“I could have sworn I saw you put this back in” Bette had said while handing Tina’s forgotten earring back to her. A mistake her friend Alice would later term “the oldest trick in the book”. Tina had told this story a thousand times. She knew the nuances of it. Knew just how to tell it to strangers or to friends. Which parts to cut or highlight for desired effect. However she had never before told it in this way. A way that left her feeling so terribly empty. She had never before told this story to a divorce lawyer on the other side of a life that seemed so close and far at the same time. Tina wasn’t even sure why she was going into all of this anyway. She was there to end this, not rehash how it all began. Blame it on hormones, or exhaustion from sleeping on Alice’s couch for the last two weeks, or the fact that this was her fourth lawyer’s appointment in three days. Whatever the reason Tina had started down this path and there were no signs she’d stop. At least that’s how it looked from Robert Winthrop Esq’s side of the desk.

Tina Kennard was his last appointment of the day and from the half dozen used tissues not to mention the now ruined Hermes handkerchief that lay in front of him it seemed he would not be making those dinner reservations after all. Robert was a well known attorney specializing in Civil Rights and family law. Which was fortunate, Robert thought, because if he cancelled on his husband one more time, he’d be sure to need a good lawyer. Tina was catching her breath now. She looked up at her prospective counsel, fixing her face with the most self assured look she could manage. “So I’d like this to be as quick and painless as possible.” clearing her throat she continued, “I don’t want to hurt Bette” Tina’s self assured mask slipped as a far away gaze took over. “I need to get control. I just don’t know where to start to end this.” Tina’s voice hitched with this last proclamation and she buried her head in her hands. Robert looked at his watch and pushed the box of Kleenex closer to Tina. A sob leaked from Tina’s hands and Robert looking at his watch again pressed the buzzer on his intercom. “Claire? Can you cancel my reservations and have my car pulled around front?” “Yes sir” Claire’s voice crackled through the tinny speaker. “Stupid thing. Sound sucks” Robert said annoyed. He rounded his desk and sat on the edge looking down at his new client. Tina wiping her eyes and offering as much of a smile as she could manage tried apologizing. Robert cut her off, “Go wash your face. We are going for a drink” Tina looked down at her swollen belly and back up at Robert. “Well, ***** I need one damnit, and you need a lawyer. Bathroom is through there” Robert said pointing the way.