by Lin Stepp
“Fortunately, experience isn’t a requirement,” Charlotte told Jenna in her matter of fact way. “But sincerity is. All you need to do is talk to Him with sincerity like a good friend. Share your heart. There’s not always going to be someone to go through everything hard with us in this life, but God is always there. And if things are not okay between you and Him, that is the first thing you need to pray about as you set out on the road. It’s good to have a lot of friends and a good attorney and all of that when you’re in trouble. But there is nothing that beats having a supernatural friend when things are tough.”
“Having a little supernatural help would be really good right now,” Jenna admitted, still crying and sniffling around her words.
“Well, remember where you can get that help,” Charlotte said.
“I will, and I’ll really miss you, Charlotte.”
Charlotte’s voice grew soft then. “I’ll be missing you, too. I love you and am glad and blessed you came into my life, Jenna. You phone me when you can. If you don’t call real soon, I’ll understand. You have a lot to get through. But you know my love is right here waiting for you.”
They hung up, and Jenna walked through the cabin one last time to see if she had left anything. And then she was off.
The trip back north proved long and anxious, and Jenna had plenty of opportunities to try out Charlotte’s advice. Praying made the trip less lonely, and talking everything out was calming. Jenna drove almost eight hours before she stopped for the night.
“Well, Lord, I’ve spent almost the whole trip praying and I have to admit I feel a lot better for talking it all out with you.” She paused. “Thanks for listening and I hope You’ll help me through all that’s to come.”
Waking groggily the next morning, Jenna grabbed a muffin, fruit, and coffee at the motel before starting up the road again. Maury was right about it being easier to drive into New York after the morning rush. It was one less stressful event she didn’t need right now.
As mid morning arrived, Jenna parked her car in the parking garage in downtown New York and was soon standing in front of her apartment. She took a deep breath before unlocking the door. Walking in, she found everything exactly the same. Everything except for Elliott’s suitcases and hang-bags draped over the bed. He evidently hadn’t unpacked before he went looking for her. The closet door stood open, and it was obvious Jenna’s suitcases were missing and that many of her clothes were gone. She noticed the door to her little work studio flung wide open, too. Elliott must have seen that her laptop and art supplies were also missing.
Jenna shook her head in annoyance with herself. She realized she’d never even considered what Elliott might think if he came back early and found her missing. Or what he would do if he learned she wasn’t in the Poconos. She wondered how he found out she wasn’t there. Jenna heaved a regretful sigh. Invariably she would learn that soon enough.
She wandered into the kitchen to make some coffee and then, as she’d been advised, called her attorney.
Maury told her he’d be over in an hour and gave her a list of paperwork to look for in Elliott’s desk.
“Should I call my mother?” she asked with reluctance.
“Will she come right over if you do?”
“Probably,” she answered, wincing at the idea.
He chuckled. “Well, then let it wait a little longer. I’d rather you and Sam and I talk together about everything without her. She doesn’t have to know when you arrived. And if anyone calls before I get there, don’t answer the phone. Okay?”
“Okay.” She was glad for his counsel. “I’m glad you know what is right to do.”
“Thanks for the flattery, but it’s my job, Jenna. Relax. Drink some coffee. Take a shower. Everything’s going to be fine. I’ll see you in an hour.”
As Maury advised, Jenna showered, dressed, and then looked for the financial papers he wanted. After finding what she could, she sat down with a cup of coffee and called Carla.
“Hey, I’m here and all in one piece,” she told her.
“Oh, Jen, I’m so glad you’re home safe.” Carla’s voice rushed over the phone. “Do you want me to come right over? I can get John to cover for me at the bookstore …”
Jenna interrupted her. “No. But thanks, Carla. Maury Berkowitz is on his way over, so I’ll be tied up for a while. We’re going over to Sam’s to talk.”
“Well, good,” Carla replied. “You’ll have some outside support with Sam there. Berkowitz is a good attorney, Jenna. John and I know him, and we’ve only heard the best things about him. He’ll be a great help.”
