Once Upon a Fantasy Ch. 03-04

"I don't know what to tell you?" I admitted, closing my eyes and resting my head on the sofa back.

"Why don't you tell us what you know and we can compare," she suggested.

I thought about it. My children were growing up too fast for me to keep up with them. I don't know why I was surprised. They were both bright kids and Andrea's attempts at keeping her affairs secret had proved futile.

"I met Mrs. LeDane one day a few months ago. I'm sure you remember her. She told me that she divorced Mr. LeDane because he had cheated on her more than once. When I came home, I told your mother about it and she gave me a real funny look ... like she was scared or something. It was bugging me and I couldn't sleep so I came downstairs to get something to drink and while I was here, I looked in her purse. I found the cell phone and the numbers she had been calling.

"I tracked them down and found out one of them belonged to Mr. LeDane and the other one to another man I didn't know. I did some digging and found out your mother had an affair with Mr. LeDane and is having one even now with someone else. I've talked to a lawyer to see what I should do, but I haven't made up my mind yet."

Candice squeezed my arm and I could see a few tears on her cheek.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. I won't let anything or anyone hurt you if I can help it. You won't lose me, I promise."

She nodded, unable to say anything as she sniffed her nose and dried her tears.

"Why, Dad. Why does she want to hurt us?"

I shook my head. "I don't know. I really don't. It hurts a lot, doesn't it?"

She nodded, still sniffing as the grip on my arm tightened.

"I'm going to ask you to do something for me. Something important. I want you to act normally around your mother. The lawyer I talked to said we needed to wait before letting her know we found out about her affair. Can you do that? For me, please?"

She nodded. "I think so. It'll be hard, but I'll try. I hate her now."

"No, Candy ... not hate. I know you're angry, but we don't know why she's doing this. Don't hate her. She's your mother and nothing will change that."

"I'll try Dad. But you better tell Brandon because he's really pissed with her too."

"Language, Candy," I admonished with a smile.

The two must have decided that this was the time to let me know about Andrea because Brandon came downstairs and sat on the other side of me.

"She told you?" he asked.

"Yes ... but I already knew."

"Why's she doing this, Dad?"

"I don't know. Maybe she's unhappy with me. Maybe I'm not a good enough husband. She's never said she was unhappy. I just don't know why."

"Dad says we have to act normal so she doesn't know we know."

Brandon nodded but remained silent.

"Do we have to live with her if you get a divorce?" he asked finally.

"Not if I can help it. I'm told you will be asked where you want to live and why. That will carry some weight with the court. I'll guess we'll have to keep our fingers crossed."

We sat there, the three of us, our thoughts all in a jumble, wondering what the future would bring. I certainly didn't know. I could understand their fear. Fear of the unknown. I was feeling the same thing.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Bruncardo. I'm Norman Tyler."

"Good afternoon ... and please call me Emilio. We're going to be spending some time together over the next while."

"Fine, Emilio. I'm Norm to my friends."

He directed me to a long table where we sat side-by-side. He had done some homework already and had what looked like a spreadsheet laid out in front of us.

"I did some research on your business and with your permission I met with Walter Cromwell to discuss how this agreement came about. He holds you in high regard, Norman. I'm sure you'll be talking to him soon. I assume you've told him that my interest is in giving you maximum protection in the event of your divorce. That's what I wanted to discuss with you today."

"Walter and I are very good friends and there are few secrets between us," I smiled.

"As well as being a good man, he is also a very clever businessman. The way he has structured this agreement of sale protects both him and you to some degree. But for now, let's get some basics out of the way."

I sat with him for the next hour and a half and we discussed everything about both the business and our household income. I told him that since I was the only breadwinner in the home that it was my name only on the mortgage and on the deed. I had brought our latest monthly statement on our status and we owed $94,877.62 as of the end of the previous month. The estimated value on the market was $590,000. Assuming a fifty-fifty division of assets, I would realize approximately $225,000 from a sale if that became necessary.

Our retirement accounts were already separate and held about $150,000 each. In addition, there was the college fund for each of the children. Those would be exempt from the split with a simple transfer to one or the other party. The big issue was going to be the business.

I've had never had an offer from anyone to buy it, so I had no idea of its commercial value to someone. That was something that Emilio was going to have to work out. And that was when he began to discuss my options. The court or the conciliator would want to have a valuation of the business for the purposes of deciding what each partner would retain. It wouldn't be a fifty-fifty split, he said, because my name had "goodwill" attached to it whereas Andrea's did not.

In theory, I could sell the business and walk away and it would be worth less than if I stayed to run the business as I had been. I could borrow against the business and buy Andrea out once the split of assets had been decided. There were a couple of more devious possibilities, although legal, not very palatable to me. I didn't just have my family to consider, I had nearly twenty employees to think about as well.

