Julia sat in court waiting for her turn to be called to the stand. She was nervous and stressed. She has never been to court before, and never thought she would actually have to ever go through something like this, but there was no other way.
Peter had done many things to her during their lifetime together, and she had always forgiven him, but this time was just too much to handle.
She gave up all her dreams for him. She was the one working while he was studying. She supported them. When he finally graduated and struggled to find a job, she provided, and then when he finally found his dream job, he made her quit her job. He wanted her to stay home and provide the best care possible for their future kids.
It wasn’t long before the twins were born, and she was grateful that she didn’t have to work. She got to be the best mother in the world and spend precious time with them that she wouldn’t exchange for anything.
After the twins moved out, there wasn’t much left for Julia to do. Peter was still working but there was a void in her life she couldn’t describe. She moved all her focus onto Peter, but he seemed happy with the way things were between them.
She spent a lot of time with her friends, took on a new hobby but she still felt empty. She was ready for more and wanted to see the world. When she suggested this to Peter, he always had some excuse and then later turned into never.
She waited patiently, but it was all in vain. When he phoned her one afternoon and told her that he would be working late again, she decided to surprise him with dinner at the office.
What a surprise it was! She found them in his office and when she realized what was happening, she just closed the door behind her and walked away.
He tried to explain when he got home, but she didn't want to listen. She had done enough waiting and listening to others in her lifetime, and it was time to start listening to her inner self.
He slept on the couch that night and she cried herself to sleep, but when she woke up the next morning, she told him to pack his stuff. She went to see a lawyer that same day and filed for divorce.
Peter even had the audacity to threaten her, and told her that if she continued, she would walk out with nothing.
After twenty-five years of marriage, she was not going to sit and watch while he walked away with everything that she helped build. She felt betrayed. She had an excellent lawyer. He worked out a fair settlement for both of them, but Peter was not willing to give up the fight so easily. He refused to sign the settlement agreement, and that was why they were in court today. She wanted her share, nothing more and nothing less.
When Peter and his floozy walked into the court room, Julia could feel the rage building up inside her. She had to stay calm. She just wanted her fair share.
She still had a life to live, and even if she had to say so herself, she was not a bad catch. She was only fifty and had always looked after herself. She still had a whole life in front of her.
She wanted to travel and see the world, and Peter was not going to take that away from her.
She sat staring at Peter and his little floozy. He looked different. His hair was darker, and he was wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Not something he would ever dare to wear out in public before.
Holly seemed to pull the strings in their relationship and for a minute she felt sorry for Peter. The once handsome man seemed old and tired and stressed. It looked like he was under a spell, and perhaps, just perhaps the grass on the other side, was not as green as he thought.
She tried to focus on what the lawyers were saying, but she could feel Peter's eyes on her for a minute. When she turned towards him, she looked straight into Holly's eyes, and she could see the greed dripping from her mouth. She even imagined the two little horns on top of Holly's head and looked away quickly.
She wished that she could talk some sense into Peter, but she knew that Holly would prevent her from even talking to him. Julia just couldn’t imagine that Peter had to start over his life. One of these days Holly would want kids and Peter would be old enough to be their grandfather. If he only knew what she could see he would start running.
They were married for nearly 25 years, and in those years, they both changed. She had done some deep soul searching after Peter left, but she couldn't pinpoint one specific thing that would have given him the need to cheat on her.
She had always been there for him, but he must have seen something more in Holly than what he did in all their years together. She sighed deeply, and looked at Peter one last time, before getting up to walk to the stand.
She wished that she didn’t have to do this, but Peter had clearly made up his mind. She glanced at her lawyer, and he brought some calmness over her.
She put down her handbag and walked towards the stand. She could feel the stares on her back and felt awkward, but when the questions came, she relaxed a little and answered as best as she could.
She tried not to look into Peter’s direction, but when she did, she saw that he looked more nervous than before. Even Holly looked a little bit nervous.
As she walked back to her chair it felt as if a ton has been lifted off her shoulders. She suddenly felt light, and her previous feelings of despair vanished. She was proud of herself, and she wanted this over and done with. The sooner the better.
Her lawyer invited her for lunch at a nearby restaurant to discuss everything that happened today, and she agreed. She didn't realize how hungry she was until she sat there in the restaurant waiting for her food. It was still a bit early, but she ordered a glass of wine to calm her nerves.
They had a quick lunch and discussed the details of court. Her lawyer assured her that the proceedings went well, and he was sure that Peter would have no other choice but to sign the agreement. All they had to do now was wait.
After her lawyer left, she moved over to the bar area and ordered another glass of wine. She felt completely relaxed when she took a cab home and for the first time in weeks, she didn’t feel worthless. She was even a little sad for Peter, but she realized that there was nothing left between them.
She smiled when the cab dropped her off at her house, and she felt free when she unlocked the door.
She had a beautiful house. It was meticulously clean, and she took pride in her interior decorating skills. She poured herself another glass of wine and went to sit in the living room. She tried to find a movie to watch but just gave up on it.
She was not in the mood to watch television and instead she switched off the television and took a walk through the house.
There were memories all over, but she realized that they were only memories.
She was alone in this great big, beautiful house, and then it hit her like a bomb.
What on earth was she going to do in this big house alone?
-To be continued-
