what about your sons?”
The same pained expression she’d seen in the past flashed over his face. “What about them?”
She struggled to keep her tone even. “Susan told me she realized the boys were getting caught in the middle of your problems. She wanted to put a stop to it. Reconciling seemed to make the most sense.”
Vehement, Tom shook his head. “Absolutely not. I already told you. She’s just using that to try to drive a wedge between you and me, and to make me feel guilty about the kids.”
Pam wanted to feel a sense of relief. Instead, only doom prevailed. Her head pounded. Her throat burned. Frantically, she forced herself to push aside the confusion and heartbreak swelling in her soul. She must remain objective. And detached. Like when assessing a patient’s medical condition. There was no room for emotion, fear, or second guessing. This was the rest of their lives they were talking about.
“Susan has a valid point, Tom.”
“Which is?” he challenged.
“Your battle with her is hurting your children. It’s all over the newspapers. People read this and then they talk about it. Kids overhear things. They don’t understand the context. They just see or hear the words.”
Tom stared at her. Then, seeming subdued, he took a seat on the couch. “I understand what you’re saying. Unfortunately, the simple truth is that my relationship with the boys has been crap from the beginning. Susan and I made rotten parents together. I let her take the lead role because it was easier than fighting. But it didn’t matter. We still found reasons to disagree.”
He turned away, but not before Pam saw the tears rimming his eyes. They ripped the holes in her heart even deeper.
Please God, Pam prayed. Please give me the right words. She swallowed, hoping to take the strain out of her voice.
“You could be right, Tom. Or wrong. This time could be different. Maybe it felt hopeless before, but now you’ve made contact again. Susan realizes this. I’m sure she also realizes that the boys are older now. Soon, they can make their own decisions. They’ll make their own assessments of their parents. Don’t you see? It’s got to end somewhere. Why not right here?”
One of the lawyers returned with a pile of documents. “Am I interrupting?”
Pam looked to Tom.
“These need your signature now if we’re going to file them in court today.”
“What are they?” Tom asked evenly.
“The libel and slander suit against Susan. And the request to attach all her assets.”
“I’d like to ask a question,” Pam interjected quietly.
“Sure,” the lawyer nodded.
“How long do you think it will take to resolve all this...mess?”
The lawyer scratched the top of his balding head. “Nothing in court happens fast. It will take at least a year.”
“Minimum?” she inquired.
Clearly uncomfortable, he loosened his tie.
“Like I told Tom, I’m certain that even if we win, Susan’s lawyers will file appeals.”
Pam looked to Tom. His expression told her he’d made up his mind.
“Thank you.” Slowly, she walked to the door. She didn’t want either man to see her tears.
“Pam!” Tom shouted. He stepped in front of her. “Where are you going?”
“The hospital,” she managed, avoiding his eyes. She got past him and through the door.
She heard his footsteps trailing her but she did not stop. He grabbed her arm just before she reached the street and swung her around to face him. “What are you doing?”
She found she still could not face him. Couldn’t he see? They couldn’t start their new life together with all this turmoil. It was a recipe for disaster.
“Pam! Look at me!”
“I can’t,” she cried.
He tried to pull her close but she resisted.
“Tell me what’s wrong!” he demanded.
She could hear the desperation in his voice. It tore at her soul. But better now, she tried to reason, than later. Clearing her throat of the tears, she found her voice.
“Susan needs to keep you in her life. If not as her husband, then as the boys’ father. And if that doesn’t work, she’ll come after you personally and professionally. Like she’s doing now. Trying to humiliate you in public.”
“Okay,” Tom replied.
“Don’t you see?” Reluctantly, she met his gaze. “One way or another, if you continue to fight her, she’s got you, Tom. She wins. Even if she loses.”
“And you think I should just walk away?”
“I know it sounds hard, but yes,” she answered. “And then each of you could sign a contract saying that this will be a final settlement of all matters involving real estate. So she can’t