Max was not happy about the idea of his wife working, so I put my wants on hold to please him and keep our family, which I felt slowly slipping apart, together, and it eventually caused a larger rift to grow between us. It wasn’t until the last year of our marriage that I decided to go back to work, regardless of how Max felt. I knew I could work at a bank and still be home for Hunter before he went to school in the mornings, and then be back at night in time for dinner.
It felt empowering to do what I wanted, to make my own money, but I know that was the straw that broke the camel’s back, so to speak. All of Max’s friends had wives who did nothing but spend their days getting pedicures while gossiping about who was cheating on whom, who had more money, and who was going bankrupt. I didn’t want that for myself I hated the cliché life I was living. It was making me sick, actually sick. I started to lose weight and my hair was falling out. I dreaded spending time with those women. I hated living a lie, and eventually, I started hating Max for forcing that life on me, for not seeing I was miserable. I wanted him to want me to be happy, but my feelings never really mattered to him.
“Shelby, you have a call on line three,” Misty says, pulling me from my thoughts, poking her head into my office.
; I blink at her, then ask, “Did you already go to lunch?”
“Yeah.” She laughs. “You must have gotten carried away with work.”
“I must have,” I mumble, hearing her laugh again before disappearing once more. Glancing at the clock, I find it’s already 12:30. Picking up the phone I press it to my ear before clicking on the line to connect the call. “Shelby Calder speaking.”
“Miss Calder, my name is Annie Patterson. I’m your ex-husband’s attorney. Do you have a minute to speak?” My stomach fills with dread and my hands instantly become clammy. It’s been a week since my phone call with Max, one week of dreadful silence from him. When I’ve tried to call and talk to him, he hasn’t picked up, and when Hunter has been on the phone with him, he hangs up before I even have a chance to ask for the phone, leaving me completely helpless.
“Miss Calder, are you there?”
“Yes, sorry. I’m at work, Mrs. Patterson, and have a client coming in soon. Can I call you back in about an hour?”
“Sorry, yes, of course you can, but really this conversation will only take a moment of your time. I’ve tried to reach you on your house phone on numerous occasions, but you’ve been unavailable and haven’t returned any of my calls.”
“I’m sorry, you must have the wrong number. I haven’t received any messages,” I say, taking deep breaths trying to get my heart under control, as it pounds so hard that I feel it in my stomach.
“I’ve left multiple messages with your son, Hunter.” Dropping my head, I squeeze my eyes closed. Hunter. I knew something was going on with him. He seemed jumpy every time the phone rang, and when he talks to his dad, he seemed on edge… so on edge that it takes an hour, if not more, for him to unwind after their calls.
“How can I help you?” I give in, knowing there is nothing I can do about that now.
“I just need to confirm some information and find out from you the name and phone number of your attorney. Your ex-husband and I agree that it would be best if I work through them from here on out.”
“I don’t have an attorney at this time.”
“Hmm,” she hums, and my fists clench. “I’m working for your husband, so I really shouldn’t tell you what I’m going to tell you, Miss Calder, but I suggest you get an attorney as soon as possible.” I don’t know what Max had planned, but I know he hasn’t given up the idea of getting custody of Hunter, and this call proves just that.
“I’ll work on finding someone to represent me,” I tell her softly.
“That would be good.” Her reply is just as soft, and if I didn’t know any better, I would swear she felt sorry for me.
“Can I ask what kind of custody arrangement Max is seeking?”
“He’s asking for full custody at this time.”
Pulling in a deep breath, I let it out slowly, whispering, “Of course he is.” I close my eyes, wondering how much a good attorney costs. I have some money saved, but not a lot, since I spent most of my savings on my divorce then a huge chunk moving us to Alaska. “What other information do you need?” I question, wanting this call done.
“I need to verify your physical address, along with the name, address, and phone number of the person who is in charge of taking care of Hunter while you’re at work.”
“There is no one taking care of him at this time. He’s at swim or fishing camp during the day until four, and then he goes home and waits for me to get off at five.”
“Hmm,” she hums again, and the sound causes my teeth to clench, because it sounds disapproving.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Patterson, but my client just walked in. Do you have an e-mail address where I can have my attorney contact you once I get one?”
“Of course.” She reads off her e-mail address, which I jot down quickly before saying good buy and hanging up with her. The urge to go get Hunter and run away is almost overwhelming as I sit back in my chair and stare blankly at the wall in front of me. I’ll fight with everything I have to keep my son, but I also know that Max will make sure he gets to watch as I take my last breath while taking Hunter away from me.
Not even bothering with getting myself a glass, I take my opened bottle of white wine with me to my room, head right outside to the patio, and sit in one of the chairs, resting my feet still incased in high heels up on the rail. Putting the bottle to my lips I tip it back. Normally, I wouldn’t drink—or rather, I wouldn’t drink with the idea of getting drunk—but since Hunter is spending the night with a friend from camp, I’m free to drink my cares and worries away without feeling like a horrible mom.