by Jade Winters
Her thoughts rushed, and her head spun with emotional exhaustion. For some reason, she suddenly thought of the painting in the lobby of Syner and Associates, where she met Harper Anderson for the first time. In her despair, Abi wondered if God would pay Robyn back for all the hurt and pain she had caused her. That was not something God would do, not according to what she learnt in church, oh no. But there were other gods—gods of pain, gods of thunder, gods of love ... and gods of justice. The painting of Syn, the goddess who stood in for those unfairly treated, was all Abi saw in her head as her tears jerked her body uncontrollably.
The outer toilet door burst open, and she heard Jennifer’s voice filled with urgency.
‘Abi? Abi, are you alright?’
Abi didn’t answer her, mostly because she was too embarrassed.
Jennifer knocked on the cubicle door. ‘Abi, let me in. Let me have a look at you. I know what happened. Sarah told me your ex was here.’
‘Please just leave me alone,’ Abi forced out, but her voice failed her and her words bent and slurred.
‘Listen, when you’re ready, come to my office, alright? You’re coming for a drink with me after work. Call your sister and tell her you’ll be picking Jake up a little late. This nonsense will kill you if you carry on like this,’ Jennifer said.
In her tone, Abi could hear tenderness and authority all at once.
‘Y-y-yes. Okay. I j-just need a minute,’ Abi stuttered, thoroughly ashamed of her weakness, falling apart like this and giving Robyn what she wanted.
‘Okay. See you in a bit.’
Abi rested her head against the edge of the toilet, listening to Jennifer’s high heeled boots click away towards the door and eventually disappear. In her mind’s eye, she kept seeing the painting of the fierce goddess and wondered if it would be blasphemy to put her trust in that image, just for a while, just to perk her up somewhat so that she could have a more tangible deity to hold on to. While she engaged in her own spiritual dilemma, Abi realised that Harper’s law firm had a peculiar name that made the connotation with the goddess even more uncanny—Syner & Associates.
Was that a sign? Was it some kind of cosmic consolation sent her way? Either way, it possessed a certain measure of magic to it that she loved. That magical property was just what she needed to keep her hope alive and to hold her heart high enough to get through this ugly mess.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Abi waited until everyone had left for the evening before she started to gather her belongings. The miserable atmosphere of the office after hours, still illuminated, but with all the stations deserted, computers off, was reminiscent of how empty and lost Abi felt inside.
The blue carpeted corridor stretched ahead of her like an insurmountable distance she needed to traverse, one she didn’t have the strength for, but she knew that there was some reward at the end of that path. Jennifer would be in her office, ready to take Abi’s mind off her dire situation.
She had spoken to Harper, who had reassured her that Robyn was blowing hot air about going to court to get visitation rights. Harper believed this was something they could arrange between themselves. Despite Abi’s reservations, she knew Robyn had a legal right to see the child. Once Abi had calmed down, she came to terms with it. Wasn’t it something she had been pushing for all along? Well, now she was getting her just desserts. She would just have to deal with it.
I just need to get the hell out of here. Above her, the white hum of the lights depressed her, and Abi swiftly moved towards Jennifer’s office.
‘Hello,’ Jennifer said cheerfully without looking up from her laptop. ‘Won’t be a min, babe. I’m just finishing up here, alright?’
‘Okay,’ Abi answered, thankful that Jen was not an over-emotional gawker who asked a million times if she was okay.
‘If you don’t mind me asking, what did your ex want?’
Abi let out a heavy breath before recounting the events. Jennifer looked as shocked as Abi had been by Robyn’s demands and threats.
‘So what now then?’ Jennifer asked once Abi stopped speaking.
Abi shrugged her shoulders. ‘Dunno. My solicitor thinks she’s blowing hot air with her threats, so I’ll have to wait and see.’
‘Yep, that just about rounds up what bullies are.’ Jennifer said nonchalantly. ‘All talk and no action. Right, let’s get out of here, I’m dying for a drink.’
