Chapter 14 - The Divorce Papers
Two weeks later, Claire found divorce papers on the kitchen table.
Her heart stopped.
Drew entered.
“They’re mine.”
Claire stared at him.
“You want a divorce?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“Because you never got to choose.”
Claire didn’t understand.
Drew explained.
Legally, they were still married.
Neither had filed.
Their marriage had survived five years of separation.
But Drew no longer wanted the accident of paperwork to decide their future.
“If you stay married to me,” he said, “I want it to be because you choose me now. Not because Charles stole your chance to leave properly.”
Claire cried.
Not because she wanted the divorce.
Because Drew finally understood what had been stolen from her.
Choice.
She took the papers.
Drew left the room.
He gave her the night.
In the morning, Claire returned them.
Unsigned.
Drew looked at her.
“You’re sure?”
“No.”
He smiled sadly.
Claire continued.
“But I’m sure I want the chance to become sure.”
Drew laughed.
“That might be the most Claire answer imaginable.”
She smiled.
“Then you remember me.”
“I remember everything.”
They agreed to start again.
Dates.
Conversations.
Arguments without disappearing.
Love without ownership.
Marriage without fear.
That night Drew took Claire to the diner where they had their first date.
The waitress recognized him from television.
May you like
Claire laughed until she cried.
And for once, the tears felt good.
