WORK IN PROGRESS The Parent Contract

Step 2

Toni

I gratefully walked to my office under my own steam.  Maybe I was pushing it, but I was enjoying the sense of control over my own body.  I’d lost that in the past few days.

I pressed down on the handle and opened the door to my refuge. Not a single bit of paper was out of place. My project for the future.

I’d had this idea a few months ago,  but now it was time to put it into place.  I was going to take a bit more time to get things started, but Drake wrecked that with his announcement.  Who did he think he is anyway.  Toni is too weak to work,  let’s make her a mother.  Arsehole. Anyone who had anything to do with real mothers would know parenting is the hardest job in the world.  There’s no time off, and it’s mentally all consuming.

This project was a much better idea,  and also, it was a way to bring in some money.  Along with the proceeds from the divorce,  and the income we’ll produce from the project,  we should be able to remain very comfortable.

I sat down in the seat and sighed with relief.  It’s time. I reached for the headset,  and opened the laptop.  Time to organise some virtual meetings.

A few hours later, Amy dragged me out to go to the doctors appointment. She’d driven the car up to the door, but insisted that I use my wheelchair to scoot up to the driver’s seat. She packed it away while I made myself comfortable,  and then she jumped in the passengers seat.  As we approached the gate, the seagulls started. 
“Mrs Lonsdale!”
“Do you have anything to say about the rumours?”
“Are those photos real?”
“Can we get a quote, Mrs Lonsdale?”

I pressed the button to push down my window and clearly yelled.
“Is everyone and everything out the way? I don’t want to run over anything.”
Then one reporter asked an excellent question. 
“Where are you off to?”
“I’m off to the doctors, please let the staff know if you need anything.” I responded. I saw several eyes light up as they heard my response. Feeding the seagulls was never so easy.  I turned into the street carefully,  and pulled up the window.
“How long do you think it will take to appear on the websites?” Amy chuckled.
I shrugged.
“I might chat to Amanda about the timing for the divorce.” I thought about it, “maybe not,  maybe I’ll talk to Jacinta about that first.”
“Generate noise?”

I nodded, “That,  and also the sooner I separate myself from the Lonsdales, the better.  The name is going to be mud for a long time if I have my way.”

With that thought in mind,  I changed my details at the doctors surgery.  The check up went well.  Doc wasn’t exactly happy about recent circumstances.  Apparently he’d received the gossip, and it was a topic of conversation. I simply glanced at Amy and advised the doctor that I was seeking a divorce and had already changed my contact details.  He smiled,  and relaxed.
“So this is under control?”
I nodded, “yes,  yes it is.  Apparently there’s a Team Toni helping me now.  The fact that they’re all getting paid by me in some way or another had nothing to do with their enthusiasm though.” I assured him.
He found that funny.
“Put me shown for a t shirt when they get printed.” He chuckled.

We left and headed for Jacinta’s office.  I wanted to listen to the voice mails in her presence,  and give her the copies of the text messages from Drake,  and Mother Dumbest.

I  made the right decision to listen to them in company.  I would have caved otherwise.  He meant it,  every word. He missed me,  he was confused as to why I wasn’t happy,  but he’d fix it if this wasn’t what I wanted.  I rolled my eyes through tears at that comment. Bit hard to fix this one, Love.  But I could tell the Dumbarse believed every word he said.  His tells were in his voice,  and every unconscious indicator of truthfulness was there.  This whole thing was someone elses idea, and he was stupid enough to go along.  Stupid games equal stupid prizes, Drake, and you got lumped with the most stupid of them.  A baby you don’t want.

In the middle of this came a call I was waiting for.  Jacinta raised her eyebrow at Amanda’s name on the screen.
“Answer it.” I said, tilting my head back and wiping my tears. I drew in a breath and let it out in a huff.
Hi Amanda,  before you speak please be aware that you’re on speaker and in the room is my assistant, and my lawyer.”
“Oh Gawd, am I really that scary?! We’ve only really talked once.”
I barked out a laugh. That was an excellent response from her.
“Actually it’s a good thing that everyone is there.  I’ve just been fielding calls from some prominent disability organisations, all wanting input into my disability awareness campaign. I have to ask… what campaign?”

“Well you are writing an article about companies restricting access to disabled people by ensuring they can’t physically access the buildings?”
Amanda chuckled,
“So you’re giving me access to experts to make this an exposé rather than a generic gossip column? What’s in it for you?”
“Help me.” I paused, “I’m going to approach my former colleagues in parliament about the issues I’ve noted in the community since getting long COVID. I will need media pressure to help build my case.”
Amanda voice turned caramel.
“So you’re becoming a lobbyist?”
“Who better,  and for a cause I embody.” I replied.
“Who’s paying you?” The caramel costs voice was still in place
“Who have you been talking to?”
I said sweetly, indicating all the CEOs of the disability organisations she’d been talking to.
Amanda burst out laughing.
“You’re amazing. I’m in!”

“Before you go Amanda, can I pick your brain? My name is Jacinta Clarke,  I’m Toni’s lawyer.”
Amanda paused,
“Sure, what’s the question?”
“When would be the best time to announce that divorce has been applied for? Sooner or let the  chaos due down a bit?”
Amanda paused.
“Sooner would give credence to the rumours,  and separate Toni from the Lonsdales. But in thinking two birds with one stone.  How do you feel about an on screen interview to announce the campaign, and we can drop in a question the end so you only have to give a quick answer clarifying that you’re doing that.” Amanda’s caramel voice had melted into a snappy business tone.
“That sounds good.” Jacinta looked at me,  and nodded.
“Excellent. I’ll get things set up, and let you know.”
We all thanked eachother and hung up.
Amy looked at me.
“So I’m your personal Assistant?” She asked.
“Of course, you’re doing the job… I just need to pay you the right wage now.” I frowned at her.
“OK, but I’m not getting pregnant for you.” She gave me a cheeky grin as she said that.
I threw one of Jacinta’s couch cushions at her.