Chapter 6: Aftermath

After the unexpected, and overwhelmingly, positive outcome handed down by Mr. Trulen, Barb joins Greta in her car to chat for a few minutes before they go their separate ways.

“That was very generous of you to give Nick a few more days in the house,” says Greta.

Barb cannot keep the smile off her face. “I’ve been staying with neighbors, friends, since Monday. A few more nights won’t matter, and it will give Nick time to get all his stuff out of the house so I don’t have to see him again.”

“Are these the same friends that had a friend on the force? The ones asking around about Peter?” asks Greta.

“One and the same,” replies Barb.

“Tell them that they have done a tremendous service to the divorcees in town that have spouses using Dick and a handful of other slime bucket lawyers. Of course, there are plenty of other PIs that are ready to do the dirty work, but he was the one that regularly crossed the line.”

The two women talk about the logistics of taking Nick’s name of the banking accounts, or even closing them altogether and reopening accounts in her name so he doesn’t have the account numbers.

Greta says, “Do you think Nick will do anything stupid? Try and empty an account or do something to the house?”

Barb quickly starts to answer in the negative and then stops. “Until a few weeks ago I would say absolutely not. But recently? He’s been saying things like, ‘it’s my house, and you’re going to be out soon,’ so honestly, I don’t know how he’ll react.”

There is a moment of silence as the two think about next steps.

“If you have time this afternoon,” says Greta, “I would recommend you change as many financial accounts into your name only. Just in case.”

Barb stares blankly out of the car. The ramifications of today’s decision are starting to sink in. Greta sees the change and takes Barb’s hand.

“Honey, the hard part is over. Now it is a matter of executing on what you know needs to be done.”

Barb seems to snap back into the moment, but is still shocked.

“I know, but...” her voice trails off as she loses herself in thought.

“By the time you go to the bank,” says Greta, “you’ll be getting to your friend’s house when they get off work.”

Greta gives her hand a tight squeeze.

“You are going to be fine. Go run this errand. Call me if you need anything. I am going to call Harrison and figure out the logistics of the brokerage account.”

Barb nods and offers a small smile. “Thanks, Greta. It may take some time, but I’ll be OK.”

“Ahh, it’s the weekend,” says Ricky as he enters the kitchen and sees Maggie at the table.

“It is,” she says. “Did you get that project done or is going to be waiting for you on Monday.”

“Monday. And Tuesday, and well, the whole week, I think. Yesterday we were told all of the servers needed to be updated and not just the older ones that are more susceptible. It’s why I’m calling it a day a few minutes early.”

They hear a key in the front door and then Barb’s voice. “Hello?”

“We’re in the kitchen, Barb,” yells Maggie.

Barb comes into the kitchen a bundle of opposites. Her makeup has run and she looks a wreck, but she’s smiling and has a bounce in her step.

Maggie is the first to speak. “It looks like you’ve been crying, but you’re also smiling, so I hope that means the news is good?”

Barb lets out a small squeal and runs to Maggie and gives her a giant hug.

“It’s great news. I got a mediator that isn’t a Harrison Dick fanboy, and with the evidence we had, he flipped Nick’s proposal and is giving me effectively 90% of everything!”

Ricky lets out a whoop of victory while Maggie leans back into Barb and gives her another hug.

“That is absolutely fantastic,” says Maggie.

“And,” says Barb, “Greta said that your assistance was invaluable in helping nail Peter’s PI firm. There is going to be an investigation into all of his cases, especially the ones that were initiated by Mr. Dick.”

“All we did was make a few phone calls,” says Ricky.

“Even so, Greta said I should give you a big congratulations, which in my mind includes dinner. Where do you want to go? Think five-star. It’s all on me tonight.”

Maggie and Ricky exchange a look, then Maggie says, “I’m thinking Lucella’s. It’s where we first went to dinner, it’s our home away from home for meals, and if we leave now we can beat the dinner rush.”

“That works for me,” says Barb. “Give me ten minutes to freshen up and I’ll be ready.”

Barb scoots out of the kitchen to freshen her makeup and change out of her suit. Maggie goes to the sink to wash the few dishes that accumulated throughout the day while Ricky goes to change out of the sweatpants and sweatshirt he’d been wearing all day.

Ricky drives them to the restaurant, and as expected, they beat the rush and get a quiet table near the rear of the main dining room. They see Helen and exchange brief hellos, but tonight she is working the front side of the main room. After being seated they order drinks and food.

“OK, so tell us what happened?” asks Maggie.

Barb starts by describing Dick’s office building, and then his delay tactic. Then the introduction of the mediator and his dismissal of the first claim, followed by a blow-by-blow account of the infidelity claim and their response.

“I thought Nick was going to get what he wanted, but then Greta lays out what we had step-by-step and the mediator couldn’t ignore it. Nick lost his shit and we got thrown out of the room for almost an hour before we’re called back for the decision.”

Another round of congratulations and clinking of glasses ensues.

“That’s great, Barb,” says Ricky.

“Yes, truly,” says Maggie. “We are so happy for you.”

Barb suddenly looks startled. “Oh, I’m so sorry, I forgot to say...”

“What is it?” asks Maggie.

“I gave Nick three more nights in the house. Is it OK if I stay with you until Monday?”

Maggie and Nick laugh heartily then say in unison, “Of course.”

Barb leans back in her seat and sighs deeply.

“Thank you. Seriously, not only for letting me stay a few more nights, but for everything. Being there all week as I talked through so many irrelevant details, helping with getting info on Peter’s firm, tonight.”

She holds her glass out as Maggie and Ricky gently tap their glasses against hers.

“It sounds like you were done by mid-afternoon. Did you go out with Greta?” asks Ricky.

Barb then continues her narrative and explains that on Greta’s advice she went to the bank.

“Actually, I went to a new bank. Nick chose our current one and I never liked our primary accountant. I opened an account in my name only at a new bank and then wrote a check to transfer all but $100 in checking and $100 in savings from the old accounts into the new ones.”