"Many of these decisions can't be made until the conciliator rules, Norman. That will help us decide on the right path for you and your family. Of course, if you decide not to divorce now but perhaps later when the children are older, the situation will have changed again. I'm going to produce a summary of your choices for you so that you can consider them. Whatever you decide, I'll try and give you the best result that is possible within the framework of the law."

"Thank you Emilio. I have to admit, I don't understand it all, but I'm glad I have you on my side," I smiled.

"We'll get you through this, Norman. Keep the faith," he said, shaking my hand.

It was on a Friday morning over two weeks later when I heard from Margaret Shadbolt. I was anxious to hear what she had to say when I met with her that afternoon. The acting that the children and I had to do around the house was beginning to wear thin and I was surprised that Andrea hadn't said something about our behavior. Perhaps she was distracted by her own sneaking around.

We hadn't had sex in over three weeks, but I didn't get the feeling that she missed it or even noticed it had been that long. I thought about saying something, but that might precipitate her trying to initiate sex and I really didn't have the stomach for it. I had already closed the door on our marriage and now I was just marking time until it was necessary for me to confront her. These had not been good weeks in the Tyler household.

I had stayed close to Brandon and Candice. I wanted them to keep their spirits up as well as their acting. So far they had been very good at behaving normally. I also kept them informed of what was going on with our lawyer. The time was drawing near when it would all come to a head.

"Norm, I'd like to meet with your son and daughter," Margaret began. "I'd like to talk to them about what's happening and how they feel about. I want to do that in private so that they aren't influenced by your presence. Are you okay with that?"

"Yes. I trust you. When do you want to do it?"

"As soon as you can arrange it. Why don't you let me know when that's possible and I'll make time for them."

"Fine. I'll figure out a way to have them here without arousing Andrea's suspicion."

"In the meantime, my investigator has filed a report on Kurt Howell. He's pretty much what he seems to be. Divorced for the past five years. The divorce was listed as irreconcilable differences. It was concluded before the new alternative system came into being.

"He's a manager of site operations for Everlast Construction. They specialize in commercial developments. He lives in a small home that he bought after his divorce and fixed up. I'm told it's quite nice and worth a lot more than he bought it for. The neighbors all think he's a good guy and don't have anything bad to say about him. There's nothing unusual or suspicious about his business practices.

"He's been seeing Andrea for about a year from what we can tell. They meet at his house for obvious reasons. Twice a week, almost like clockwork, Tuesday and Thursday. There's no evidence they meet on the weekend, but it's possible. There's no indication that they go out in public together. She parks her car around the back of the house out of sight from the road.

"All things considered, Andrea is being very careful with this relationship. If she hadn't slipped up with the children and her reaction when you told her about meeting Mrs. LeDane, she might not have been discovered for some time yet."

"So," I sighed, "Where does that leave us?"

"If you're ready, then I'd say it's time to talk to her. Time to let her know what you know and see what she has to say. You don't have to commit to anything at this stage. I get the impression you haven't made up your mind about what to do so leave your options open."

"You're right. I haven't made up my mind. I keep hoping there's a way out of this that will keep my family together. But ... I don't think I can get over her having at least two affairs over the past three years. That's really too much to swallow."

Margaret nodded. "I understand, but don't jump off the bridge right away. Let her talk. Let her try and explain. You'll know the truth when you hear it. You'll also know when she lies. It's a judgment thing, Norm. Use your brain, not your heart. Good luck," she said, rising and shaking my hand.

So there it was. The time had come at last. I was not looking forward to the coming confrontation, but I knew it had to be done and better sooner than later.

I didn't strike me that Friday evening was a good time to try and talk to Andrea. First of all, I didn't want the kids witnessing it. I knew they would be out with their friends on the weekend, so I decided that I would talk to her on Sunday morning. I wasn't happy about having to keep this showdown to myself for two more days, but it was the best solution I had.

"What are you guys up to this weekend," I asked my kids as we sat around the dinner table.

"Baseball season starts in three weeks and some of the guys thought we ought to get together and warm up our arms and play some ball at the school."

"Sounds like a good idea," I said. "What about you, Candy."

She shrugged. "I don't know. I'll probably hang out with Deb and Vanessa. Maybe go to the mall. The usual stuff."

I was watching Andrea while this conversation was going on and she seemed completely disinterested.

"What about you, Mom?" Brandon asked boldly.

"Huh?" she said, snapping out of her thoughts.

"He was asking what your plans are for this weekend," I repeated.

"Oh ... I have to go shopping tomorrow and then I might go visit my sister on Sunday afternoon. I haven't seen her in quite a while. You don't mind, do you Norm?"

"No, not at all. It's good to stay close to family."

I was fairly confident I could find time to talk to Andrea at some point before Sunday afternoon. I would just have to wait for the opportunity.

