Chapter 5: Counterpunch

Barb takes some time to cool down before she reaches for her cell phone. She enters Maggie’s number and a short message.

“The shit hit the fan. Nick just said he is serving me divorce papers tomorrow. He expects we’ll be in mediation within two weeks.”

Barb punches send and waits for a reply. It only takes a few seconds.

“Oh, Barb, I’m so sorry! It sounded like you guys may have been in a rough patch, but ... this?”

Barb quickly enters, “Yeah, been tough for over a year, but this is unexpected. When I said we could talk he only said, ‘fuck talking’.”

She sends the message and continues to type.

“You mentioned a surprise party? Is the surprise ready?”

This time a reply takes a bit longer. Barb is tempted to more explicitly ask her question when her phone chirps.

“Yes, the surprise is in place. If you are interested in helping you’ll just need to do your part before the party.”

Barb sighs in relief. “Understood, and I am interested. Will be in touch.”

Barb deletes the exchange she just had with Maggie and then puts her phone on the nightstand. She collapses onto the bed and stares at the ceiling, thinking about what had happened the past twelve months that could have led them to this point?

The first indication of something amiss happened when they learned her hospital would be closing their two smaller remote locations and moving into the one new, larger remote facility that was being built. She was told she had two options. She could either revert to a full-time nursing role and lose the administrator title she had been working under for almost two years, or she could be laid-off and receive a severance package. After talking with Nick she decided she would take the package.

The surprise happened the day after she informed the hospital of her decision. Nick came home and stated that he submitted a request to be transferred to the Chicago area. Barb was shocked. They had moved into their current house less than two years before and had just gotten settled. Now he wanted to uproot them and move so suddenly?

Not only did Nick put in for a transfer, but he was the one that drove most of the conversations about the move, specifically where they would live. Days after the news broke, he told Barb that he found the house they would buy. It was a bit older, but it had been on the market for several years and they could get a great deal.

Barb looked around the room. This house. This was the house that Nick was hell-bent on buying right after he decided they would move. They argued for weeks. Barb tried to convince him that it was too much house until they knew she had a full-time job. He said that nursing was always in high demand and she would have something within days.

Fate was on Nick’s side. The price of the house dropped almost ten percent the weekend they came to town to meet with a realtor. They made an offer after looking at only three houses.

After they had a contract on the house everything seemed to approach a more normal routine. But when the time came to move Nick was on edge. Everything Barb did was met with ridicule. The move itself was a constant series of eruptions by Nick.

Barb then thinks, then we met Maggie and Ricky. Nick would do such a good job of putting on a happy face when with them that they had no idea they were struggling. She pouts at the two-faced nature of her husband.

“Bastard,” she says out loud.

Not only did Nick’s attitude change, but he would creep around the house and yard at all hours of the night. He didn’t think Barb noticed, but he wasn’t always the quietest when he slipped out of the bed and did his nocturnal adventures.

Barb continued to ruminate on memories from the past year, but never felt confident she knew what led Nick to his current state. The last thought she considered was another woman. She seriously considered it, but after long debate, came to the conclusion that another woman was not the source of their predicament.

Barb was off work Monday morning. She paced the house. Waiting. When there was a sharp knock at the front door she jumped slightly. She looked to the clock and saw that it was 9:48.

“Hello?” she says as she opens the front door.

The courier standing at her door asks, “Are you Mrs. Martz?”

Barb confirms her identify and is then handed a large envelope. “Mrs. Martz, this is for you.” The courier turns on his heels and returns to his car before speeding out of the neighborhood.

Barb sits in her reclining chair and pulls on the tab to open the envelope. She tugs out a sheaf of papers. The center of top page is emblazoned with Harrison Dick’s logo. She takes her time reading the document. When she finishes she reaches for her cell phone and dials Maggie’s number.

“Hello?” answers Maggie.

“It’s official, I got papers this morning,” says Barb without preamble.

