I had to leave. This was going nowhere and I couldn't breathe. Watching him just lying there on the couch, playing video games and not being interested in almost anything else. He played with his Lara Croft look-a-likes 100 times more than me.
When I met Jesse in high school, I thought his dimples and large trust fund could carry our relationship forever, but I learned that I needed more. Not more money, we had everything someone might want, but more man. I needed to be taken care of emotionally as well as treasured, enjoyed, and wanted. Having been forced to sign a pre-nuptial agreement, I knew that if I left then I would leave with nothing but my clothes, jewelry and a small "incidental" checking account which had a couple thousand in it at best. However, I didn't care because I needed to find someone that needed me, wanted me but also showed confidence, dominance and power.
It sounded crazy even to myself, but I was tired of being everything in this marriage: wife, husband, activities director, household manager, organizer etc. while he played his video games, went to the gym and went out partying with his buddies. I knew he cheated on me during these "guys' nights out" because his friends could not keep their mouths shut. They would get together, drink too much and joke about their latest conquests, including Jesse. His family made sure that infidelity didn't hurt him in anyway in case of a divorce. At first, I was hurt because I worked very hard at keeping my body in great shape to interest him and managed everything in the household to make his home comfortable, but yet he showed me very little interest. It was as if I was an old prize previously won and now tossed off to the side.
After a decade plus of being neglected, I didn't care anymore. I had tried to leave before but my problem was that at 32 years old, I had no verifiable skills. While I had managed a household staff of eight, organized dozens of charitable grand events and learned how to create a budget, balance books and deal with the IRS for the same aforementioned staff; I couldn't really use any of that on a resume. Although I could sell some clothes and jewelry to make ends meet for awhile, I needed a stable job. I definitely didn't want to go "trolling" for another wealthy man to marry. I just wanted out. I had no family to rely on and my only "friends" were the wives of his friends. Despite my odds at survival, I still gathered my courage and one early morning as Jesse was still nursing a hangover, and I went to an attorney to file for divorce.
I had never met this attorney before but rather picked him out of a list from Google. I didn't want anyone remotely associated with Jesse's family. I brought a notorized copy of my pre-nuptial agreement and drove my "new to me," but very used two door hatchback car to the address listed. I had made the appointment about three months ago because I needed time to scrape together enough cash to purchase my clunker and put a rent deposit down on an apartment which all came from squeezing the household budget until it squeaked without alerting anyone.
Nervously, I walked up the stairs to the small office building and entered the glass doors, about 50 minutes before my appointment time. Just coming out, as I was entering, was an agile grandmother type with a box in her arms. I held open the doors for her as she said, "You must be his 2 o'clock? Please wait in the outer office and fill out those forms for a formal application. I will be right back, this is my last box." She had me confused with someone coming for a job interview versus my appointment for the filing of my divorce papers. Maybe this was a sign from the heavens, that is if I was even remotely qualified for whatever this job entailed.
I looked down at the papers on the clipboard and sighed. Most of the work experience section would remain blank, but I had recently talked with one of the hotels that had hosted a charity event for me and the manager agreed to be a reference. I filled in as much as I could and crossed my fingers. I figured I would explain my need for the divorce paperwork and a job all at once. Absentmindedly, I fiddled with my wedding rings while considering what I might say to boost my lacking application. I hadn't noticed a man standing at the doorway until he cleared his throat, nearly startling me out of my chair.
He was about 5'11 and of average build in his late 50's or early 60's with a full head of salt and pepper hair. His suit was finely cut and he had an amazing set of deep brown eyes and a sharp jawline that just screamed male. "Mrs. Swanson?" he clearly said.
"Sorry, no. I'm Darla Winchester. I'm here for a 3 o'clock appointment in order to file for divorce. Your, uh secretary, thought I was here for a job interview which I happen to also need, so I thought I'd fill out the application. Is that alright?"
He glanced at his watch and made a slight scowl. "Well, I have to say that I do appreciate that you are not only punctual but early even. The other applicant seems to either be late or decided not to keep her appointment at all. Either way, I am a bit irritated and would love to calm myself with a pleasurable interview with you."
I immediately smiled a huge grin and then surprisingly felt a warm moisture between my legs. 'What the hell. Where did that come from,' I thought. He leaned over and offered his hand for a shake, stating his name was Mr. Charles Powell. Grabbing his hand while I arose, I felt my knees become slightly weak and buckle. Instantaneously, he wrapped his arms around my waist and prevented me from falling. I couldn't understand why I felt so weak. I thought, was I just nervous or was it him? Mr. Powell had such a presence of confidence and power, sensual power. It didn't seem to matter to my inner, now racing, libido that he was 15 to 20 years my senior and potentially my new boss.
He guided me to a chair in his office and provided me with a cool glass of water. My head was spinning and I easily consumed the water to help focus me and hopefully cool me. 'Get control of yourself Darla,' I thought. 'You need this job AND this divorce.' While I took a deep breath, I noticed him quietly talking with his parting secretary, as she had just returned to the outer office. He was gentle with her, almost intimate. She reached for him with a shaky hug and they held each other for a long time. It was quite a tender moment and spoke volumes of his inner being.
He returned and sat behind his desk, gathering a variety of papers and shuffling around. Once he organized himself to his satisfaction, Mr. Powell made eye contact with me and held it for what seemed like an eternity to me but it was probably only 10 to 20 seconds. When he finally spoke, it was a smooth deeply melodious sound that soothed my nerves. "I want to review your divorce papers first and then we will proceed with the interview. I noted the pre-nuptial agreement which is definitely in your husband's favor and leaves you with nearly nothing. Are you sure you want to go forth with this divorce?"
Telling him my situation, my desires and my plan for the future was cathartic. It boosted my self assurance that I could do this and I could survive without my husband . I told him, "I unfortunately don't have any family to help me but I have placed a deposit on a small apartment and have some funds to buy some inexpensive furniture." He nodded, seemingly considering something with a furrowed brow and then began typing on his keyboard. After several minutes, he printed out some forms and instructed me to sign in several locations.
"These will be delivered by courier to your husband within the next 24 hours. It's straight forward, follows the pre-nup exactly and since there are no children involved it should be wrapped up within a few weeks to a month. However, if your husband chooses to contest it, then it could be messy and potentially quite costly to you," he said.
I started to panic. I hadn't even considered this potential problem in my plans. A basic divorce was expensive enough but if he really wanted to screw me over then... I started to wilt right there in my chair. All the planning, preparation and stress was too much. I could completely see my husband fighting this just for the sake of it. Almost like a battle within one of his stupid games! The tears started to flow. I couldn't control them.
I was wiping feverishly at my eyes, not wanting my mascara to run so that I'd look like a racoon when I suddenly noticed he had pulled up a chair beside me and was handing me a box of tissues. I graciously accepted the tissues and said, "I usually don't fall apart Mr. Powell but it's been so stressful and I thought I had covered all my bases."
He gently placed his hand on my forearm and told me with a soft smile, "That's why you came to me. To cover your exposed bases." Our eyes locked for a moment and I tingled all over. I sat up straighter, feeling reassured albeit ironically a bit off center and smiled my best, confident grin.
"Let's move forward and come what may." Mr. Powell smiled in return and moved back behind his desk. He typed in a few more notes and then leaned back to again gaze at me.
"Okay, the divorce process is done for now. I would like to proceed with the interview if you are still up for it Ms. Winchester? Or should I call you by your maiden name?" I hadn't even considered changing my name back.