Return to Virgin River (Virgin River #19)(41)

“And did you also borrow money from her?”

“No, I wouldn’t do that. No, I never asked her for money.”

“I suppose that’s a demanding and uncertain lifestyle, acting.”

“I thought she’d be a star. I thought she was good. When I was over being insulted that she’d choose a career over a marriage, I tried to be supportive.”

Brie folded her hands on top of her desk. “Will she be expecting to receive divorce documents?”

“When we last talked about it she said that I should go ahead and do whatever I felt I should do. I don’t think she’ll be surprised. If she is, it’s only because I’ve done nothing for so long.”

“Okay. Maybe it will go smoothly. I can write it up for you. One piece of advice—even couples on the best of terms can get a little weird or strange when the divorce becomes a reality.”

“Even couples who have been separated for ten years?”

“Completely separated?” she asked.

“She has only visited a few times in the past ten years. She left some things behind when she first left but over the course of a year they slowly found their way to LA, her home since then.”

“So, she also wants the divorce?”

“Well...” He paused. “Actually, on her recent visit she asked if I’d be willing to try again. She says she’s frustrated with acting and it’s not going as she hoped. I told her it was just too late for that. She was a little disappointed, but she said it was up to me.”

Brie just stared him down for a moment. “I’ll need some information—birth dates, Social Security numbers, ID, addresses, date of the marriage. I’ll have the initial documents ready by the end of the week. But Landry, I suggest you call her, tell her of the progress you’ve made.”

“Probably a good idea,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to upset her, though she should be aware this is coming. I told her I would get it going.”

“The reality is this is a no-fault, community property state. If you two don’t agree on the terms of the divorce and decide to each get a lawyer, it can become a very expensive and protracted case. If you can avoid that it will be quick and easy. But don’t be too surprised if you run into a little resistance.”

“In eleven years we’ve hardly had a fight. There were a few tense conversations, but no real fighting.”

“I hope that record holds,” she said. “Now, let’s get that information. If there’s anything you don’t know, you can get it from her and email it to me.”





* * *



That night Landry called Laura. He had to leave a message, which was often the case. Within the hour she called him back.

“Are you in that play you auditioned for?”

“I did get the part. It’s not a big part, but since they’re paying for my hotel I decided I might as well take it. San Francisco is a lot closer than LA.”

Closer to what? he wondered. “Well, I wanted to tell you that I saw a lawyer today and she’s starting the paperwork for a divorce. She’ll write everything up and if we don’t each have a lawyer, it will be cheap and easy, and since I’m the one who wants to do this, I’ll pay for it. I’ll have the preliminary documents by the end of the week. Give me your current address and I’ll send them to you.”

There was no response for a moment. “I see,” she said at long last. “I had really hoped you’d think things over and give us another chance.”

“I’m sorry, Laura, but I’m afraid I’m past all that. Time to move on.”

“Fine. If that’s what you’re going to do. I’ll text you my address.”

She disconnected without saying goodbye.





8



OCTOBER 20 WAS an unforgettable day for Kaylee. It had been a life-changing day. She tried ignoring the significance of the date, but it snuck up on her and left her feeling melancholy and fatigued. She didn’t go for her morning walk, nor did she check on Lady and the puppies. Instead she got out the special suitcase she had brought along with her from Newport Beach. This was only the second time she had opened it since she’d been in Virgin River.

This was her treasure chest. Her secret garden. Inside were artifacts of her mother. Nothing valuable by monetary standards but priceless to her. Inside were sentimental things that helped with the remembering.

Folded neatly on top was her mother’s favorite wrap. It was pale blue, knit with fine, thin yarn, and she’d loved to put it around her shoulders first thing in the morning and sometimes late at night. It was perfect for keeping her from getting a chill. Meredith’s sister, Beth, had made it for her. And with it, the scarf that she loved, Armani, that she had tied around her bald head.

There was a framed picture of Kaylee and Meredith, cheek to cheek, smiling and holding on to each other, their hair blowing in the wind. She loved that picture. She had other favorites, she had filled a small plastic bag with them—in the swimming pool, her first dance recital, snowboarding in the mountains, on the beach, Disneyland and later more recent pictures—out to dinner, a trip to Turks and Caicos, a trip to London, San Francisco and many from Las Patios, which was their joke name for evenings on the patio of Meredith’s house.