The Man I Need

by Williams, Shanora

  I guess I was right about what I’d said before. She’s stressed, and stress will wear any person out, but one thing I’ve learned is to never say something I don’t mean, no matter how hard life gets. The last thing I said to my sister still haunts me to this day.

  We sit like this for a long time, and before I know it, she’s fallen asleep on my chest. With a grunt, I stand, her body lax in my arms, carrying her into the house.

  I place her on the bed, but I can’t help watching her sleep for a while.

  I think every kind of relationship has its doubts and its tests. I’m trying to remember that it’s okay to fall out, just so long as we forgive and forget. My mother always told me that, and now I see why she abided by that one rule. Now I see why she stuck with my dad until his dying breath.

  Loyalty runs in my blood. I can’t escape it. My love is fierce, always burning like a gas-fueled flame, extremely hard to put out.

  Something tells me Gabby’s love is just as fierce…she just needs to break through the old mold to see it for herself.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Gabby

  The six months fly by much faster than I anticipated. It hasn’t been easy, either.

  Kyle still refuses to go with a settlement and is still playing the role of victim, because I had an affair.

  Thankfully, I haven’t seen Kyle since the restraining order was placed, and Marcel has been consistent and devoted to me through all of the ups and downs.

  Dad has called every single day to check on me, although it has been a struggle for him with work and his docks, he has gathered a plan to relaunch the docking business on his own since Kyle terminated the contract. It will require a lot of money and renovations, but he’s ready to work, and Ricky plans on investing to keep things going.

  Apparently, Kyle terminated the contract as soon as he possibly could. We weren’t too disappointed, because we saw it coming and I’m glad Dad was preparing for it, but I couldn’t help feeling like Kyle was right about my Dad. He had no backup plan, and now the dock is at risk again, and he’s the only one who can save it. I hope, with Ricky’s help, he can.

  I can’t help feeling like this is all my fault, but my dad insists that it’s no one’s fault but his. If he hadn’t been so eager to get a deal, none of this ever would have happened.

  Life is tough, and there are many lessons to be learned for sure, but the only thing we can do is learn from our mistakes and keep going. I will admit that I have never felt closer to my family than right now, and that says a lot, because we were pretty tight before.

  The trial is today, totaling to a grueling seven months, and I’m a nervous wreck. Fortunately, we didn’t have to wait too long. Seeing as we have been legally separated for six months, and there are domestic reports in the system for Kyle, Judge Walker decided to rush our trial.

  Kyle has a good attorney. Mine is great, but I have a list of demands, some of which involve money. While I didn’t bring anything financial to the relationship, he encouraged me to not get a full-time job, and the pain and suffering he put me through ought to be worth something. But, it’s his money, and the judge will probably go with that. I just want something from him, an acknowledgment that he didn’t win and that what he’s done to me was wrong, otherwise he’ll just keep doing it.

  I’m walking away now, but who’s to say another woman won’t be harmed later on?

  Jasinda has informed me many times that since I committed adultery, this case may not be as simple as she’d hoped, and that alone terrifies me.

  I stand in the women’s bathroom in the courthouse, staring at my reflection in the mirror. The bruise I had months ago has healed completely, but even so, I’ve put on foundation and brushed my hair into a slick ponytail to look presentable today.

  I take in my pink blouse and black pencil skirt. I look good enough. I’m praying things go my way.

  There’s a knock at the door, and I hear Jasinda’s voice. “Gabrielle? Everything okay?”

  “Yeah!” I call back. “I’m fine.” I wash my hands, dry them off, and then walk out in black heels. Jasinda is standing off to the right, waiting for me.

  “Nervous?” she asks, handing me her pack of mints.

  I take the pack, dumping one into my palm. “A little.”

  “It’s okay to be nervous, but don’t forget what I told you. Remain confident and only tell the truth. Tom has agreed to only call you to the stand for testimony, if we don’t call Kyle for his testimony. This is good, because if the judge only hears your side of it, you may sway him. We have the witness statements with the judge as well, so I have a good feeling about this one.”