On Sunday morning Brandon was up and out before nine, on his way to the ball diamond for some more baseball practice. The weather was good and he and his friends had been bitten by the annual spring bug.

Candy was somewhat later getting up, but decided she wanted to go and "hang out" with her friends at Deb's house. I didn't mind that. I was sure there would be some adult supervision, not that I thought she needed it. Neither of the children knew of my plan to confront their mother.

I was pouring my second cup of coffee and Andrea had just finished with the breakfast dishes when I decided it was time.

"Andrea, I'd like to talk to you."

She looked at me as I sat down at the kitchen table once more. She followed me, sitting on the other side facing me. She had that look that I remembered from months ago when I mentioned Janice LeDane's name.

I stuttered and stammered, trying to find a way to begin when she interrupted me.

"You know, don't you."

"Know what."

"About Kurt. About my affair. I was sure you must because of the way you've been acting around me."

I sighed, closing my eyes as I leaned back in my chair.

"Yes ... I know."

"I'm sorry, Norman. I've been trying to find a way to tell you but I just haven't had the courage to do it. I didn't want to hurt you. Please believe me."

I had a sudden thought that hadn't occurred to me until just then.

"Do you love him?"

She looked down, unable to meet my eyes.

"Yes."

"Are you planning to leave?"

She nodded. "I can't continue to cheat on you and the children the way I have. I'm very sorry, Norman. I never wanted it to happen ... but it did."

All my rehearsed questions and comments had flown out the window in a matter of seconds. I didn't know where to go next.

"What now?" I stammered, trying to find some starting place.

"We'll divorce I suppose," she said, still not looking me in the eye.

"That goes without saying. What about the children. I will fight for custody, Andrea. Did you know they knew about your affair?"

Her head snapped up with a look of shock.

"Oh, God. I didn't want that to happen. There isn't going to be a fight over them, Norman. I'll grant you full custody. Kurt doesn't want the responsibility of older children. If we were younger he would have wanted his own, but that's not possible now. I hope you will allow me to see them regularly."

I nodded. "Yes, of course." I was still in a state of confusion. This conversation had not gone anything like I had expected. My relief at her decision about the children had almost driven all thoughts out of my head. I didn't know where to go from here.

"You know that the divorce can be decided by a collaborative process, don't you?"

"Yes. I'm fine with that. I'll be more than fair. I don't want to make you hate me any more than you probably already do."

"I don't hate you, Andrea. I'm hurt ... hurt badly. How did I fail you?"

"You didn't, Norm. Not really. It was me. Some people change and I guess I'm one of them. As the kids grew up, I realized I wanted more out of life than just being a housewife and mother. I'm selfish, I know. Kurt's a decent man and together we can find a life that suits us."

"I know about Barry."

"Yes, that was a mistake. A big mistake. He and I didn't belong together, but I fell into his trap as easily as a moth to the flame. In his case, it was the excitement of cheating - the fear of getting caught. It was almost like an adventure. The trouble was, he was a lousy lover. I thought I was selfish ... but he took that to a new level. I don't know why it lasted as long as it did, but I was glad when he ended it. I feel sorry for Janice, though. She didn't deserve a husband like him."

"She doesn't know about you."

"How did you find out?"

"The look on your face when I mentioned I had met up with her a few months ago. That's what started this whole thing."

"I think Brandon must have known something when he caught me talking on the phone one day. He didn't say anything, but I think he was suspicious. I was afraid he would say something to you."

"Your daughter heard your cell phone go off in your purse. That was another giveaway."

She was shaking her head. "I'm not very good at this, am I?"

"Good enough to fool me for over two years."

"What do we do now?" she asked.

"I have a lawyer, Margaret Shadbolt. You should get one too ... to protect your interests. Once you've done that, we'll set up an appointment with someone to get things underway."

"Okay. I'm glad this is over with, Norman. I hate what I did to you and the children, but we have to move on. I don't want to pretend and sneak around any more. I'll make arrangements with my sister to move there when I see her this afternoon."

"Are you sure you want to move out?"

"Yes. I can't look you or the children in the eye each day and then sneak off to Kurt. It's better that I'm not here. You'll need to get a housekeeper though."

"I guess. I'm not much of a cook and we can't eat pizza and Chinese takeout every day." It was a feeble attempt at humor.

I had a sudden feeling of relief pass over me. My worries, my uncertainty, my lack of direction ... they had all passed. It wasn't going to be easy and there was much to be decided yet but at least now the children and I knew something about our future.

"I'll talk to the children later today," Andrea said quietly. "I want them to hear it from me. I hope they won't be too upset. I know they would want to live with you. I've known that for some time now."

And so signaled the beginning of the end of our marriage. Nineteen years and two offspring, a house and a business. Had I failed? Andrea said no, but I couldn't help but feel that somewhere, somehow, I had. The next page in our story would be tomorrow. I had no idea what it would bring.

To Be Continued