“Tony buddy, as your best friend, I’ve gotta talk some sense into you, even if these guys,” motioning to Pat and Mark, “don’t have the guts. Must I remind you that she was married before and it was annulled for her mental illness? She’s a nutcase, pal! For real, recorded-in-a-divorce-decree nuts.” Luke circled his index finger next to his temple.
“Thanks for the rundown, buddy. Now listen to me, the guy Carmella married drove her to insanity. She told me the story. It wasn’t as bad as I had said. I exaggerated because I was mad at her. It’ll be different for us. I can control her. She’s loyal to me. She loves me and I need that right now.”
“Well, I hesitate to bring up a sore subject, but what about Jackie? The last time we spoke—”
Tony sprang from the recliner. “I’m so fuckin’ sick of Jackie this and Jackie that! Because she had my kid, the one I never wanted, doesn’t mean we’re destined to be together.” He paced the floor in a rage.
Luke, Pat, and Mark were shocked by their friend’s vehement reaction. Luke spoke up. “No problem man. So, Carmella it is.”
Pat tried to lighten the mood. “When’s the wedding, pal? Have you set a date?”
Tony guzzled the rest of his beer and snapped open another. “July, around the time you guys are getting married.” He leaned against the wall, still trying to cool down. “Luke, will you be my best man? And, Pat and Mark, would you be my ushers?”
Luke responded first. “You know it, buddy. I’m honored.” He patted Tony’s back.
“Sure.” Pat reached to shake Tony’s hand. “Happy to.”
“Absolutely, man.” Mark reached to shake Tony’s hand.
“I hate to push my luck guys, but Luke, would Rosa be a bridesmaid? And Pat, how about Sue?”
“Ah, I don’t know,” Luke stammered. “Carmella must have closer friends to ask.” Rosa hates that bitch.
“Yeah, that’s true,” Pat agreed.
Tired of defending Carmella, Tony said, “She doesn’t have any local friends. Forget it, I’ll ask my cousins.”
*
Tony and Carmella chose July 24, 1993 as the wedding date. Tony’s cousins agreed to serve as bridesmaids. The powder blue, capped-sleeve, V-neck gowns were on order, as were the little puffs of veil that would crown each attendant. The ushers, in brown tuxedos with baby-blue cummerbunds and bow ties, would complement the bridesmaids’ gowns, Carmella decided. A three-week honeymoon in France was booked and paid for by Carmella’s godfather. And Tony returned to his usual tactics of ducking and hiding from Gina.
May 1993
“Carmella’s delirious,” Louie told Jackie. “She was running around here the other night talking about filling the house with children. That woman’s no spring chicken. I don’t know what she’s thinking.” He leaned on the dining room table, and sipped his glass of rosé. “Ah, she’s a pip.”
“Louie, be careful what you say,” Anna cautioned. “She’s going to be our daughter-in-law.”
“Good Lord. There’s time for him to come to his senses. What does he see in her anyway for Chrissake?” Louie shook his head. “He could’ve had such a nice life with you, Jackie.”
Jackie gulped. He never told them what happened. “Well Louie, that’s not true—”
“He should have played his cards right. Louie rose from the chair. I’m getting some cheese to go with this wine. Want some?”
“No thanks, we need to go.” Jackie glanced at Gina.
When Louie left the room Anna whispered, “Neither of us is thrilled about this. But what can we do? He’s our only child. The wedding’s a few months away and it looks like they’re going through with it. For the life of me, I don’t understand.” She shook her head.
“Anna, let’s hope their marriage will make them happy and secure so we can all begin dealing with each other on an adult level.” Jackie stood up. “Come on Gina. We’ve got to go.”
“That would be nice dear,” Anna agreed, walking them to the door. “But Carmella is … oh, I must be careful what I say.”
July 1993
Prior to the wedding, Carmella remained on her best behavior, knowing Tony hated her tantrums. During the honeymoon, she demanded incessant attention and proclamations of love, but her outbursts were contained. And Tony kept a watchful eye when it came to things that would set her off. He wanted a peaceful honeymoon. They tread carefully as they ate, drank, and made love all over Southern France.