“Are you OK?” asks Maggie.

“No, I’m mad as hell. The son-of-a-bitch is asking for pretty much everything – the house, most of the interior belongings, 90% of the checking and investment accounts.”

“How can he do that?” says Maggie.

“A couple of reason. First, he says he earns the majority of our household income. That’s true. Factoring in a bonus, especially when he makes a sizable one, he makes double or more of my salary. Second, he claims a lack of intimacy in the relationship. That’s utter bullshit. And finally, the real kicker, he’s claiming a pattern of infidelity.”

“What! The pictures?” Maggie sounds incredulous.

“I get the feeling that there is more to it than pictures alone,” replies Barb. “It reads like he has some kind of ‘evidence’ to prove that I have been cheating. Maybe some kind of private investigator?”

Maggie immediately says, “We’ve got a friend on the police force. I’ll call him and ask about the local PI scene. Where one would go if you were looking for a shady PI.”

“OK,” says Barb somewhat skeptically. “But heads up, the case is much sooner than expected. I go to mediation this Friday at 11:00.”

“I’ll call now,” says Maggie. “Do you need anything else?”

Barb starts to speak, “I, uh, well would it be...”

“What do you need, Barb?” coaxes Maggie.

“Would it be possible for me to stay with you the rest of the week? I just can’t stay in the same house as Nick.”

“Of course. Come right to our house after work. I’ll have the spare bedroom ready. Just park on the right side of the driveway. Ricky is working from home for a few days and won’t need to use his car.”

Barb expresses her gratitude and says she’ll be off work by 5:00 and should be at the house by 5:20.

The rest of the week is busy. On Tuesday Barb calls a well-known divorce attorney and is able to see her in person the same day.

“My name is Barb. I’m here for a 3:30 meeting with Ms. Davies,” says Barb as she pauses at the receptionist’s desk. The ancient woman behind the desk pushes a button and announces the visitor. They hear, “Send her in,” in response.

Barb nods her head at the receptionist and circles around the desk to enter the door at the rear of the room. She opens it to find a small but elegant office inhabited by a small but elegant woman. The woman rises from her chair and approaches Barb. She extends her arm and introduces herself.

“I know it is under unfortunate circumstances, but it is nice to meet you. I am Gertrude Davies, but please, call me Greta.”

Barb shakes her hand, offers her own introduction, and then lowers herself into the chair indicated. Greta returns to her chair behind the desk.

Greta starts, “I understand your husband has served you papers, which I did get the copy you emailed, that you are scheduled for a mediation meeting this Friday at 11:00, and your husband has employed the services of Harrison Dick.”

“That pretty much sums it up,” says Barb.

“I have represented several spouses that have used Mr. Dick. He’s good, but not unbeatable. Let’s talk.”

Greta takes a large yellow notepad from a desk drawer and starts asking questions and taking notes.

“Nick asserts that there is a lack of intimacy in the bedroom. There’s not much he can do with that claim as all the evidence is hearsay – what he says and what you say.”

Barb nods.

“The second and third claims, though, those may be more problematic.”

“None of it’s true,” Barb blurts out.

“It’s OK,” Greta comforts, “but Nick claims he has proof.”

Barb pauses and gives her attorney a steady stare. She eventually tells Greta about the photos that were placed on her computer and the email account at the anonymous provider. She also explains that a friend has been asking around about the local private investigators.

“That’s not a great idea,” cautions Greta. “It is a small community in this town and they can be protective of one another.”

“My friend has a friend on the police force. He’s been quietly asking around. I trust that he’ll be discreet.”

Greta says, “OK, as long as that’s all it is. Tell me anything you hear as soon as possible.”

“Of course,” says Barb. She pauses and then adds, “Hypothetically speaking, what if I knew of evidence that Nick was doing what he accused me of?”

Greta’s eyes raise. “Hypothetically speaking,” she confirms, “what type of evidence are you talking about?”

