Finding You

Divorce never looked so good.

I roll my wrists as Maya runs around looking for a place to potty. She's so cute when she runs like that. She's so tiny now but she'll be huge soon. I can feel it. Poor Husky is doomed to Georgia weather. I smile as she squats and finally pees and poops. We can go in now. She has doggy daycare tomorrow so I'll be a little late to work but I think it's fine. I stayed lated today.

We walk back upstairs and I open the door, releasing Maya to run amongst the apartment. I pull my laptop out of the bag and sigh as I open my email. It's now or never. We have to be done with each other. I open the divorce papers first, ignoring the new email. I print them out and take my time reading them over and signing in the one place that I missed. I will be so happy to be done with this whole mess. 5 years is too long to spend with someone who dislikes you as much as Alex did. It's weird to think that we used to be such good friends. I place them into the slot and click scan. It takes a minute for them to pop up on the screen. I make sure to check everything for any mistakes and send them back to Alex.

From: Alex Robinson
Subject: I miss you

Natalie, I miss you. Not as my wife or even as a housemate, but as my friend. Like things were before. I just want to tell you everything all the time. I don't know how that makes you feel but I long for that friendship. So I'm proposing we go back to how things were before. I'll start...

I've been seeing someone since July of last year, before we decided to separate. We have decided to make things real and official-I proposed! That's why I was pushing this divorce on you so much! I know it's soon and I know you probably feel betrayed but once I knew things were serious, I made sure that we were separated. I don't think that I cheated on you though since I waited till after you moved out to sleep with her.

Anyways, I think you'd like her. She reminds me of you sometimes. I just had to get that off of my chest.

I hope you're doing okay. I would love to hear something other than, "leave me alone".

I wipe my face. He's so dumb. I've known about the other girl the whole time. I don't know why he's spilling his guts to me now of all times. I pull at the skin on my bottom lip and cringe at the sudden metallic taste. I hate when I do that. I hate it. My eyes move to the message that popped up in the chat box.

RadicalBradical: I'm looking for a Natalie Robinson. Funny, tragic backstory, possibly barefoot? Sound familiar?

I smile at the message and close the email from Alex.

Me: Sounds familiar to me but the Natalie I know isn't funny as much as she is awkward. Might be hard to hunt her down.

I send the message and sit back on the couch. Maya jumps into my lap and sits, blocking the keyboard. I push the laptop forward and let her get situated before moving the laptop back into a comfortable position.

RadicalBradical: Dang. I was really hoping to catch her. My dog is in desperate need of a doggy date. His girlfriend just left him and he's sad. I think he needs a rebound.

I laugh and roll my eyes.

Me: Poor pup. I'll have Maya check her schedule and get back to you. When were you thinking? She's a busy dog.

RadicalBradical: I was thinking Thursday afternoon but get back to me if that doesn't work.

Me: You got lucky. Maya had a cancellation. I'll pencil you in for, say 6?

RadicalBradical: Sounds good to me. I'll see you then.

He goes offline and I scratch Maya's head. She's the cutest little puppers. I close my email and open my camera to chat with Jordan. I click on her name and it rings a few times before connecting.

"I love you but this better be good!" She was sleeping, I mean it makes sense. It is midnight.

"I met someone tonight and he's everything I wished he would be." I tell her and she sits up in bed. Maya looks up from the noise.

"Do I know him?" She asks ecstatic. She knows how picky I am now. I don't date people. I don't make plans unless I'm serious. I also can't tell her who he is. She would strongly recommend not seeing him again. She tried dating a celeb once and he was a jerk. Dropped her as soon as he made it into a movie.

"Yes and no but it's too soon to share him with you. I just wanted to talk. I can't sleep and I just made plans to go with him on a walk with our dogs."

"He has a dog? Did he meet Maya?" She wiggles her eyebrows and I roll my eyes.

"Of course not. We stood at my door. He didn't even ask to come in."

"What a gentleman." Jordan says sarcastically. I smile and bit my lip, I had a really good time tonight with Brad. "You look happy though. Are you sure you just met him? Is it Thomas?" She guesses and I shake my head.

"Not Thomas. He did however send me some weird emails tonight. Did you tell him that my divorce is about to be official or something? He seemed like he knew or something."

"I might have mentioned that you were signing the forms today and they would be sent in tonight or tomorrow." She looks innocent with her big almond eyes but I know better.

"I'm not sleeping with Thomas."

"Didn't say you were. Just if given the option, ride his face." I scoff and blush. God, she is killing me.

"Jordan! That's not right."

"You can't tell me that you haven't thought about those lip downstairs. They are just delicious." I roll my eyes at her.

"Go back to bed. I'll see you in the morning. I'll be a little late since Maya has daycare tomorrow." I tell her and prop my elbow on the side of the couch, my head resting in my hand.

"Do you want a ride? Be my excuse to be late?" She smiles deviously.

"Pick me up from the café at 7:30." I smile and she gives me a thumbs up. "You're a goddess babes." She hangs up and I close the computer, sitting it away from me. I pick Maya up and sit her on my chest. She places her nose against mine and I shiver at the cold.

"You're my favorite pups in the whole world." I kiss her and she opens her mouth to lick my face. I laugh and wipe the slobber off.

"Wanna go out for one last walk and go to bed?" I ask and she lays her head down.

I stand with Maya in my arms and slide my slippers on. I carry her down the stairs and sit her in the grass. She won't go far in this weather. She uses the bathroom and I let her lead us up the stairs. I smile as she struggles and pick her up, kissing her head. My watch starts ringing as I sit her back down on the ground, I glance at it and smile at the name. I haven't heard from Dan in a month. Not since they had a concert in Florida and asked me to come.

"Hey Dan!" I say as the watch connects.

"Natalie! My girl! How are you?" He asks and I smile, walking to my bedroom.

"Oh, I'm great! Just made my divorce official." I tell him and lay down, Maya jumping on the bed and laying beside me.

"Thank god. It's been too long. You ready to come out on tour with us?" He asks and I laugh.

"No way. Good try though."

"Can I at least have you monitor our social media and posting?" He asks and I sigh.

"Only because you asked. Shoot me an email and the contract and I'll look it over tomorrow. I've got to go to bed soon." I tell him and lift my arm so Maya can cuddle against me.

"One more thing. We have a show in Atlanta next month and I would love to have you on the setup and teardown teams. I've got the passes already so you'd be in charge of everything that you want. Come hang out with us guys and maybe talk some more about coming on tour or at least marketing team." He offers and I take a deep breath.

"I'll be there. Include it all in the email and I'll look it over and get it back to you, okay? Maya says goodnight." I tell Dan and he laughs.

"Goodnight Natalie and Maya. I look forward to talking to you more." He hangs up and I slide my watch off, putting it on the charger.