  “Yeah. Got it.” We walk to our appointed courtroom, and Jasinda leads the way to the desk on the right.

  On the left side of the room is Kyle and his attorney, and in the row behind them are his parents. I catch his mother’s eyes, but look away before she can hook me in.

  Dan, Kyle’s step-dad, starts to smile at me, but then he withdraws and looks away when Mrs. Moore bumps his shoulder. I actually really like Dan. He’s always seemed like a nice man, and he supported my art. Not only that, but after what Mrs. Moore told me about him taking Kyle under his wing, it proves he has a good heart. Too bad he’s stuck with Kyle and Sophon. Not sure what he did to deserve that kind of torture.

  My parents, Ricky, and Teagan are behind me. And in the very back of the room is Marcel, with his arms folded over his broad chest. He promised Jasinda he’d keep his distance and keep his remarks to himself. I know that’s going to be hard for him to do, though. He hates Kyle.

  I look back at him, smiling. He returns a small smile, mouthing the words, “You’ve got this.”

  I focus on my parents next. My mom sticks up a thumb, and Dad winks. Ricky gives me a head nod, while Teagan gives me a big, reassuring smile.

  The bailiff tells us to rise, and we stand as the judge walks in.

  “You may sit,” Judge Walker orders.

  Judge Walker tells Jasinda and Tom to come up after a few readings. As they walk up, I feel eyes on me and look to my left. Kyle is looking right at me, his fingers folded on top of the desk, eyes narrowed.

  I look away, clearing my throat and watching Jasinda return to the table.

  They go over several procedural statements and then Jasinda begins to plead my case. She goes on about how I was set up to be married to Kyle by my father, and that Kyle took that and ran with it. She mentions that I married him a year later and that several days after our honeymoon Kyle hit me for the first time.

  “She described it as Mr. Moore choking her until she couldn’t breathe. He was upset that she said she wasn’t ready to have kids yet, and frankly, Your Honor, that is the woman’s decision and right as to whether she is ready or not.”

  Kyle’s attorney objects.

  The judge waves a hand, overruling it.

  Jasinda nods, thanks the judge, and comes back to the desk.

  “Your Honor, may I call Mrs. Gabrielle Moore to the stand?” Kyle’s attorney asks. I’ve come to know his name is Tom Cavalier. Tom is an ambitious little shit. He reminds me of a weasel, which is never good.

  “Granted,” the judge says.

  I stand, walking around the desk. I knew this time would come, but it doesn’t stop my heart from nearly beating out of my damn chest.

  I take the stand, place my hand on the Bible to swear to tell the truth, then take a seat.

  Tom walks toward my stand with his hands behind his back. I can tell from the hungry look in his eyes that this is his time to shine, and he’s going to make it hurt.

  “Mrs. Moore,” Tom starts, “was there a time you were in love with Kyle?”

  “I thought so. But I was young, and just in love with the idea of him.”

  “Explain that a bit more, if you would.”

  I sigh. “I worked at a restaurant, and we went out on dates. I had never had a real boyfriend until Kyle, and I thought we were meant to be.”

  “W
hen did you realize that it wasn’t meant to be?”

  “The first time he hit me.”

  “Which happened to be over a year ago, correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “So why didn’t you just leave for good at that time? Why go back to him if you were no longer in love?”

  “Because he promised he wouldn’t do it again. We’d just gotten married, and I didn’t want to believe that I’d been so wrong about him, that the investment of my time and energy was going down the drain.”

  “Mrs. Moore, did your affair with your landscape architect have any say so in your desire for a divorce?”

  “Objection, Your Honor! Speculation!” Jasinda calls out.

  “Judge Walker starts to speak, but I speak up.

  “No,” I answer.

  Tom looks surprised that I answered. “So, you mean to tell me that if you’d never met the architect, you would have wanted a divorce anyway?”

  I swallow hard, looking back at Marcel.

  He shakes his head.

  My eyes then shift to Jasinda, who does a subtle nod.

