Crystal Lies - Melody Carlson [81]
“I don’t know about all that. But I still go to church, Glennis, and I’ve told Pastor McKinley about everything… In fact, we’ve talked a couple of times.”
“Really?” I was curious. “And what did he say?”
“Oh, you know, the expected things. He wasn’t pleased with what I’d done. But he did remind me that no sin is too big for God to forgive.”
“Right.” I stood up. I no longer wanted his false hand on my shoulder. “So what are you going to do about all this, Geoffrey?”
“About all what?”
“All our messed-up lives.”
“I guess there’s not much I can do about yours, Glennis, except to say I’m sorry and come to some sort of agreeable settlement.”
“Settlement?” I heard my voice getting that high-pitched sound.
“Yes, I want to be fair with you. I realize we didn’t have a prenuptial agreement, and most of our holdings came from my side of the family, so a fifty-fifty split wouldn’t really be appropriate. But I also know that you’ve grown accustomed to a certain way of living—”
“You came here to talk to me about a divorce settlement today?” I demanded.
“That wasn’t really my intention, Glennis. But I’ve been thinking about it, and you asked. I’m sorry if this seems premature.”
I took a deep breath and quickly counted to ten. “Geoffrey,” I said,“even though it hurts, I do appreciate your being honest with me. But your timing isn’t the greatest.”
“But you must’ve known it was coming to this. And, don’t forget, Glennis, you’re the one who left me. That’s an important factor in divorce court.”
“Well, I could be wrong, but infidelity is an important factor, too.”
“Look, Glennis, I think we can handle this in a civilized way. You’ve always been a sensible woman. Let’s just give this some time, and we can discuss it later. I assume you already have a lawyer.”
“I’m sure you would assume that.” I turned my back to him. I didn’t want him to see me seething. A sensible woman, indeed!
“Okay, I can see we’re getting nowhere,” he said. “But don’t forget to give Sarah a call. And if you see Jacob, well.
“Well, what?” I turned around and glared at him.
“Maybe you could let him know that I’m thinking of him. And if I have time, I’ll check into some better treatment centers for him. Gary Randolph had a daughter with a drug problem. They sent her off to Colorado—some kind of working ranch. Although it was probably quite expensive, and I expect they’ll have a waiting list.”
“If you could check,” I said, suddenly hopeful. It seemed the first time in ages that Geoffrey had taken a serious interest in his son’s welfare. “It wouldn’t hurt to get him on a list…just in case.”
He nodded and headed for the door, then paused. “And I really am sorry, Glennis.”
I took a step toward him. “Which part do you mean?” I asked. “What are you sorry for?”
“Well, everything, I suppose. But I’m sorry that it’s come down to this between you and me. It was never my plan, you know.”
I sighed, suddenly weary of this whole conversation. “I wasn’t my plan either, Geoffrey.”
He stood there for a moment, just looking at me, and I wondered if he was feeling any serious regrets right now. Was he wondering if there was still hope for us? Then he said,“I just hope we can keep this divorce civilized, Glennis. For the sake of the kids and my career, you know, since I’m the one who’ll be paying for their college tuition. No need to turn our little problems into a three-ring circus, right?”
“Right.”
And then he left.
So this was about preserving his image again. He was worried that I was going to put up a big fuss over the breakup of our marriage. Maybe he thought I would make a scene down at city hall. I imagined myself going down there in my coffee-stained sweats and bedroom slippers, with my bed-head hair sticking out like a fright wig, and yelling and screaming about how their city attorney was a worthless, adulterous jerk of a husband. I should’ve known that’s why he’d come. He’d been worried.
Maybe I should give him a little credit. He did seem somewhat concerned about Jacob and truly saddened about Matthew. But when it came right down to it, I suspect his biggest