Chapter 3: Back in Mobile, Alabama

Sue---I knew something was wrong the minute we walked into the office. There was one of the paralegals sitting at my desk and she did not get up. All she said was, “Mr. Todd (the owner and Paul’s father-in-law) wants to see both of you in his office.”

“He’ll have to wait. There is something I need to take care of...”

He was interrupted by Mr. Todd, who had heard us come in and was standing in his doorway.

“Both of you, in my office NOW!” he shouted.

Paul started to say something about us being at lunch and there was a problem with his car, when Mr. Todd exploded, “You lying, cheating motherfuckers! You have obviously not seen the video posted on our web site. First you Sue, you’re fired! Get the fuck out of my office! I hope your husband divorces your cheating ass. In fact, I’ll offer to pay for one of the best divorce lawyers in the state just to see him fuck over you. Paul, you can pack your desk also. And don’t even think of going home. I have sent that video to my daughter. She told me to tell you that she is going to shoot you on site. By the way, that car you say is ‘yours’, is leased through the company. I’ve already sent a wrecker to have it towed back to the dealership. Now both of you get the fuck out of my office and don’t ever let me see you again!”

As I was getting in my car to go home Paul ran up. “Don’t worry, that old bastard will cool down in a couple of days.” He walked back up on the sidewalk waiting for his ride.

He was wrong, Mr. Todd did not cool down. In fact he got even madder! He reported Paul to the Bar Association and tried to have him disbarred! Paul got a 6 month suspension and a divorce complete with alimony and child support for two kids.

I went home that day and waited for Cody. When I saw the missing suitcases, I knew he was not coming home, ever! I cried for two days, wondering how I had been such a fool, believing Paul was going to make me his executive assistant.

I had trouble finding another job. It seemed that everybody in town knew Mr. Todd and did not want to make him mad by hiring the woman who had broken up his daughter’s marriage. I eventually moved back to my mother’s house in Possum Creek. I got the job I had when I was in high school, checker at the local Piggly Wiggly grocery store.

Cody filed for divorce. I went to talk to the attorney when I was served the papers. I tried explaining that I did not want a divorce and wanted to work out our problems. She explained that I could either sign the ‘No-Fault’ papers or that in the State of Alabama Cody would file under the ‘fault procedure’. She reminded me of the video. I signed. That part of my life was over.