  “I’m certain I would have divorced him eventually, if for no other reason than to protect myself. My landscape architect had nothing to do with me wanting a divorce. The decision was fully mine.”

  “Okay. So, it is clear to me that you were well taken care of while with my client. He provided financially for you, and bought a home where you had a full art studio and could work from home. Now, you are requesting his money. Apologies if this sounds harsh, but I have reason to believe you stuck around with Mr. Moore, despite what he’d done, just to have access to his money. Would that be true?”

  “What?” I frown at Tom, and then at Kyle, who is smirking. My eyes shift over to Jasinda, who shakes her head. I remember not to get riled up like she told me not to, so with a leveled voice I say, “No. Kyle’s money didn’t, and still doesn’t, matter to me.”

  “So why ask for money in your settlement? Why not just ask him to sign the papers and just go about your way?”

  I glance at Judge Walker, who is also waiting for my answer.

  “Because…he hurt me,” I say, my voice almost breaking. “He took advantage of me and ruined my life. I strongly feel that he doesn’t deserve to walk out of this with just a signature on a paper.”

  Tom looks me over, before focusing on the judge.

  “No further questions, Your Honor.” Tom walks away and Jasinda stands, studying me carefully, most likely giving me a moment to breathe. I take the opportunity, drawing in a deep breath before exhaling.

  “Gabby, can you tell me your full name?”

  “Gabrielle Angel Lewis-Moore.”

  “Are you proud of that very last name? Moore?”

  “Not anymore,” I confess with a huff.

  “Why is that?”

  “At one point in time, I was proud of it. But when I got to know who Kyle really is, I became ashamed of the name.”

  “And why is that?” Jasinda questions.

  “Because…I still used the name like a badge of honor, despite what he’d done to me.”

  “Can you describe what you felt the first time Mr. Kyle Moore physically abused you?”

  “Fear,” I say right away. “I never knew when he’d attack me again, so that fear continued.”

  “If you had a friend who was being physically abused by her husband, would you suggest she stay in the marriage and make it work, or would you tell her to get out as soon as possible?”

  My throat goes dry, but I swallow before answering. “I would tell her to run as fast and as far away as she possibly can, because she deserves better.”

  Jasinda nods. “No further questions, your Honor.”

  “You may go back to your seat,” Judge Walker murmurs to me. I leave the stand, but my legs are shaking. Fortunately, I make it back without collapsing.

  “Good job, baby,” Mamá whispers in my ear.

  “Mrs. Humphrey, what exactly does the defendant want as far as settlement?” Judge Walker asks.

  Jasinda stands. “My client would simply like a settlement of two hundred thousand dollars, and for Mr. Moore to never speak to her or reach out to her again.”

  “And you’re telling me that is too much to ask for, Mr. Moore?” Judge Walker asks, one brow dipped as he focuses on Kyle.

  Tom whispers something to Kyle, and Kyle stands, straightens his tie, and says, “Your Honor. My wife is a very greedy woman. As my attorney clearly pointed out, she stuck around because she knew my money would come in handy. All of a sudden, after she cheats, she wants to leave with a hand full of cash? I’m sorry, but I just don’t buy it, Your Honor, and I don’t think it’s fair when I’ve worked so hard for my money.”

  “Wow,” I mutter, shaking my head.

  “Right now, she says that she wants two hundred thousand, Your Honor, but she and her family have been getting money from me for years now. I paid off her school loans and have spent more than three hundred thousand dollars on her family alone. Because of that, I don’t feel like I owe her anything.”

  “You caused this woman physical harm,” Judge Walker states with a frown. “I’m looking right at the photos, and reading what you’ve done to her, and you mean to tell me you feel like you don’t owe her anything? You are a very wealthy man, Mr. Moore. I’m certain you can afford what she’s asking and still be well off.”

  Tom whispers something else.

  Kyle sits and Tom stands.

  “Your Honor, my client has a history of being abused himself. He has needed therapy for what he went through. It was even stated in this paper from his therapist, when he was twelve, that there could be lashing out in his future. Gabrielle was warned of this by Kyle’s mother, yet she stuck around anyway.”