“I hope so.” She clenched her hands anxiously, dreading the day.
Jenna heard Carla close the cash register drawer at the store. “Listen, we’ve moved all the storage boxes and John is painting the apartment today. You can start moving in this weekend. If you don’t want to stay at Elliott’s until then, you can stay with us. John and I don’t want you to stay at your place after Elliott is released from the hospital, Jenna. Even if Elliott is in a cast, we think the man is dangerous. I mean, look what he did to Sam.”
“I think Elliott is already regretting that.” Jenna rubbed her head where a nagging headache was starting to set up. “It will have dawned on him by now that he overstepped himself, that he lost control. Elliott hates that. He’ll still be angry, but he’ll be in control now. He won’t risk arrest with another attack on someone.”
Carla hesitated. “Still, I don’t trust him.”
“Neither do I,” admitted Jenna, with a long sigh. “But for very different reasons.”
She walked over to look out the balcony window over Central Park.
“The park’s turned green while I’ve been gone,” she commented quietly to Carla.
“You’re tired, aren’t you, Jen?” Carla asked softly.
“Yes.” Jenna rubbed her forehead. “Maury says he’s bringing papers to start the divorce action. And you’ll be glad to know he’s writing in some sort of protective order so that Elliott won’t bother me. That seems like a cop out, but I’m glad. I’d prefer to see Elliott more in the company of others. At least for now. He’s going to be angry, Carla, and Elliott can be cruel with his words when he is angry. I dread that. He always has a way of making me feel so worthless. He’s artful with words.”
“He uses his gift in a twisted way.” Carla’s voice held a touch of anger.
“Yes, that he does. I have been a victim of that gift for a long time, but not for much longer. I plan to move just as soon as Maury says I can, Carla. There are obviously some legal reasons why I need to be here now - until some paperwork is in place. I guess I have to stay until someone says it’s okay for me to move out without losing anything of importance in the negotiations.”
“Maury probably wants to be sure you can’t be accused of desertion or anything.”
She shrugged. “Maybe. I don’t know much about legal things. I guess I’ll learn as I go. But one thing I will not do is take care of Elliott when he comes home to this apartment. I know he will need someone if he is in a cast and recovering, and it would be just like him to expect me to do it despite what has happened. However, I’m determined that will be something I will not do, no matter what I should do legally.”
Carla giggled. “I can think of some wonderful malicious tricks we could play on him while he convalesces.”
“Well it won’t happen,” said Jenna, smiling in spite of herself at Carla. “I don’t want any vengeance. I just want out. I want my life back. He has stolen enough of it.”
“I’m so proud of you,” Carla told her. “You’re being so brave through all of this.”
“No, I’ve been my usual cowardly self through all of this, avoiding confrontation, running and hiding from any trouble or unpleasantness.” She said the words candidly. “But I want to start doing better. I’d like to become someone I can admire.”
“You mean kick some butt?” Carla asked with zeal.
“No, be my real self wi
th calm and self-assurance.”
“Wow. You’ve gotten thoughtful while you’ve been away,” declared Carla. “I like that. You know, as an artist, you should be capable of working on a new self very effectively. Judith Viorst said, ‘We each are artists of the self’, so who better to create a beautiful new self than an artist? And you have such good material to work with.” She laughed with warmth. “You know you’ve always been special to me, Jenna.”
“Thanks Carla. And if I turn out even half as nice as you I will count myself happy.”
Carla chuckled now. “Shoot, we sound like a mutual admiration society. I think we’d better stop before we get really maudlin here.”
The doorbell rang as they started to giggle.
“There’s the door.” Jenna went over to cautiously check the peephole. “It’s Maury, so I’ve got to go now. Wish me luck. I’ll talk to you later.”
