A Change of Heart (49 page)

Annabeth looked at the documents before her.
 
Her voice grew quiet, "R.J. earns this much?"

"Probably more now."

"You did a wonderful job.
 
Thank you so much."
 
Annabeth gathered up the folder and offered Midwood her hand.

On the day of the final hearing, Annabeth dressed and applied makeup carefully, then scrutinized her image in the mirror.
 
Instead of the skirts she usually wore, today she was dressed in a chic black pantsuit.
 
She looked very businesslike, very no-nonsense.
 
Her hair, gathered back from her face with a tortoise clasp, was simple and sophisticated.
 
She looked like someone who was in charge of her own life.
 
The makeup was subtle, very different from the Glamour Poses colors, but still it brought out the vividness of her eyes, the angles of her cheekbones, the fullness of her lips.
 
Gazing at her reflection, Annabeth saw not a soft matron, but a woman in the prime of her life and she nodded, pleased with what she saw.

In a few moments, she stood in front of the courthouse, ready to confront her husband, the folder in her hand.
 
She could do this.
 
And it was about time.
 
When Quentin Asprey arrived, she greeted the attorney with a pleasant smile.

"Ms. Welner, good to see you.
 
All ready for today?"

Annabeth nodded, "Oh yes.
 
But you go on in without me.
 
I'll be along in a bit."

She spotted R.J., who arrived without his lawyer and didn't even notice her as he climbed the courthouse stairs until she spoke his name.

"Annabeth?
 
You look different."
 
His eyes opened wide as he observed her.
 
He was puzzled and clearly at a loss for words, and she was sure he was a little dazzled too when he stammered, "Pretty, you look very pretty."

She smiled.
 
"Thanks.
 
I want to talk."

"Look, is this about the wedding?
 
I done the best I could."

Annabeth paused for a moment to open the folder and offer her husband the contents.
 
"I have some important documents here and I want you to look at them."

R.J. reached for the papers, a scowl on his face.
 
When he saw what they contained, his jaw dropped.
 
"Pictures?
 
You had me followed?"

Annabeth nodded, then spoke calmly.
 
"This is what I want.
 
I want my house.
 
You're going to walk into that court and sign off on the house.
  
Then you're going to go to your daughter and tell her you'd be happy to pay for her wedding.
 
And you're going to give her the money, just so she knows her dad cares.
 
As for the maintenance, I don't want a cent from you.
 
Understand?"

R.J. reached out to take Annabeth by the arm, but before he could touch her, she took a pace back.
 
"Now, honey, be reasonable," he said.

"Reasonable?"
 
Annabeth looked R.J. in the eye.
 
"Reasonable?
 
Reasonable would be me asking for maintenance for years.
 
Reasonable would be me taking a piece of your business.
 
I never even thought of that.
 
Maybe I should be more reasonable.
 
Let's see--I'm entitled to half your business, well, no you're partners with your mother aren't you--so I guess I'm entitled to half of your half.
 
Just how much would that be?"

R.J. blanched as he looked at Annabeth.
 
She met his gaze and didn't waver.
 

Glancing at her watch, Annabeth said, "There's a one-minute time limit on this offer.
 
Otherwise I walk into that courtroom and hand these papers to the judge."

"You wouldn't do that to me."

"Look at me, R.J.
 
Can you see me?"
 
Annabeth paused a moment then shook her head and turned to walk into the courtroom, R.J. scurrying along behind her.

"Wait, don't."

Taking her place beside Asprey, Annabeth waited and soon enough the judge called her case.

"This is the final hearing in the matter of Welner vs. Welner."

As Annabeth leaned toward Asprey to tell him what information she possessed, R.J. stood, "Your honor, I've decided to give my wife the house.
 
And she's agreed to no maintenance."

"All other assets divided as previously noted?" asked the judge.

"Your honor, I ask a moment to confer with my client," interrupted Kyle Sennet.

"No need," said R.J. miserably, "Done been decided."

"Mrs. Welner, you've agreed to this--the house but no maintenance?" asked Judge Henson.

"Yes, thank you."

"All right then, so ordered.
 
Mrs. Welner receives the house, no maintenance, and she resumes her maiden name.
 
All other assets divided as agreed.
 
Divorce granted.
 
Good luck to you both."

Quentin Asprey turned to Annabeth.
 
"How did that happen?"

"Change of heart."

Annabeth drove home calmly, walked through the door of her house and looked around.
 
It had been a lot more than just a house for a long time.
 
All her memories were there, but now she could turn around and move away and
 
be just fine.
 
She was a lot stronger and could be happy anywhere.
 
Still, she was glad the house was still hers.
 
Annabeth walked slowly through the downstairs rooms, which were empty as usual.
 
The cat, feeling affectionate, wound around her feet until she scooped him up and carried him.
 
No echoes arose from any corner; they'd all been played out in her mind and Annabeth was at peace with her memories and her past.
 
"What's left now is the future," she said to the cat, who regarded her with wide eyes, "And your dinner, of course."

The following day, Sally called her.
 
"Only two weeks!
 
I'm going crazy."

"No, you're doing fine.
 
