Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
B arbara came over Sunday night for dinner.
She’d been away on vacation with her husband, Ryan, so Mandy hadn’t wanted to bother her with the Cory drama while she was relaxing in the Bahamas.
But when Barbara called earlier to check in once she arrived home, Mandy filled her in, and Barbara was suitably horrified.
“What are you doing tonight? Do you want to go out for a drink? We need to talk this through.”
Mandy sighed. She would have loved to go out and relax over a glass of wine.
“I can’t. Cory just dropped the kids off an hour ago. But why don’t you come to dinner? I’m making lasagna, and there will be plenty. Once the kids eat, we can chat.”
“Perfect. I’ll bring the wine.”
Barbara pulled Mandy in for a tight hug when she arrived and handed her a bottle of Duckhorn Cabernet, which was one of their favorite wines.
“You deserve the good stuff,” Barbara said, looking around for a wine opener.
Mandy pulled it out of a drawer and handed it to her.
“Thank you.”
She watched as Barbara expertly opened the bottle, found two wineglasses in a cupboard, filled them, and handed her a glass.
Mandy took a small sip. As usual, it was delicious, a big, bold cabernet, and she knew it would taste even better once it opened up a bit.
She called the kids in for dinner, and they gathered around the kitchen table.
When everyone was done eating, the kids went into the living room to watch TV.
Mandy put the leftover lasagna in the refrigerator and the dishes in the sink, then she and Barbara brought their glasses of wine and settled at the kitchen island.
“So how are you really doing?” Barbara asked gently.
Mandy forced a smile. “Well, the good news is I got the results back from the STD test, and it was negative.”
“That’s great news!” Barbara sounded so enthusiastic.
Mandy’s eyes immediately welled with tears, and she sniffled with embarrassment.
“I thought I was doing better than this. I thought I was all cried out. It’s just… It’s hard. I really didn’t suspect a thing. Not until I found that phone bill.”
“You said he’s been kind of a jerk though lately. How long ago did that start?” Barbara took a sip of wine and looked furious on Mandy’s behalf, which she appreciated.
“Probably about a year, actually. But it really got worse about six months ago. Everything I did seemed to irritate him.”
Barbara nodded. “Yet he says there was nothing you did?”
Mandy shook her head. “That’s what is so frustrating about this. He said it was just him. But I know there must have been something broken in our relationship for him to do what he did.”
Barbara looked thoughtful. “Or maybe it’s just that he is broken. I mean, Cory had it all. Beautiful family, money, and a company where people constantly praised him. He was super successful. Maybe it just went to his head?”
Mandy nodded. “Maybe. He said something to that effect, just that it was a challenge and the thrill of doing something and getting away with it. But if things were really good with us, I don’t think it would have happened.
” That was what Mandy couldn’t get past. She kept going over and over their relationship, trying to figure out where things first went wrong.
“What do you think it might be then?”
“I’m really not sure. I think it may be all that, but also I think maybe we just grew apart too.
For years, we’ve kind of been on separate tracks, me with the kids and Cory with work.
It consumes him. He works such long hours that by the time he comes home and eats dinner, he’s usually asleep on the sofa an hour later. ”
Barbara lifted her glass. “I know you guys would have us over and come to our place now and then, but did you ever go out on date nights? Just the two of you to dinner?”
Mandy laughed. “Not in ages. It’s not like I didn’t try. But every time I suggested it this past year, Cory was always too tired. He was often too tired for other activities too.” She made a face. “I didn’t think much of that before, but it makes more sense now.”
“I’m sorry, but he’s an ass,” Barbara said sharply and lifted her glass for another sip.
“Don’t be sorry. I fully agree. I called a divorce attorney on Friday. We have a meeting tomorrow.”
“Good. At least find out what all your options are,” Barbara said.
“It’s all so ugly. But I kind of want to just move forward and get it done.
I don’t want to change my mind. Cory keeps asking me to give him another chance.
” When he’d dropped the kids off that afternoon, he’d pulled her aside to tell her how awful he felt, and he really did seem sorry.
He’d looked as sad as she felt. But she’d told him she couldn’t do it.
“Do you think you could? You don’t have to rush anything.” Barbara added a little more wine to their glasses.
“I know. I don’t want to rush this, but I don’t want to be in limbo either, and I know if I gave him a second chance, I would be.
” Mandy took a sip of wine, and they were both quiet for a moment.
She set her glass down. “It’s funny, but he actually physically repulses me now that I know he’s been with other people.
He tried to pull me in for hug, and my stomach clenched.
I used to be so attracted to him.” Mandy felt a wave of sadness sweep over her.
She took another sip of wine. “My emotions are all over the place.”
“I’m sure they are,” Barbara said sympathetically.
“I’ll talk in more detail with the divorce attorney when I meet with her in person, but we spoke a bit on the phone.
She said I should ask to keep the house.
She also said that if I wanted to really go after Cory, I could do something called a forensic audit and uncover all his personal and company finances and demand a percentage of the company. ”
“Definitely the house.” Barbara picked up her wineglass. “Do you want to do an audit? Do you think Cory is hiding anything with the company?”
“I don’t think so. I’d never even heard of that before.
She said it’s just an option to consider if Cory makes an unusually low agreement offer.
I hope I don’t have to do that. It sounds stressful, and I don’t really want to own part of his company.
That would tie me to him. I’d rather just have a lump sum, whatever the lawyer thinks is fair, once they look over all the financial details. ”
Barbara nodded. “It will be in his best interest to be generous. I’m sure Cory doesn’t want an audit or the legal stress either.”
Mandy sighed again. “Honestly, it makes me feel stressed just thinking about it.”
Barbara’s eyes radiated sympathy. “How are the kids handling it? They seemed good. Do they know why you’re splitting?”
“No. I didn’t want to tell them. They’re too young. And Cory was fine with that.”
“Of course he was,” Barbara scoffed.
Mandy smiled. “The kids are good though. They were upset when I first told them, and they don’t understand, but they know Cory’s just a few streets away. I guess that’s a good thing.”
Barbara frowned. “A little close for comfort. It’s just a rental though, right?”
“Yeah. He’ll probably buy something once everything is finalized, and hopefully it won’t be as close by.”
Barbara grinned. “You’ll want a little privacy for when you start dating!”
Mandy laughed. “I can’t even imagine. That is so not on my radar. I don’t know that it ever will be. Not any time soon anyway. I’m just grateful that I have Mimi’s Place to focus on.”
“You know, it might do you good to talk to someone. I know a good therapist. I can text you her contact info.”
Mandy hesitated. She’d never thought of herself as someone who would need to talk to a therapist. It seemed like an admission of failure. But maybe it would help.
“You don’t have to decide on that now. I’ll text you her info, and if you want to call, great. If not, no worries.” Barbara smiled and leaned forward. “So tell me about this event you want to do. Ryan and I will be sure to come in soon. It’s been a while since I’ve been there.”
Mandy appreciated the change of subject.
She’d needed to vent but was ready to move on and talk about something happier.
They chatted for another hour before Barbara headed home and Mandy got the kids up to bed and followed soon after.
She was utterly exhausted and fell fast asleep not long after climbing into bed.