A Lasting Marriage
“Today’s the day. Do you have a pen to sign it?”
Mary Sullivan sat with her attorney, John Bachmann, in a small meeting room, while husband, Paul, was alone in another room. She stared at the papers that waited for her signature.
“We never imagined this could happen. Next year will be our thirtieth wedding anniversary, John. We won’t see that; there’ll be no more anniversaries for us.”
“Everybody finds this difficult. Do you have any more questions, Mary?”
She stared at John, then looked down at the papers.
“The day we married was a fantastic summer day. Over 100 guests were at our reception, and it was a hell of a party. All our good friends came and relatives, of course. Paul’s brother was his best man, and they were both very handsome. Everybody ended up on the hotel lawn, and the wait staff kept the drinks flowing out there.”
“Sounds like fun. Wish I’d been there. It’s taken us a long time to get this deal ready to sign.”
“It was fun, John. I was only twenty-three and Paul was twenty-five. Friends thought we were inseparable, and so did I. They talked about our reception party for years. Another party like that is something I hoped we’d do again…sometime.”
“Must have been a real bash. Can I get you a coffee after you sign?”
“The first days of school for our children are still fresh in my mind. David was two years older than Jen. On his first day I took him to the bus stop and waited with the other mothers. The bus driver assured us our children would return safe and sound. David survived his first day.”
“First days of school are always special, Mary. Here’s a pen to sign with.”
“You know Paul was away for David’s first day at school and was very upset about that. He was committed to be there for Jen on her first day, which he was, and took lots of pictures. Paul and Jen are very close, you know. Fathers and daughters always have a special bond.”
“I’m sure they’re close, Mary. The last page is where you need to sign. There are two copies; you need to sign both.”
“Paul was a sales rep for an industrial supplies company. The pay was good, but he travelled a lot and usually made it home for the children’s special events. I worked in the school system and was always home when the kids got off the school bus. Having the same holiday breaks and summer vacation schedule as the kids kept us close. Does your wife work, John?”
“My wife is also an attorney, and we own the practice. Family is important, Mary. Sure you don’t have any questions?”
Tears rose in Mary’s eyes then trickled down her cheeks.
“Paul always remembered our anniversary and all the birthdays. He is very thoughtful that way, and I love him for that. I’m sure he loves me too, and we never doubted our marriage would last.” Her tears continued.
“Things change, Mary. It’s unfortunate, but they do. This change is a big one, I know. Here’s a tissue.”
She took the tissue and dabbed the tears. After pulling a compact from her purse, she looked in the mirror to see her eyeshadow had run, then went to work fixing it. The compact was soon put away, the tears had stopped, then Mary raised her voice.
“Why? Why me? Why us? That son of a….. This shouldn’t happen to us! I never saw it coming, and it never entered my mind. The only good news is that David and Jen are old enough; they won’t get any emotional scars. Thank heaven we have no grandchildren who would get hurt.”
“Mary, we do need to get this done today…..now. I’ll go get us coffee, but please have the papers signed when I get back.”
John Bachmann left the room leaving Mary alone with her thoughts. Ten minutes later, Bachmann returned.
“I see you’ve not signed the papers. Is there a problem? Talk to me; tell me what’s on your mind.”
Mary smiled,
“We really enjoyed watching our kids grow up. Paul and I went to every school play, show, sports event, and ceremony that came along. Jen’s senior prom was special. Her date for the night was a young man named Daniel, and we liked him. When he arrived, Jen came down the stairs looking stunning, and Daniel gasped when he saw her. Paul took lots of pictures before the couple went off to the gala.”
“Jen and David will be here soon, Mary. It’ll be better for all if the papers are signed before they come.”
“I recall high school graduations of the children. Paul was so happy to see his son and daughter grow up. Graduation meant the kids would soon ‘leave the nest’. After they did move out, Paul and I became closer. Travel became a priority, and we visited top spots in Europe. A tennis club membership got us playing together and enjoying the social events of the club. Life after children was fulfilling for us.”
Both Mary and John heard the knock on the meeting room door. It slowly opened, then her son David entered.
“How are you, Mom?”
“How the hell do you think I am? Not my best day!”
“You’re doing the right thing. You and Dad have tried everything for the last two years, but things are worse.”
“You know you were a driven student. Some of your teachers told us you might be too driven. Whatever grades you got were never good enough, it seemed.”
“That’s right, I suppose, Mom. It wasn’t all bad since I finished high school in the top five percent, got an engineering degree in college, and now have a great job in manufacturing.”
“Your dad wanted to keep a balance in your life. I hope you enjoyed all the boating, hiking, camping, and going to sports events with him.”
“Sure did; they were great times and now, fond memories.”
Mary stared into space and didn’t speak. David put an arm around her shoulder.
“Can I do anything for you, Mom?”
“Where is Jennifer?”
“She’s with Dad now but will be here soon.”
“Dad loves you of course, but a father has a special relationship with a daughter. You will when you have a daughter.”
“Jen’s a creative free spirit, which Dad likes. He spoiled her buying art supplies and taking her to museums. When she dropped out of college, you were upset, but Dad wasn’t. Going to art school was a good move for her.”
The meeting room door opened again, then Jennifer entered.
“Dad wants it done. To quote him; ‘Sign the damn papers!’”
“Your father is a ‘results-driven’ guy, always was.”
“Is this the only option?”
“Jen, we’ve been over and over this, and I remind you that your father wants this most of all!”
John Bachmann tried again: “Mary, you’re doing what you have to do. It counts for little, but you won’t have any financial worries.”
At age fifty-two, Mary was a fine figure of a woman, only five pounds heavier than the day she got married. Auburn coloured hair and hazel eyes were perfect complements to slightly olive-toned skin.
“Mom, as hard as this is, life can go on for you, Jen, and me.”
Mary grabbed a pen, turned to the signature pages, then signed both copies.
“There it’s done! I signed the goddamn papers! Paul’s getting what he wants. Are we all happy?”
John Bachmann nodded, acknowledging the signing.
“I’ll file it with the courts today.”
There was nothing more anybody could say.
The next morning, Mary, David, and Jennifer were with Paul. The doctor produced a hypodermic then injected it into Paul’s IV feed. Paul was asleep and would never reawaken.
The once robust two-hundred-pound man lay in bed in a body riddled with cancer. Chemotherapy for the last two years had only shrivelled his body to a near unrecognizable state. The love of his family kept him hopeful, but that power wasn’t strong enough to beat the beast. He chose the only option available to escape its evil grip.
A lasting marriage; was now for all eternity.
