Another Life || Vinny Mauro

three

Sedona

As expected, the Airbnb's cookware is very little but enough for now. There are a couple of skillets and sheet pans around that were absolutely bought at a dollar store in case people stole them on the way out. I stare at the contents in the fridge that I now semi feel hungry enough for and can't wrap my head around what to make, so I just preheat the oven and throw in one of the single serving pre-made chicken pot pies that I thought looked good and retreated to the living room.

I unlock my phone and my stomach twists at seeing Vinny's name in my phone again. "Buy a phone case," he wrote. Equally smartass-y and caring, as he always has been. I get out of the thread and put in Maddie's number in my phone, texting her so that she has my number now before getting on Target's app to begin shopping around, praising the Lord that there's one ten miles away that I can place a pickup order at.

I call every single apartment that has at least a four star rating on Google and score two tours for tomorrow by the time my food is ready. I keep hovering over Vinny's contact but talking myself down because it's too soon and he probably also needs time to process. While the food cools down, I call my lawyer.

"Amy Thompson," she greets firmly. She's technically my lawyer for in the emergency of someone saying that I was committing plagiarism or copyright infringement, but I know that she can at least refer me to a divorce lawyer.

"Hey, Amy, it's Sedona Michaels. I hope you're doing well," I say back professionally.

"Hey, Sedona! And I hope that this phone call is not because you're in trouble," she half-jokes. "New number?"

I let out a sad chuckle. "Long story short, I need a referral for a damn good divorce lawyer," I cut to the chase because time is money.

"Divorce?! From Tommy?!" she asks, clearly shocked. Tommy is a model that is well-loved in the LA area who is signed to designers like Calvin Klein. He's all body and man, but as a cautionary tale, never trust the arm candy. That's how you end up with bruised ribs and chunks of hair ripped out.

"Yeah, didn't go great," I dismiss.

"I totally understand if you do or do not want to go into the details of this, but just so that I can get you the best person for your dollar, was this an amicable decision?"

I let out a long sigh. "Considering that I fled the state because I feared for my safety, I'm going to say no."

I hear her let out one of the sad sighs that I have been dreading. Maddie already gave me plenty of it and I only told her because I just needed to rearrange my work accommodations and I trust her. "Okay. I'm so sorry you went through this, honey. I will shoot you an email with a couple of options with some small blurbs about what I know about them. I really hope that this can be a clean split. Also, if you can get into the headspace to get together evidence and written statements, that will be really helpful for whomever you choose."

"Thank you so much, Amy. You're the best as always," I dismiss.

"Anytime. I hope you have a good rest of your day," she dismisses me back before the line goes dead. I take a few deep breaths before going to get my food and sit down.

Four years ago

"Okay, I'm ready," I call out to Tommy as I walk and work my right earring into my ear. We're in New York City and heading to New York Fashion Week for a show that he's not walking in. I'm dressed my absolute best with a high-neck black dress that is floor length and my hair in a high ponytail, gold earrings and bracelets accessorizing the whole thing. I look as rich as we are for once.