‘Are you sure I’m not imposing?’ Abi asked, suddenly feeling like a drag with her constant dramas. ‘I mean, were you going out anyway or are you just doing this for me?’
‘Oh stop it.’ Jennifer smiled as she signed off and packed her empty lunch tin and travel mug into her bag. ‘I was the one who made the offer, remember? Would I do that if I didn’t want to take you out?’
Abi uttered a sheepish snicker, and Jennifer’s green eyes flashed with amusement.
‘I’m taking you to my favourite bar; they make the best cocktails ever,’ Jennifer said as she tidied up her desk. ‘And the porn star one will leave you floating on a cloud, babe.’
For a woman who looked like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, Jennifer sure seemed to be the type who knew how to enjoy themselves. ‘Sounds good,’ Abi said, laughing at the absurd name of the drink. The closest she’d ever been to a porn star was the bootleg DVDs Robyn used to bring home and insist she watched. Not that she was a prude or anything, but porn didn’t float her boat, especially the hardcore type Robyn was in to.
Half an hour later, a taxi dropped them off outside The Glass House—a popular lesbian hangout, and to Abi’s utter amazement Jennifer appeared to be a regular as she nodded to several of the women loitering outside smoking. Still in shock, Abi tailed her colleague like a lost puppy. What’s Jennifer doing hanging out in a gay bar?
‘Meg. Two porn stars for me and my girl Abi here, please and thank you,’ Jennifer called out over the counter at a short, middle-aged woman with deep laugh lines and a chequered hat.
‘No problem, two coming your way, Jen,’ she shouted back over the boisterous crowd who gathered around the bar for service.
‘This place is quite busy for a weekday?’ Abi said the only thing she could think to say, given this unexpected surprise.
‘Yeah, but you’re the most delish woman here.’ A grin passed quickly across Jennifer’s face.
‘Oh, come off it.’ Abi self-consciously brushed her hair back. She couldn’t help but think that Jennifer must have the heart of a saint to be so kind to her or … she could be telling the truth. She daren’t think it was the latter. Hadn’t Robyn spent the last nine months of their relationship telling her how disgusting and haggard she was? That no other woman would ever look at her except in a pitiful way.
‘Seriously, you don’t give yourself even half the credit you deserve.’ Jennifer reached over and rested her hand on Abi’s knee. ‘If I’d have been there this morning, I’d have given your ex a piece of my mind. I can’t believe someone would put you through the ringer like she has. If you were my girl, I’d treat you like a queen.’
Abi’s face creased in confusion. She’d never thought for a second that Jennifer would be anything but straight. She didn’t know why exactly, but she always imagined her going home to a man for some reason. Don’t go jumping to conclusions, she told herself. All she did was pay you a compliment. Still, she had to know. ‘Jennifer are you …?’
‘Gay? Nah, I just come here ’cause I like the view … of course I’m bloody gay. Why do you think I brought you here?’ Her voice was tinged with amusement.
Heat rose to Abi’s cheeks. She knew she must be blushing furiously. Something she always did when the slightest bit embarrassed. It wasn’t that she thought lesbians had a certain look. When meeting new people, she always assumed they were straight until they told her any different. Finding out about Jennifer was something she hadn’t considered. ‘I thought you brought me here to make me feel comfortable.’
Jennifer laughed. ‘There was that as well. But I thought I s
hould tell you about me. I wanted to before, but the time was never right.’
Abi’s eyes dropped to her hands. ‘There never is a right time.’ Knowing wouldn’t have changed anything. Since her break-up with Robyn, Abi had thought of nothing but Jake. Another relationship hadn’t even entered her mind.
Jennifer tilted Abi’s chin up with the tip of her finger. Their eyes locked. ‘So now you know the truth…What about us, Abi?’
Abi laughed. ‘What? You and me?’
Jennifer leant back, obviously hurt by Abi’s response. ‘Is something funny?’
‘No,’ Abi cried and raised her hands to her face. ‘I’m not laughing at you. It’s not funny as in ha-ha—but funny as in amusing; it’s just that Robyn said no one would ever want me. That I was over the hill. But here we are.’
