After leaving town hall, I went on up to my farm and tended to my crops there, finding some small solace in the physical exertion. Afterwards, I returned to the town hall and completed the paperwork for our separation, taking two sets of copies—one for my records and one to deliver to Cam. Then I stopped by Dr. Ayame's clinic and explained to her that after the morning's fiasco, I was planning to divorce Cam, and that I'd picked her to meet our counseling requirement. She was distressed by the news, though not entirely surprised after what she'd seen and heard. She gave me a list of available times for counseling sessions, and I told her I'd find out what times worked for Cam and make an appointment.
I returned to Bluebell, heading home first to belatedly tend to my livestock before going into town. I felt a little fearful at seeing Cam after the way he'd blown up at me that morning, but it had to be done. I walked up the stairs to the plaza and saw that his flower stall was still open, in spite of everything. Taking a deep breath, I walked up to the counter. He looked up with a smile as I approached, then scowled and turned away when he saw me approaching. I felt my stomach knot up, but I steeled myself for the upcoming interview.
Stepping in front of him at the counter, I looked at him, clearing my throat to get his attention. Without a word, I held out the paperwork showing that we were now officially, if only temporarily, separated. He took them and glanced at them, then at me, then back at the papers, his scowl deepening as he read them over. Throwing the stack of papers down and crossing his arms over his chest, he glared at me. "So. That's it, then, is it? Going back to Mikhail, I suppose?"
Even though I'd been half expecting a reaction like that, it still felt as though he'd just punched me in the stomach, and I gasped a little from the shock. "I can't go back to where I've never been," I said, sharply, lifting my chin and holding my head high. "Besides, since it seems pretty clear to me that you don't want me or our child, what possible difference could it make to you where I go or what I do?"
He just stared at me for a moment, then he turned his back to me. "None at all," he said flatly.
"Then here's a list of times that Dr. Ayame can meet with us to satisfy the requirements for divorce. When can you come?"
"What requirements?" he asked, turning to look at the paper I held out to him.
"Ina says that the requirements for divorce in either of the two towns is to complete a trial separation of at least two weeks, and complete a minimum of four one-hour counseling sessions with either Ina, Rutger, or Dr. Ayame. It doesn't matter which, but they all need to be with the same counselor. After we've done those two things, we both have to complete and sign the paperwork to have our marriage dissolved. Then you'll be rid of me."
A strange light came in his eyes as he stared at the paper in his hand. "Counseling sessions, huh?" He dropped the paper on top of the pile of other papers and turned away. "I'm too busy to think about it right now. I'll let you know."
I sighed—it seemed he wasn't going to make this easy, though I didn't understand why. I turned to leave, then turned back again. "By the way, are you coming to get your things after you close up, or should I bring them here?"
He shrugged, saying only, "Whatever, I don't care. Do what you want—that's what you'll end up doing anyway, isn't it?"
I flushed with anger, then turned on my heel and stormed off without another word. I returned to my farm and gathered up all his stuff, dumping it all into my cart. Then I tossed Cowboy's tack on top of the pile, harnessed Nimbus to the cart, and grabbed Cowboy by his halter. I walked the horses and cart back into town, scraped the contents of the cart onto the plaza in front of Cam's stall as he watched, turning purple with silent rage. Without a word, I led the horses to Grady's, where I left Cowboy in Georgia's care, explaining that she'd need to make boarding arrangements with Cam for the future. Then I returned to the farm and unhooked the cart, parking it next to the house as usual. I tended to my mare, then returned to Konohana, where I sought out Mikhail.