Chapter Twenty-Five
August 1993
After the honeymoon, Carmella was psyched for battle. Tony’s parents would pay for their preference for Jackie. First priority, a legitimate grandchild from their loving marriage would diminish their preoccupation with Gina.
They desperately tried to conceive a baby—Carmella for validation; Tony for contrition. But despite their diligent efforts, no pregnancy occurred. Because Carmella was a DES daughter, her doctors thought her chances of conceiving and carrying to term were improbable.
For Carmella, the prospect of being childless resulted in increased instability and the return of her temper tantrums. For Tony, watching TV became a hazardous activity. After Carmella had hurled countless small objects at him, he registered that his wife had no appreciation for television and the beauties it displayed. He became an avid channel surfer, constantly fearing an eruption of his wife’s accusations.
Tony’s gut wrenched with the awareness of his enormous mistake. In addition to being subjected to Carmella’s emotional instability, Tony craved a child to start anew. He needed to be a father, a good father. Backtracking with Gina would require way too much courage.
September 1994
During their first year of marriage, Tony’s company was sold. As Carmella prepared dinner, he broke the news that he was being laid off.
“The first thing you’re doing, Tony, is taking that bitch to court to reduce the damned child support!”
“Court isn’t necessary. For God’s sake, Carmella, Jackie practices family law. She knows the drill. If I call her—”
Carmella face twisted with rage. “You’re not calling that bitch to discuss anything! The court will handle this. You got that? My father’s friend, Johnny Manning, does this kind of work. We’re calling him.”
“Fine, Carmella. But after we pay a thousand bucks to the lawyer, we’ll still end up paying the same forty-five dollars weekly for child support that Jackie would agree to if I called her.”
“I don’t give a shit! You’re not calling her. You’re taking that bitch to court!”
*
Jackie stood at Margie’s office door holding a piece of paper in her hand. “Tony’s been laid off, and I’ve been summoned to appear in court on March 13 for a modification hearing. I don’t have time for this shit. He’s so difficult!”
“Screw him.”
“Oh, I plan on it.”
Chuck Rodman, the firm’s owner, stopped to join the conversation. “A new case?”
“Not exactly. My daughter’s father summoned me to a modification hearing instead of calling me. I’m so freaking annoyed that I have to take the time to defend myself against him because he didn’t have the balls to pick up the phone. The guidelines are simple. We’d calculate twenty-seven percent of his unemployment check and be done with it.”
“Let’s chat.” Chuck led Jackie to his office. He sat in his forest green leather chair and put his tasseled loafers on the top of his desk. “Here’s the thing. New spouses can upset the apple cart. It happens all the time. It may pass. But for now, you have to prepare for a modification hearing. Forget that it’s personal. Play hardball. Subpoena their financial documents. Sift through everything. Find that Achilles heel. You’ll kick his butt.”
She smiled. “If I’d met you when I needed a lawyer way back when, I probably wouldn’t have gone to law school. I’d have been intimidated by the high bar you set. But I’m so grateful that I work at this firm so I can learn from the best.”
*
Jackie was motivated
by Chuck’s advice. In the law library she found case law setting the precedent that a wife’s income could be used to offset the husband’s living expenses during a period of unemployment, thereby freeing the husband’s unemployment benefits for the support of a child. Jackie organized her case, subpoenaed and reviewed financial documents, and discovered that the Salvuccis had bought a vacation home in the mountains a year prior. Hardship, my ass. I’ll show him hardship. She also realized that the initial child support agreement had provided that Tony pay fifty percent of all health insurance costs, which she had never enforced. She couldn’t go back fourteen years, but she could claim repayment for the past three years and make him pay moving forward.
*
The night before the court hearing, Carmella announced, “I’m going to that courthouse with you tomorrow. I know Johnny said I shouldn’t go because I’m ‘not a party to the case,’” she mimicked, “but I am your wife and I’m going.”