‘Oh, I see. Take it from me Abi, you’re far from over the hill.’ Jennifer leant towards her, planted a soft kiss on Abi’s cheek and whispered in her ear. ‘You are absolutely perfect in my eyes.’
Abi’s eyes darted around the room, looking everywhere but at Jennifer. Would it be wrong to be thinking about another relationship in the middle of a divorce? she questioned herself. Abi couldn’t deny that she was attracted to Jennifer, but was it because Jennifer was being kind to her or was the chemistry between them the real thing? Either way, things were more complicated than that. Abi didn’t come alone. ‘You know I have a baby, Jen. He comes before anyone,’ she said, half hoping it would make Jennifer back off while the other half prayed she wouldn’t.
‘Not a problem. I’d be a bit concerned about your parenting skills if he didn’t. Anyway, I love kids. Can’t say I’ve wanted one of my own, but having six nephews and four nieces, can you blame me?’
Abi’s eyes widened. ‘Oh, my God, really? That many?’
‘Yep, and I love them to death, and I’m sure if you give me the chance to get to know your little boy, I’ll feel the same about him as well.’
It was a wonderful revelation, after so many months of being cloistered in a loveless marriage with only motherhood as her purpose. Now she was sitting across from an attractive woman who apparently had the hots for her and as an added bonus loved children.
I feel like Cinderella, enjoying myself among the princes while the clock to my doom is ticking.
Judging her inner rant a bit melodramatic on that one, Abi gave no resistance when Jennifer placed her hands in her own.
‘Abi, I know you’re going through a tough time at the moment, and I’m not going to try and rush things in any way, but I want you to know I’ve got your back,’ Jennifer said, having to elevate the volume of her voice over the shouts of a rowdy group that had just entered the bar.
‘Thank you and I appreciate it, more than you’ll ever know.’ Abi smiled, growing more comfortable under Jennifer’s intense gaze.
‘How about one more drink then I’ll take you home.’
Abi reluctantly nodded her head. She wanted to stay there with Jennifer. Not go back to the cold miserable place that was called home. Even for all the hell she had in her life right now, Abi felt very upbeat. Come to think of it, she couldn’t remember the last time she was looking towards the future. She smiled to herself. It was true. You never knew what was around the corner in life. She had Jake, now it seemed Jennifer would complete the circle. Things were definitely looking up for her.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
‘Run that by me again.’ Dylan stared at the woman sat in front of her. The shock of her words hit Dylan like a slap in the face. Robyn, the hard faced woman, who only a couple of weeks ago was trying to dump her responsibilities without a second thought, was now telling her she’d had a change of heart. It seems my plan worked after all.
Robyn crossed her legs and leant back in her seat. ‘I said I want to go into mediation with Abi. I’ve thought about taking her to court for visitation rights but I want to try mediation first. I need to sort out sharing custody. I’m willing to pay maintenance if she agrees.’
‘Do you mind me asking why the sudden change of heart? Barely two weeks ago, you were threatening to fire me unless I got them out of your life and now—’
‘—Do you have kids, Dylan?’
Yeah right. Like I have the time to be a mother. ‘No.’
Robyn gave her a pitiful look. ‘Then you won’t understand.’
Oh, here we go with that old chestnut. No one can possibly know what true love is until you have a child. Dylan tried not to let her irritation show. ‘Try me. I’ve never been caught in a blazing fire, but I can imagine it would hurt like hell.’
Robyn was silent for a few seconds; finally, she said, ‘I can’t describe it.’ She shifted in her seat. ‘It’s the weirdest thing having someone that small and vulnerable dependent on you for their survival.’
Dylan stifled a yawn. ‘Sounds amazing.’ If I ever want that I’ll get something that doesn’t grow into an arsehole, like a hamster or snail.
‘It is. I want to be a part of his life. I’m sure I can work things through with Abi, given time.’
