Jaded

Modern Family

Wednesday morning seemed to be surprising normal for William, besides supporting both David and Ann at work and home respectively. It was too normal. William had discussed the future with Ann in the morning, she said that his hospitality was very kind but when her leg had healed that she'd return to her home. This disappointed William. He wasn't entirely sure why, he'd originally hated the lady, but deep down inside he was beginning to like her. He liked her a lot.

David still had his issues to deal with, he'd been in contact with a specialist divorce lawyer looking for legal advice. He'd dealt with it all so well, William found his silent strength admirable. When both his mother and grandmother passed away he was an emotional wreck. It was well hidden under a stoic shell the second time but despite this was dying a slow, painful, miserable death on the inside. David was just dealing with it a controlled manner.

Then it all changed. When William returned home from work in the afternoon was greeted by a male and female at his doorstep, their disgruntled expressions suggested that they would be trouble. They were both dressed in formal attire, their suitcases housed various documents of some kind or possibly laptop to conduct business on. William exited his car, slamming the door to gain his 'vistors' attention. They both jolted and turned around from the door staring towards him. The woman brushed away her shoulder length hair with her hand before producing a smile as real as her botox filled lips. She then held out her hand expectantly, William gave a firm handshake to her out of politeness, not respect.

"Hello, it is ever so nice to meet you Mr..." Even her voice made him want to punch her.

"Wilson." He begrudgingly replied with little interest.

"It's nice to meet you Mr Wilson, I have a small favour to ask you. Do you know the current resident of number 78?" She said, pointing across the road towards Ann's home. She had presumed that he was too incompetent to know, William's anger rose further.

"Yes, I do. Mrs Clarke is staying with me because..."

"Oh is she. Do you mind if me and my associate come in?" She butted in before he'd even had a chance to explain the situation.

"Of course, come in." He hastily said as he fumbled with his keys.

He entered his home, feeling highly uncomfortable. These people had just intruded into his humble abode, he had presumed that they were here about the divorce but he wasn't entirely sure. He was most unnerved by the 'associate' who was very tall and presumably very strong. He was probably just there to intimidate them into paying whatever bill they had to pay. William bit his lip, suddenly he felt very weak and unimpressive. Luckily for him, Clare was over at a friend's for the afternoon, because she would've probably cried if she even saw this man. He didn't want to have to ever see her cry again, not after last time.

"Ann, there's some people here who want to see you. I think they're here about the divorce." He called to the living room. A faint reply confirmed that she was awake. Leading his two 'house guests' through his home towards the living room, he glanced back occasionally, they muttered to each other at an inaudible level.

Ann was resting her leg again, contently reading a novel. She looked up from her novel and quickly placed it on William's side table. She produced a fake smile, shaking both of their hands in dignified manner. She clear her throat before beginning, "Ah, you must be the divorce lawyers that I've heard so much about from my husband in his many, many rants." The distaste was made clear from the start.

They explained how the process of the divorce would happen, speaking carefully and slowly as if Ann was stupid. William restrained himself from acting upon his thoughts, he was a gentleman and he planned on remaining to be one.

"Your husband has agreed with our firm that you should pay for half of the costs. We have the best rates in the whole of the area, so you will be paying only one thousand five hundred dollars! Is that alright with you?" The lady, Miss Brown, asked her.

Ann took a moment of thought, "Yes, it will be fine." She reluctantly stated.

"Good, good. We need the payment by Friday, the banking details are all on the form. Oh, is that the time?! I'm sorry we need to go onto our next appointment. Good day to you!" She spoke rapidly as she gathered her stuff and headed off as quickly as she appeared. Her 'bodyguard' followed in suit.

William closed his door with a sigh before returning to the living room. Unsurprisingly, Ann was shaking. William took a seat in his grandmother's rocking chair.

"Look Ann, I know times are tough but..." William began.

"Will, I don't have that amount of money." She whispered.

"Ann, you don't realise how much this neighbourhood cares about you, do you?"

"What?"

"I'll put some money into this for you, my salary won't stretch to the full cost but I'm sure that when everyone hears what happened they will help. I've only just moved here but I've already got the impression that you've done a lot for everybody."He reassured her, her face began to look less frightened, less alone.

"Really?"

"There is light at the end of the tunnel, everything will be alright." He said, gazing deeply into her eyes as the sun set silently behind them.