Maury Berkowitz, a tall, silver-haired man, probably in his late fifties, had an aura of ease and power about him. He shook hands with Jenna firmly and assessed her with kind, but keenly appraising eyes. Jenna liked him right away. They made small talk for a few minutes getting acquainted, and then Maury got right down to business looking over the papers Jenna had gathered and asking her needed questions. They finished with initial business in less than an hour, and called to tell Sam they would soon be over to his place.
Jenna enjoyed a warm reunion with Sam – who looked fit and well. Sam’s housekeeper Mary insisted on fixing lunch for all of them while cooking for Sam.
It pleased Jenna to find that she actually understood, more clearly than she thought she would, just what her legal options would be in the divorce action.
Maury gave good explanations. “I have written out all the grounds for initiating a divorce and I’ve mapped out the requests you should ask for in the divorce, such as expectations about payment of legal fees, who receives possession of the marital residence, and distribution of marital property expected. Because you haven’t been working full-time, I’ve asked for some spousal support for a season, until you can expect to become self-supporting - specifically some monthly income help and insurance coverage. Because you didn’t ask for the marital residence or its furnishings, I asked for financial help for you toward a new residence. That should cover your deposit, the first few months rent, and money for some needed furnishings. This is reasonable in a situation like yours and Elliott’s.”
“What about Elliott’s financial assets?” Sam raised a brow. “They are considerable, Maury.”
“They are. However, Jenna came to her marriage with some money of her own. From what Jenna told me, that money is still intact and put away. All that needs to be done here is to be sure it is all returned totally to Jenna’s maiden name. Jenna made it clear to me that she wants to resume that name after her divorce. I’ll help her do that and I’ll help her establish new accounts and credit for herself in her own name. Jenna told me she doesn’t want to make claim on Elliott’s assets, Sam.”
“Why not, Jenna?” Sam looked at her in surprise.
“We’ve only been married two years, Sam. What Elliott has earned and saved should stay his. It is more than fair if he helps me for a short time like Maury laid out. I really didn’t even expect that. Park Press is willing to let me work full-time instead of part-time, so I will have employment. The apartment Carla and John are leasing to me is one I will be able to afford. I’m going to be all right. I don’t want to try to take more than I feel is fair, even with all the problems and betrayals.”
Sam frowned. “You could get more because of emotional damage and trauma. Because of the adulteries.”
Jenna shook her head. “Money won’t help those hurts, Sam. Getting on with my own life will.”
“You see why I love her so much?” Sam said to Maury.
“When can I move out?” Jenna asked on a new note. “That is important to me. I hate to sound neurotic and emotional, but I really don’t want to sleep in that place. If possible, I’d like to pack up and get out as soon as I can. It is an oppressive place for me now, filled with bad memories. I would prefer not to stay there even for another day unless I have to.”
Sam looked at Maury. “Can she move out without losing any ground? She can come over here and stay with me.”
“I’ll check.” Maury tapped his pen on the table thoughtfully. “If we get this paperwork completed, typed up, and get Jenna’s signatures on everything, we should be able to serve Elliott by tomorrow. I don’t think we’ll have any trouble finding him to serve him in person, since he’s in the hospital with his leg strung up in a cast. He’s not going anywhere for at least a week.”
He stopped, considering his next words. “Once he’s served, you can probably start to move out, Jenna. I think I can get legal assent for that since you are not seeking the marital residence in the requests. As for today, go ahead and start your packing. It’s something you’re going to have to do, anyway, and it’ll keep you busy. Tonight, you should probably sleep in the apartment. I’m sorry about that. By tomorrow, I should have an okay for you to stay at Sam’s or over at your friend Carla’s for the rest of the week - until you can move into your own apartment. However, after Elliott gets out of the hospital, I do not want you staying over here at Sam’s too close to Elliott.”
Jenna looked up anxiously. “But surely I’ll be able to visit Sam?”
“Of course,” Maury assured her. “But for a while, we’ll have Henry here whenever you come, and we’ll try to time your visits when Elliott will be gone. I don’t want you running into him in the elevator or the hallway when you are alone. Henry can come down to meet you and escort you in and out of the building.”
