VISITING JENNIFER
"We need to meet. I've got some important papers both for the loan and from the girls' school." I was talking to Jennifer.
"Can't the lawyers handle it?" she asked.
"It'll take too long," I persisted. "Can I bring them over later?"
"I suppose. When?" It was obvious she wanted it over quickly.
"Later this afternoon. Does that work?"
"Yeah. See you then." Quick and to the point. At least it was more civil than our phone call regarding Grace.
We were now in our fourth month of the divorce working its way through the system. Jack had let me know that it was finally close to a resolution. Probably in the next couple of weeks. And Jennifer and I had fallen into a kind of working routine with the girls, their schedules and even our own lives. We became adept at the dance of one of us dropping off the girls at school or Brenda's, only to have the other pick up one or both. We had enrolled Carrie in a beginning ballerina class that met twice a week, so Jennifer had taken over many of the chauffeuring duties that my work schedule did not allow.
And being a single dad sure took a lot of planning with little sleep. Keeping up with the house and two little girls with a full-time career was nerve wracking. Some of the appliances seem to be one use away from permanently crashing. Vacuuming, dusting, laundry, dishes, food in the pantry and on the table - it was almost unbearable. When Jennifer and I were together we divvied up these duties. We were both professionals with a home and family, so I certainly didn't leave it all up to her. But now, as a soon-to-be single parent doing it all was rough. I have a profound respect for all the single parents in the world. My only breaks were when Jennifer had the girls. But then I was so lonely. I missed my girls - all of them.
Some friends had suggested a maid or a nanny. But my finances had taken a severe hit. Though the divorce was because of Jennifer, I would still be paying alimony. And with her salary gone, I was looking at a budget probably seventy percent less than a year ago. This was truly painful. So, no hired help in my future. My financial future was looking bleak.
My bright spot was Grace. After that first night three months ago, we were together on a dozen different occasions. Neither of us are quite sure about this relationship or where it might lead, but we have consciously decided to enjoy the journey. I have traveled to Cincinnati a few times, but she's been to Chicago more often. And we have conversed on the phone almost twice a week. So, although I can't call her a steady girlfriend yet, I feel the time is coming.
And the sex has been mind-blowing. As much as I miss making love to Jennifer, the raw energy of Grace under the covers has been a breath of fresh air. In some ways, I can almost understand why Jennifer did what she did with the other guys after experiencing for myself something so refreshingly different wrapped up in such a beautiful body. She has allowed me to reopen a dominant side of my personality. She has told me she loves being dominated while feeling safe and secure. I have never felt so alive.
Because we're so unsure about where this is headed, we had not introduced each other to our families - until six weeks ago. I flew to Cincinnati when Jennifer had the girls and met both her parents and her son. Her Mother is also beautiful - it's easy to see why Grace is so stunning. She's from Mississippi, so she has that deep southern charm and still a bit of an accent. A fun lady. Her Dad is a rough and tumble entrepreneur. Even though he's extremely successful, he's still got blue collar roots and is a bit gruff. It's evident this couple worked hard for their success, and they deserve every penny they have made. I immediately liked them both.
They were not as taken with me. I don't blame them. I'm still the guy that exposed their son-in-law and appointed successor as scum. And then for their daughter to bring this traitor into their home as a friend and expect them to welcome him with open arms was asking too much. But they were cordial. We had some wonderful dinner conversation and her father, and I may end up doing business together. Some of our clients at the firm are people he knows or would like to know. I suppose that it helped that sex tapes involving others were never mentioned.
And I met her son, Johnny. He's seven and is adorable. But he misses his dad, so he, too, did not make any attempt to warm up to me. And I knew I had no right to expect anything more. If Grace and I continue, he and I will make peace with each other. And if Grace and I don't continue, then he won't be hurt again. So, at this point, I know this is the best course of action.
After a couple days there, I brought Grace back to Chicago to meet the girls. They were very shy at first, but quickly warmed up to Daddy's new friend. I watched in awe as Grace spent a couple of hours playing with dolls with the girls in their room. They were best friends in no time. That was the only time Grace was in Chicago that we didn't spend the night together. But it was a wonderful evening.
And I knew they would dutifully report back to their mother. So, I wasn't surprised when Jennifer called.
"Who the hell is Miss Grace?" Jennifer's tone was snarly.
"Pardon me?" I played dumb.
"Miss Grace! The girls said you have a new 'friend'!" Anger was rising in her voice. "Who is she? How did you meet her?"
I ignored the question. "Tell me about John Cooper."
"What?" she gasped.
"John Cooper," I stated, flatly. "Tell me about him."
"Why do you want to know?" She was quieter now.
"Because you made sex tapes with him. I think there are three of them, aren't there?"
"Yes," she was whispering now.
"So," I calmly continued, "when I forwarded those tapes to the spouses, who should show up in my office? Why, it was Grace Cooper. The spouse of Mr. John Cooper."
"Oh," she murmured.
"And we hit it off." Again, I was on a roll. "So, we have been seeing each other for a couple of months while our respective divorces go through. I don't know where it's going, but it's been nice to have someone going through this with me. So, thank you for introducing us."
"You bastard!" she hung up on me.
In our conversations since then, she has been cordial but trite about Grace. "How's Grace?" "Fine." "Good." That's usually all that is said. But it's created an interesting dynamic in how Jennifer and I interact. I think Jennifer expected to have other relationships or at least male companionship and be gainfully employed by this point. But she hasn't. Her shenanigans have made her a pariah in the workplace, and no one wants to take a chance on her. And because her professional persona is gone, her personal life has almost come to a halt. Though I haven't seen it in person, the girls have told me their mom is quiet, eating more and not working out at all. She still looks great, but if her lifestyle is going downhill, I know her mind and body are not far behind.
Even with the issues I'm facing, I think she despises my perceived success. I'm still going strong at work, balancing the girls and life at home while seeing someone new. In our exchanges, I get the feeling she expected to be in that spot while I would curl up and die or turn into a raging alcoholic. After what she's put me through, I'm taking that as a small consolation prize.