“Carmella you can’t go. You’re not a party to the case. Jackie will be sure to exercise her right to demand that you—”
“That bitch has no rights when it comes to me!” Carmella pounded the kitchen table and the coffee cups shook.
“Carmella! Please don’t start. She has rights when it comes to this hearing, and she knows them. For God’s sake, she’s a lawyer! She’ll have you tossed out of there so fast it’ll make your head spin.” Tony massaged Carmella’s shoulders. “Honey, go to work.” He kissed his wife’s neck and whispered, “There’s nothing you can do. Let me and Johnny handle this.”
Carmella conceded. Tony sighed with relief. Carmella’s presence would provide the fuel for an explosion that would defy any efforts to control it.
*
Judge McGovern was a middle-aged woman with bobbed brown hair. Johnny Manning was an older man with dark gray hair and coarse facial features. When called, the trio approached the bench. Johnny buttoned his suit coat and began his argument, pleading on Tony’s behalf that unemployment was a hardship. “The severe decrease of income makes it impossible to afford the amount of child support payments that Mr. Salvucci has been diligently making.”
“What say you, Ms. Martin,” the judge asked.
“Your honor, Mr. Salvucci’s financial statements indicate that he’s currently making monthly payments of $650.00 per month on a vacation home in New Hampshire. I argue that Mr. Salvucci’s hardship stems from the vacation home payments, not from child support payments. He’s requesting that this court alleviate the child support payments which would essentially enable him to keep his vacation home. Wilson vs. Wilson, decided in this state, set the precedent that although a wife’s income cannot be used to provide support for an unemployed spouse’s child, it may be considered to offset her husband’s living expenses, rendering more of the unemployed spouse’s income available to meet child support obligations. Your honor, I believe that this court should consider Wilson vs. Wilson and award a support order for $105 per week.”
She dipped her bifocals to the tip of her nose, and stared at Tony. “Tell me about this vacation home, Mr. Salvucci.”
“Uh … I’m trying to sell it, your honor. But the market is soft.”
The judge maintained eye contact. “I suggest you try harder, Mr. Salvucci. You will report to this court each month on the progress of the sale.” Jackie silently cheered. “Is there anything else, Ms. Martin?”
“Yes, your honor. The child support agreement provides that Mr. Salvucci is responsible for paying fifty percent of all health insurance costs for the minor child. To date, this provision has not been enforced. I’d like to start enforcing that provision and backdate the allotted three years.”
“Noted. Mr. Manning, would you like to add anything?”
“No, your honor.”
“This matter will be taken under advisement. The parties will be notified by mail.” The judge rapped the gavel.
*
The judgment arrived by the end of the week. Jackie scanned the court order, reading it twice. “Oh thank you,” she said to the judge as if she could be heard. The order was entered for $140 per week to be reviewed upon Tony’s reemployment. What an idiot. If he had called me he’d be paying forty-five dollars a week.
She told Margie and Chuck. “Well, I got the order today. I asked the judge for $105 per week. She awarded $140. And he’s ordered to pay $350 for his portion of insurance expenses over the past three years.”
“Great job Jackie,” Chuck said. “I had no doubt.”
*
“Johnny, what the hell are you telling me?” Carmella said, holding the phone to her ear as she paced the floor. “Did my asinine husband walk in the damned court room and hand our money over to that greedy bitch? Or are you so damned incompetent that you can’t handle a simple modification hearing? What the hell did we pay you for? Tony’s unemployed and now we have to pay $140 per week. You’d better get this fixed and fast!”
When Tony arrived home after stopping at his parents’ house, he gawked at the debris from Carmella’s most recent fit.
“Carmella,” Tony called.
She stormed out of the bedroom with arms swinging. “You goddamned idiot! I hate you, you son of a bitch!”
“What the hell’s the matter with you, Carmella?” Tony ducked a bath oil bottle. The mirror shattered.
“The greedy bitch took us for $140 a week!” Veins protruded from her neck.