  “What?” I hiss, sitting forward with my hands on the desk. “Are you fucking kidding me? She told me about that after I filed for divorce!” I hiss at Jasinda.

  “It’s okay,” Jasinda whispers, patting my hand.

  I sit back with a scowl and a huff. I cannot believe this. They’re lying now!

  Tom shuffles through a few papers, then hands it one the bailiff, who hands it to Judge Walker.

  “As you can see, my client is not very stable, and has even agreed to go to therapy again, but that does require a lot of time and money.”

  “Your Honor, Mr. Moore has more than enough money to cover his own therapy and pay my client for the mental and physical damage he has caused her. Who is to say she won’t need therapy after trying to recover from an abusive spouse?” Jasinda asks, standing now with her palms planted on the table.

  Judge Walker sighs, and Tom and Jasinda remain focused on him, waiting for his response. I swear, if a pen dropped, everyone would hear it. That’s how quiet it is in here.

  “Mr. Moore, Mrs. Moore, please rise.”

  Kyle stands, fixing his tie and the lapel of his suit. I stand too, folding my fingers in front of me.

  “I am a very simple man,” Judge Walker declares. “Although adultery is lawfully a crime that tends to often go unpunished, a domestic crime is a much, much bigger one that doesn’t. I grew up with the idea grounded in me that a man should never put his hands on a woman, no matter the circumstances, and that a man should never have sex with a woman unless it is consensual.”

  I straighten my back, my heart beating madly.

  “This case, honestly and truly, is a simple one for me, after studying all of the facts. I have morals grounded into me, and after seeing the bruise that covered that young woman’s face—your wife’s face—and after reading the police reports, as well as these terrifying testimonies from people who thought highly of you at one point, I have been given every reason to not let you walk out of my courtroom with all of that pride you are so happily carrying, Mr. Moore.”

  Kyle’s smug smile slips to a frown.

  Judge Walker stacks his papers and slides them aside. “Adultery is wrong, yes, but that is your wife, and you caused her harm in multip
le ways. I won’t allow it. What I will allow is both parties an opportunity to come up with an agreement during recess. If no agreement is made, then Mr. Moore will be required to give over half of his yearly salary to Gabrielle Moore every year and will have to attend mandatory anger management for a full year. Mrs. Moore will go to therapy for eight months to recover from her abuse, and in the meantime, the divorce will be finalized, and the restraining order will remain in effect for the next five years. Is that clear?”

  “Yes, Your Honor,” Tom says quickly.

  Jasinda smiles. “Understood, Your Honor.”

  “Good. See you all in forty-five minutes.” Judge Walker stands up in his black gown, leaving the courtroom.

  I look over at Tom and Kyle. Kyle is seething, fists clenched, while Tom tries to calm him down.

  Deep inside, I’m happy as hell. I look back at Marcel, who is standing and smiling wide. I bite a grin when he winks at me, then I look down at my parents.

  My mom has her face cupped in her hands, like she can’t believe what just happened, and Teagan is about to burst with excitement.

  We all know that I may just win this thing.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Gabby

  Since the mediation rooms were full, we’re seated in an Italian restaurant nearby. Only the four of us—Jasinda, Tom, Kyle, and me.

  I don’t like being this close to Kyle. He’s right across from me, looking at me with flared nostrils and dark, furious eyes.

  “Let’s get started, shall we?” Tom says, clearing his throat.

  “Yes. Let’s. So, my client has agreed that if her demands are not met, she will be happy to take half of Kyle’s yearly salary and do the therapy requested by the judge. Now, in order for that not to happen, she has to get what she wants out of this,” Jasinda states. “The judge is a fair man. We have much more proof, and it is clear he is not happy with what Kyle has done. Judge Walker considers the act of domestic violence a much bigger crime than adultery. You may throw that at his face all you want, but I have a feeling it will not change his mind, so let’s not make this any harder than it needs to be.”