Jenna sighed audibly and looked disappointed.
Sam smiled. “It will only be for a little while, Jenna girl. Later, once the divorce is final, I’m sure you’ll be able to come and go more freely. Right now we just want to protect you in case Elliott has another loss of temper.”
Maury cleared his throat. “Speaking of which, Sam and I need to discuss how we’re going to proceed with our other matter. Sam, you need to decide whether you want to press formal charges or not against Elliott for assault. It’s a serious charge, and even with a good lawyer and some artful defense, Elliott could come out with a criminal record. I don’t think he will want that.”
Sam looked thoughtful, and then he smiled slyly. “Suppose I was willing to drop charges if Elliott agreed to move out of this apartment building and move a specified distance away from my residence?”
“Well, well.” Maury considered this, grinning. “That’s an interesting idea.”
Sam grinned back. “I’d find it really difficult to continue to see this guy on my floor and in my building any more, considering that he attacked me.” He feigned a pitiful tone, smiling all the while. “And I can hardly avoid him with his apartment practically right across from mine. It might be traumatic for me, a sick guy and all.” He chuckled.
“You’re a clever old dog, Sam Oliver,” said Maury, thumping him on the back. “We could try it. Besides, even if you press charges, Elliott probably wouldn’t get much legal punishment. His lawyer will find some loophole to make it look as thought he was emotionally distressed or traumatized over finding his wife missing. However, Elliott might not want to take the risk in court, even so. He might prefer moving to having the possibility of an assault charge on his unblemished record. That sort of thing is not good for business.”
They all considered this for a minute.
“It just might work,” said Maury. “Besides, Elliott might not want to continue living near you any longer, either, Sam. It actually might not bother him to move out – especially to avoid litigation.”
Jenna considered this, her eyes brightening. “If Elliott moves, then I won’t need protection to come over to see Sam. Right?”
“Another point in favor of trying this.” Sam smiled at her. “I want my Jenna to be able to come over to see me whenever she wants to withou
t worrying about running into Elliott Howell.”
“Okay.” Maury closed his briefcase. “I’ll try it. It would be to Elliott’s advantage all the way around to agree. He was threatening to sue Henry at first until his attorney straightened him out on that. Hopefully, his attorney will help him see the advantage of this deal.”
A new thought came to Jenna. “Will I have to go to court and have a trial to get this divorce?” She chewed on her lip as she considered this.
“Probably not,” said Maury. “We are filing action for divorce on grounds of adultery. That’s one of the six grounds for divorce in New York. There will be no trial unless Elliott contests. Everything should move along smoothly and the divorce should be processed within about 60 days or so unless Elliott contests or gives an answer to his summons with counter claims. That isn’t likely. His attorney will be informed of the evidence we have against him. He would be foolish to contest. Plus, you are asking for only reasonable requests.”
They talked a little longer to get all the details for the legal papers in order. Then Mary called them in for lunch. Jenna picked at her food as the men talked, her mind preoccupied with all the changes ahead.
As Maury gathered up his papers to leave after lunch, Jenna thought of another question to ask him.
“When should I go to see Elliott?”
“Why should you even go?” Sam asked this with annoyance.
Jenna gave him a patient look in return. ‘You know I have to go and talk to him, Sam. It would be cowardly not to. Plus I need to.”
Maury thought about this. “Well, don’t go until after the papers are served tomorrow,” he said. “I don’t want any potential difficulties until then. I’ll call you when that is done, and then you can go for a visit if you wish. But I’d like to be present, if you don’t mind.”
Jenna scowled. “That will make him think that I’m afraid of him. It seems to me that I should see him on my own.”
Maury considered this. “Well, I’ll slip out of the room for a minute or two if you want. But I won’t go far. He’s in the hospital. We don’t want him to try to come up with stories that you came in and threatened him or that you said anything you didn’t. He’s going to be looking for opportunities to get back at you. Elliott’s the type that doesn’t think things are his fault, even when they are. I’ve been around his kind before.”