“How do you know that?”
“Johnny called. I told him he better fix it fast. We’re not paying that bitch that kind of money while you’re not working. He’s going back to court. Jesus, you fucking men! If I went up against that bitch, this shit would never happen. Batting her eyelashes at me wouldn’t do her a damn bit of good!” Like a wild animal, Carmella circled the living room kicking items strewn all over the floor.
*
The following week, Jackie received a summons rather than a support check. A review of the modification was scheduled for October 25. Furious with yet another distraction, she strategized how Tony would lose this round too.
October 1994
The parties stood before Judge McGovern’s oak bench. Jackie wore a beige linen suit with a black blouse. Tony’s hunched posture reflected a beaten man, which even his black three-piece pin-striped suit could not disguise. Attorney Manning argued against Wilson v. Wilson, the case Jackie previously cited. He requested that the court review the judgment and lower it to a more affordable forty-five dollars per week.
“Have there been any material changes, Mr. Manning?”
“No, your honor.”
“Has the vacation house sold, Mr. Salvucci?”
“No, your honor but—”
“It’s a yes or no question, Mr. Salvucci.” She eyed both the plaintiff and attorney. “Has the plaintiff found employment?”
“No, your honor.”
“The order stands.” The gavel clapped.
Jackie was seething. What a needless waste of time. Are we going to continue doing this until they get the answer they want? She sat on a wall outside the courthouse, feet dangling, waiting to confront Tony. She jumped off when she spotted him exiting the building.
“Tony, can I talk to you?”
He walked over to her with Johnny.
“Is your name Tony?” she asked Johnny.
Tony grinned at her pugnacity. “I’ll meet you in the coffee shop around the corner, Johnny.” He turned back to Jackie. “You’re a hell of a lawyer, Jackie.”
She ignored the compliment. “Don’t you have anything better to do with your life than torment the hell out of me?”
“Of course, I do.”
“Then do it, because you’re driving me crazy! You do realize that if you had called me I’d have agreed to twenty-seven percent of your unemployment check, don’t you? But instead you get off on this court thing. What the hell?”
“Jackie, I know I should’ve called you.”
“Then why the hell didn’t you? Do you want to see me
so badly that you keep making court dates for God’s sake?”
“No.” Tony walked with his hands in his pockets and head bowed.
Jackie stopped and looked directly up at Tony. “Then what? For sixteen years we avoided court. Now, in the year you’ve been married, we’ve been to court twice.” The sunlight bounced off Tony’s dark hair and she saw twinkles of silver.
I know.” He hesitated as a light breeze caught her long red London Fog trench coat. Red was always her color.
She caught his nostalgia like a sea breeze. She turned away, afraid to look in his eyes.
“I wish that I could relieve you from the onerous financial obligation of being Gina’s father. But in good conscience, I can’t do that.” She swallowed a lump in her throat. “You owe Gina that money. And it’s her money. I don’t need it, so I bank it for her education. We don’t bother you. She doesn’t need you. Why does this have to be so freaking hard?” A tear trickled down her cheek and dropped on her coat.
“I know. You’ve done a fantastic job. She’s a great kid.”
A surge of vulnerability made her want to flee. She glanced at Tony and saw a single tear on his cheek. In that brief moment, two hearts collided. Panic made her run. When she slowed down to catch her breath, Tony was at her side.
She feared silence would reveal the startling love she felt for Tony, so she rambled. “I have so much to do. My practice is demanding, never mind motherhood requirements. Instead of spending my time on productive things, I’m representing myself against you because we can’t seem to be civil to each other. Please, let’s stop doing this.”
“I’m sorry, Jackie. You’re right. We can do better than this. Everything’s out of control. No more court.” He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I promise.”
Their eyes met. She felt more peace between them than she had in over a decade. “I’ve got to go,” she said. He watched her walk away.
Jackie was overcome with sadness on her drive home, the highway blurred by tears. Her mind struggled to grasp her heart’s fickleness.
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