Episode 44
Reinventing Maxine
Episode 44
Maxine
I sat in my car, dreading the thought of going inside my house where my estranged husband now resided. It had been a few weeks since he returned home and the only thing that kept me sane when at home were my children and thinking of Eli and our nightly conversations when I am not with him.
As each day passed, my love for Eli grew stronger and more intense. He was everything that Matt wasn’t, and it was now clear to me how blind I had been with Matt. I ignored all the warning signs because I was lonely and vulnerable after losing my parents. But Eli showed me true kindness and opened my eyes to what real love is supposed to feel like. Even though I was still a bit scared, Eli consistently showed me his love and commitment, giving me reassurance and security. He never wavered, even when his ex tried to plant doubts in my mind about him only wanting me for superficial reasons.
I went to a therapy session with Matt and the children, but it took all my willpower not to leave. Matt actually believed I would believe his lies about leaving his mistress. I couldn’t help rolling my eyes throughout the session.
“You seem like you don’t want to be here,” Dr. Boxton observed.
“Because I don’t, doctor,” I replied honestly.
“How can you say that, Mom?” Meri exclaimed.
“Dad is trying, can’t you see that?” She buried her face in her father’s chest, and it angered me to see Matt taking pleasure in his victory over Meri being on his side and pushing his agenda.
“No one wants to be here,” MJ chimed in.
“Couldn’t agree more,” Spencer added.
“You see, Doctor? She has turned my children against me,” Matt accused.
“As if your affair had nothing to do with it?” MJ shot back at him.
********************
The aroma of a delicious meal wafted through the air, leading me into the kitchen. At first, I assumed one of the boys or Meri was cooking dinner, but when I entered the room, I saw Matt standing at the stove.
I asked him with annoyance,
“What are you doing?”
He responded confidently,
“Cooking for my family.” He turned to face me.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
“You never cooked for us when we were married.” I reminded him.
He shrugged nonchalantly.
“Well, technically, we’re still married,” he stated as he turned back to the stove and continued stirring the pot of sauce.
“Let’s be honest, Matt. We both know this marriage is not what either of us wants. Why pretend and force ourselves to go to therapy?” I said, placing my purse on the kitchen island.
“I made a mistake, Maxine. I’m trying to fix it,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Bullshit,” I replied.
“What?” He asked, narrowing his eyes.
“I call bullshit,” I repeated, with more force this time.
“Wow, ever since you started fucking Eli Hendrix, you’ve grown some balls,” he sneered, stepping closer to me.
“Yes, Eli has given me something you never could,” I said, defiantly.
“Oh, and what’s that? An endless supply of money?” He scoffed.
“No, an orgasm. And lots of them too,” I watched as the smirk fell from his face. It was satisfying to know that I had bruised his ego. I could see the tension in his jaw and the flicker of emotion in his eyes, showing that my words had caused a reaction.
“You should go back to your mistress and leave my home,” I told him.
“This is also my home, Maxine!” He shouted back at me.
“No, it’s not, you motherfucker! I paid the down payment for this house. I used all my money to put you through medical school, and now you’re saying YOUR money is YOUR money but MY money was OUR money?,” I yelled back at him.
“You’re pathetic, Maxine. Always have been and always will be,” he said in a lowered voice. I clenched my fist, fighting the urge to hit him, knowing that was exactly what he wanted - for me to lose control.
“You’re the pathetic one here, Matt. You’re using your daughter as a pawn to manipulate your way back into a marriage that you clearly have no interest in, all just to swindle your family out of their home.”
His nostrils flared in anger.
“I hit the nail on the head, didn’t I? Well, you’ll never get this house,” I told him, triumphantly.
“You won’t see a single cent of my money, Maxine,” he spat.
“I don’t want your money, you idiot! I just want what is rightfully mine,” I responded firmly.
“You don’t deserve anything. I’ll leave you with nothing. I already have Meri’s loyalty, and soon I’ll have Matt and Spencer on my side, too. I will take everything from you. And when that billionaire gets tired of you being his plaything, he’ll leave, too and you’ll be left with nothing.”
“Go fuck yourself, Matt!” I spat back before walking away.
“I’ll get everything, Maxine. Don’t forget that!” He called out after me.