‘And your, ahem, girlfriend? She’s onboard with this new lifestyle change?’
Robyn looked indignant. ‘Of course, she is. She wants what I want.’
Dylan couldn’t wait to see how Harper was going to handle this request. After recent events, would she advise Abi to tell Robyn to stick her mediation up her arse? If the boot was on the other foot, that’s exactly what she would say.
Dylan only hoped Robyn’s change of heart would not have a negative bearing on her partnership offer. If things end amicably and Robyn’s happy, I don’t see any reason why it should.
‘Okay,’ Dylan said, going ahead with the new game plan. ‘You’re right mediation is definitely the better option. But I’ll tell you now, it’s going to be a bit difficult. The financial order Abi has applied for cites poverty as a reason to not go to mediation.’
Robyn frowned. ‘So I’ll have to go to court?’
‘At the moment yes.’ When Robyn opened her mouth to protest, Dylan held up her hand to silence her. ‘But, if you really don’t want to go down that route…’ Dylan didn’t know how Robyn was going to take her suggestion, after all when Robyn’s previous solicitor gave her the same advice, she was fired.
‘Go on,’ Robyn urged.
‘I suggest you start paying child maintenance immediately, that way I can refute the poverty claim and suggest mediation.’
To her immediate surprise Robyn smiled.
‘Okay.’
‘Okay. Well good. Right then, moving on to the next issue. We need to talk about Abi’s divorce petition. I doubt her solicitor will advise her to agree to mediation unless you withdraw your petition and agree to hers. At the moment with two petitions we’re looking at going to court.’
Robyn’s body visibly tensed. ‘What! Where she accuses me of adultery?’
Dylan cocked her head and held her gaze daring Robyn to lie straight to her face. ‘Are you sure it’s not true?’
‘Well, um, I…’ Robyn’s gaze fell to her hands. Seconds later her head shot back up. ‘Alright, alright, let her have it her way, if it’s gonna let me see Jake,’ she said with finality.
‘Okay. If you’re really sure about this, I’ll get in touch with Abi’s solicitor and see if we can come to some sort of agreement over mediation. As I said though, I suggest you make a child maintenance payment immediately if you want to avoid court.’
‘I’ll do it as soon as I leave here,’ Robyn said standing.
Dylan stood and held out her hand, feeling relieved things were finally coming together. The sooner she closed Robyn’s case the happier she’d be. Dylan didn’t like her. In reality she hadn’t from the start. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but there was something dark and dangerous about her. Robyn wasn’t the sort of person Dylan would like to have in her life on a permanent basis. I don’t understand how any woman would.
‘I’ll let you know Abi’s decision,’ Dylan said.
Dylan lowered herself onto her seat. I hope she’s no good at understanding body language.
‘The pleasure’s all mine.’
Dylan waited until Robyn was long gone before she picked up the phone and punched in Harper’s number. She wasn’t expecting a warm welcome; in fact, she would be surprised if Harper picked up at all once she realised it was her calling. Why did I have to be into someone so idealistic? She knew that Harper had every reason to feel antagonistic towards Robyn, but what the hell had she done? Her job and that was it. Dylan wasn’t the one who was putting Abi through the mill. She hadn’t even met the woman. So why was she being punished for it. Because Harper thinks you have the morals of an alley cat, that’s why.
After several rings, Harper answered. The reception Dylan got was as frosty as she’d expected. ‘I thought you’d like to know Robyn Massey wants to enter mediation with your client.’
‘Is that right?’
Dylan couldn’t read the tone of her voice. She took the pen from her desk and tapped it repeatedly against her knee. ‘Yes, and I suggest you advise your client to try and work things out this way.’
‘Was this your suggestion ’cause you’re scared of losing?’
Dylan laughed, but there wasn’t any humour in it. ‘I told you, Harper. I do what’s best for my client. My client has had a change of heart about the baby. I only do as I’m asked, nothing more, nothing less.’
‘I’ll let my client know.’
How the hell am I going to melt this iceberg? ‘You do that.’