Barb gives Greta the broad strokes. That she has a feeling he may have been collecting pictures of women.

“Well,” Greta starts, “that could be damning on Friday, but as it is only hypothetical, it’s not necessarily something we can use. Let’s see what we learn in the next few days. We can make a final decision on Friday morning.”

Barb stands and offers her hand to Greta.

“Thank you. You make me feel much better about Friday.”

Great warns, “Don’t get too relaxed, and expect a curve ball. I’ve gone up against Dick several times. He always has an ace up his sleeve.”

Barb’s ebullience deflates a notch. Greta says, “By the same token, don’t feel defeated. From what you’ve told me, we’ve got a good counter case. Keep me posted on any updates. I think we have a great chance to get a more equitable split of assets.”

Barb offers a wan smile and leaves the office. She gets to the house before Maggie but finds Ricky in his office.

“Hi, Ricky,” she says when she sticks her head in his office. “What time will Maggie be home?”

He says that she should be home in about an hour.

“Is it OK if start making dinner? I saw chicken and veggies in the refrigerator.”

“I’m sure Maggie would appreciate that,” says Ricky. “I’ll be done in about thirty minutes.”

Barb makes dinner and the three then retire to the living room to watch TV. The rest of the week follows a similar uneventful pattern. Work, dinner, and then television and talk. Maggie and Ricky listen to Barb as she recounts the good and bad times with Nick. They also talk endlessly about what may happen on Friday. When they get any information from their police friend they add that to their discussions.

On Friday morning the three have breakfast together. As they clean their dishes Ricky goes to Barb and gives her a hug.

“Good luck today. We’ll be eager to hear the news,” says Ricky. “I need to get going. I have an 8:00 meeting.”

Barb says, “Thanks, Ricky. For everything. I’ll be in touch as soon as I can. By the way, I parked behind Maggie. She said you had to leave early this morning.”

The two women finish getting ready and leave the house together. Maggie is headed to work. Barb has a meeting with Greta before they go to the mediation.

“Thank you so much, Maggie,” Barb starts, a small tear starting to form. “I don’t think I could have survived the week without you.”

Maggie takes Barb in her arms. “Yes, you would have. You are a smart, strong woman. I’m glad we were here to help, but whatever happens you are going to be OK.”

Barb breaks contact and smiles. “Thanks. Again. I’ll call.” She then spins and gets into her car. She waves goodbye to Maggie as she backs out of the driveway.

Barb and Greta drive to Harrison Dick’s office in separate cars. They enter the parking garage below the building and park in adjacent spots.

“Deep breath. It will be fine. Let me do the talking. Only answer when I directly indicate you should say something.” Greta is giving final instructions and reminders to Barb as they enter.

The two walk one flight of stairs to enter the lobby. Greta had been to Dick’s office many times and was no longer impressed with the image he projected with his office building.

“Don’t let the opulence fool you. It’s only in the lobby, the conference room we’ll be in, and of course, Dick’s office,” said Greta as she led Barb to an elevator.

When the doors close and Greta hits the button for the top floor she adds, “And think about it this way. All this show comes from the money he’s making screwing people like you in countless divorces the past two decades.”

That sobered Barb. Greta could see the resolve settled on her client’s face.

“That-a-girl. Now let’s go kick some ass,” says Greta as the door opens for the penthouse.

The two are met by a young blonde receptionist with big tits showing plenty of cleavage and a very short miniskirt as they leave the elevator.

“Good morning. Mr. Dick instructed me to escort you to the conference room.”

The blonde turns and out of habit adds an extra flip of her hair and offers an exaggerated sway of her hips as she leads them to their destination.

She waves them to seats on the far side of the table.

“I’ll let Mr. Dick know you are here. Can I get you anything while you wait?”

Greta puts her bag on the table and says that they are fine. When the blonde leaves Greta tells Barb to get comfortable.