Playing By The Rules

The Actual Divorce

Musical Suggestion: Finally by Levi Niha

As always, when shit was going good something always happened to fuck it up. It was all good though I honestly had no problem with the way things went down. Carlos and I had been hanging out for a few months then things started to change. Carlos had met up with one of his tricks from back in the day. From what he told me she seemed nice and I believed her to be the only person who could have changed Carlos. She was a cute, little and quiet Mexican girl that he had known for some time. She lived up North Chicago and she had a small child around the age of 3 years old. From what he told me, they would mess around every now and then but she was catching feelings. His family was also familiar with her as well; I think his brother had introduced them. He would tell me about her from time to time and said that the sex with her was boring. I told him to teach her as it sounded as if she just hadn't had that much experience.

Carlos knew that there was nothing going on between us from what we were already agreed upon. Besides, I believed his family wasn't too keen on him dating Black women, which I thought may have been just another reason of why he stopped seeing the young chick. Carlos and I had a meaningful talk to talk and we had come to the agreement that our little arrangement was over. He moved out and moved in with her. I was happy for him, to be honest. I thought he finally would become a "family man". I, on the other hand, was very content with how my life was going.

I had decided to take some time for myself and I wanted to get away for my birthday. I had planned a vacation weekend with me and a few girls to kick it on South Beach in a rental. I booked a small house that slept 6 people comfortably, however there would be roommates so I had to make sure the girls who came along were chosen wisely. I didn't want another replay of my previous trip to Miami.

It was an early and rainy Sunday morning when I received a surprise that changed my life. I heard the doorbell rang and wondered who would be disturbing my peace on a Sunday morning. When I opened the door, I was taken back because it was a Deputy from the Sheriff Department.

"Yes?" I said as I opened the door.

"Are you Mrs. Melanie Baker?" He asked He stood in his uniform as the rain dripped from the brim of his hat.

"Yes, how can I help you?" I asked as I wondered in confusion.

"Ma'am I am here to serve you with divorce papers." He stated as he handed me a large manilla envelope. I smiled from ear to ear.

"Are you serious? Oh my goodness. You have given me the BEST news!" I said excitedly.

"Ma'am?" He responded.

"I've been waiting for this. This will make my birthday the best ever!" I said taking the papers from his hand. He smiled and giggled a bit.

"This is the first time I've ever had someone that was happy to receive divorce papers." He said as he looked at me with bewilderment.

"Well first time for everything. Thank you."

"Well, you have a great day." He said as he started walking away.

"Thank you, I will!" I said as I stepped back and closed the security door. I opened the envelope as I leaned against the back of the door.

It read, 'The Dissolution of Marriage between Melanie Baker and James Baker.' James had paid for the divorce. As I looked through the documents I remembered he had called me one day and left a message about his pension. He was worried if I would contest the divorce since we had been together enough years for me to take part of his pension. All I had to do was stay married to him one extra year and I would've gotten half. Even though the money sounded good, I was better than that. Not enough money in the world would have allowed me to stay married to him. I told him that I was not interested in taking his fucking pension, I was interested in being divorced from him.

After I read over the terms of the settlement, I signed it and made a few copies for my records. The divorce settlement stated we had nothing to split as we never acquired any property or other assets together. He would pay child support on a monthly basis for the twins and he would keep his pension in tact. I smiled and thought, 'My birthday weekend was now a Birthday/Divorce Party weekend!' I had decided that I would let everything hang out that weekend and have an absolute great fucking time of my motherfucking life.

I told NewYork I had received the papers when I got to work on Monday. Her reaction was priceless.

"Are fucking serious? Well damn. He paid for it?" She said as her eyes bulged damn near out their sockets.

"I guess." I said as I walked back to my office with her in tow.

" Or did she pay for it?" She asked. NewYork was asking about James' new woman. He had started seeing someone a few months back.

"I don't know, but I don't give a fuck. If she did, she's stupid as fuck. He's not my problem anymore." I answered as I opened my office and plopped down in my chair. NewYork leaned against my cubicle wall.

"Wow, she just doesn't know what she has just paid for." She said shaking her head.

"Nope, but she paid for my freedom!" I said as I snapped my fingers and did my happy dance. NewYork shook her head and walked out my office and back to her desk.