I think we're right on track.
 
The flowers are ordered, caterer ready, clothes ready.
 
Oops another call, just a sec."
 
Annabeth clicked the hook and said "Hello?"

"Hi, it's Ginger.
 
Can you come over today and pin up some hems for me?"

Without even a moment's thought, Annabeth replied, "No, sorry I can't.
 
The cleaner's downtown has a tailor.
 
Why not take them in there?
 
I'm awfully busy lately with work and the wedding so I don't think I can do any more hems."

"What!"

"I have Sally on the other line.
 
Talk to you another time, all right?"

"Okay, bye."

"Sorry, hon it was Ginger wanting hems."

"Dad came by this morning.
 
I couldn't believe it.
 
Gave me a bunch of money for the wedding.
 
Guess his deal came through."

"I'm glad.
 
Gosh, another call.
 
Think it's Ginger again?"
 
Once again Annabeth lowered and raised the switchhook of the phone, "Hello?"

"Annabeth Welner, please."

"Speaking."

"This is Esta Pollock at BK Publishing in New York."

"Hello!"
 

"We've reviewed your sketches and we love them.
 
We want to use them in a calendar."

"That's wonderful!"
 
Annabeth listened carefully as Ms. Pollock explained the terms of the offer, and although it wasn't a huge amount of money, it was fair, and a good beginning.

"I'll send you all the information in the mail.
 
If they sell well, we could make a better deal next year."

"Yes, that's great.
 
Thank you so much!"
 
Annabeth clicked off once again and was back with Sally.
 
"Guess what!
 
I just sold a calendar!
 
I'm going to have a calendar with my sketches in it."

"Mom!
 
That's fantastic!"

"Yes!
 
I'm just thrilled.
 
Now what can I do to help you with the wedding?"

The morning of the wedding, Doug awakened and moved over close to Annabeth as he had every morning since the first night they spent together.
 
He wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed her neck.
 
"Happy Valentine's Day," he said.

Annabeth wriggled tightly against Doug, her back to his front, her hand on his arm as he held her close.
 
"The wedding!"

"Plenty of time!"
 
Doug reached under his pillow and retrieved a small velvet box, then handed it to Annabeth, who opened it carefully.

"Oh Doug!
 
Diamond earrings to match my necklace.
 
Oh thank you, they're beautiful."
 
She turned in the bed to face him, then wrapped her arms tightly around him.
 
"You're wonderful."
 
After a long hug, she reached inside her nightstand table and handed him a small box.

"A heart shaped key ring, with your keys on it." He smiled and kissed her softly.
 
"Thank you."
 

"You already have the key to my heart, so of course you should have the keys to my house."

"I was thinking we'd need to talk about where we're going to live.
 
I know you love this place, but my house is a lot bigger and there's room for a real studio for you.
 
And Sally and Jackson could live here."

Annabeth nodded.
 
"That's a good idea.
 
Let's plan on it--assuming the kids want to live here."

Annabeth clutched Doug's hand tightly as they drove to the Women's Club.
 
"You don't have to come in just yet you know.
 
It's early.
 
Nobody will be here for a while."

"Oh I'll hang around in case you need me.
 
Probably something that needs doing."

She smiled.
 
"Thanks."

Sally was frenzied by the time Annabeth arrived.
 
"I've forgotten something, I know I have.
 
The zipper is stuck, isn't it, not all the way up.
 
My shoes are stained.
 
Is Jackson here?"

Annabeth laughed, then touched Sally's shoulder to calm her.
 
"You haven't forgotten anything, the zipper is up and your shoes are clean.
 
And I saw Jackson downstairs.
 
Doug is babysitting him right now."

"Oh my gosh.
 
Daddy won't show up.
 
Or be drunk.
 
Then what?
 
Pops can walk me in.
 
If I don't trip on the stairs and break my nose."

Annabeth laughed again, spent some more time calming Sally, then went out to check on the caterers.
 
Everything was being readied in the kitchen and the food would be offered buffet-style on long tables, then guests would be seated informally at any of several large round tables set up around a dance floor in one of the main rooms.
 
The actual ceremony would be held in the other main room, and white folding chairs had already been set up.
 
Flowers were arranged perfectly and there was even a fire in the fireplace, lending a nice homey touch.
 
A small orchestra, which Doug had thoughtfully provided, was setting up for the reception.
 
And the judge, an old school friend of Hugh's, was already there.
 
In short, all was perfect.

The guests arrived and soon enough Annabeth was seated in the front of the room, next to Doug.
 
Although there was no organ, the orchestra did an excellent job.
 
Laurel walked down the aisle first, then Sally on her father's arm.
 
Oh, my baby, oh all grown up.
 
Oh, this life, so short, a baby in your arms and then a bride.
 
My heart will burst or it will break.
 
My girls, every moment so wonderful watching them grow and now they're gone but they will never really be gone, always be with me, near me, close by, living their own lives.
 
How beautiful they are and still so young.
 
So old and so young. Sally.
 
My little girl, always playing house, and now a wife.
 
My baby, soft and sweet for so long but like a moment.
 
Oh my Sally.