Family Bonds

Chapter 20, Episode 1

Trish was cutting roses in the back garden when she heard off-key whistling. Richard. She turned. He had taken a seat on the garden bench and was smiling at her. She glanced at her watch.

"Isn't it a bit early for you to have left the office? It's barely three o'clock."

"Other times I've come home before six."

She rested her hands on her hips. "This isn't your home anymore, Richard."

He grimaced. "It is if you forget about getting that infernal divorce."

"Nothing infernal about it."

"Where's the paperwork?" He seemed to gloat that it hadn't been delivered.

She leaned over to pick up the basket containing the roses. "You'll get it soon enough."

Richard reached for the basket. "Let me carry that for you, hon. I came over to talk. Divorce is such a drastic action. We don't need that. We've been married more than twenty years. What will your friends say?"

"My friends will be thrilled after I tell them I finally got smart. You're worried about your business colleagues. Admit it, Richard. That's what bothers you."

His voice took on a plaintive tone. "I told you it won't happen again. If you want me to apologize, I will."

She pulled the basket from his hands as she reached the back deck. "And you expect me to believe you?"

His brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed. Those cold gray eyes. Had he glared at Jane's mother like that? "Why didn't you help Teresa?"

Trish's words seemed to shock him. "Who?" He stepped sideways.

"The mother of your daughter. Back when I was growing up, men who got women pregnant took responsibility."

"Chet's father never did."

"And you know why! He died."

"I never knew about the kid."

"You raped her. Was she afraid to go to the police? Did you threaten her?"

Richard's face turned a mottled red, and he shoved his fists in his pockets. "Is that what her kid told you? Or Chet?" When she didn't reply, he continued. "I didn't really know her." He dropped his eyes when Trish continued to stare at him.

"You took advantage of her."

"We were at a Christmas party, Trish. Drinking, having a good time." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Champagne makes it better?"

"What makes you think she didn't come on to me?" he smirked.

The basket of flowers thudded onto the deck. "Don't you dare infer it was her fault. I'm not buying that. You were a lot bigger, a lot stronger than she was, if she was anything like Jane." She opened the slider. "I don't want you here, Richard. Leave."

But he followed her into the dining room and reached for her arm.

Trish whirled around. "Don't you touch me. Or I'll add assault to the reasons I'm suing for divorce."

He seemed taken aback by her words, by the way she stared at him. He raised his hands in surrender. "Come on, Trish. You know I'd never hurt you."

"Like you never used your belt or your fists on Eddie or Chet, especially Chet?"

He frowned again. "If he hadn't told you about that bastard girl, you never would have kicked me out," his voice rising.

"Don't you dare blame Chet! I kicked you out because of that... that woman who called, who made it so obvious you thought nothing of our marriage vows. One of many. I hate to think how many." She stalked to the front door and opened it. "Get out of here."