Page 88 of The Cabin

“Oh, just water. Thank you.” I normally would never ask for anything. Another post-waitressing thing I do. But my mouth is so dry and I am supposed to be faking having my life together. If I can do it at work, I can do it here. For Grayson.

The door opens again and I turn to say, “Thank y–” but I stop abruptly. It’s not the nice lady coming back with my water. It’s Natalie. Fuck.

Her face turns deathly sour, nose turned up like I reek and am burning her nose hairs off.

She click-clacks over to the other side of the table with her lawyer, staring me down like she’s ready to pounce. To rip my throat out with her teeth.

I didnotknow this meeting was with more than Grayson and his lawyer, but what a fun surprise! I love when life is lively, unexpected. I am thrilled by the unknown and spontaneity. Never a dull moment, just how I like it.

Fuck.

“Hi, Natalie.” She just stares. Yeah, okay. If I was across from Brian’s secretary? Would I answer her? Actually…probably because I can’t help but be nice in social situations like that. Because before a month ago, I was a huge pushover and did whatever the hell everyone else wanted.

Okay, I’m still doing that, but you get the picture.

I let out a huge breath I didn’t realize I was holding when the blonde woman walks in with my water at the same time as Grayson and Mr. Beekahkian. I need to stop thinking his name. It’s too much. I’m going to do something horrifying like cackle.

My body relaxes when Grayson takes a seat next to me. We share a look. I hear every single word. Neither of our faces give anything away, but I catch everything. Equal parts so grateful he could burst and equal parts so mortified and disgusted with himself that he doesn’t know what to do. I hope my smile says, ‘I’m here for you.’

“Good afternoon. Thank you for agreeing to meet on such short notice.” Mr. B Kahk acknowledges everyone in the room. No. B Kahk is so much worse. I have to stifle a giggle in my hand, feigning a cough.

Somehow, this pisses Natalie off even more.

“We’re looking to wrap things up as quickly as possible. Mrs. Stoker has a very busy schedule and we are sure that Mr. Stoker and…” Natalie’s lawyer pauses, waving his hand in my direction.

“Vatner. Ms. Vatner,” Grayson answers for me. I am trying very hard not to let my cheeks heat. To stare this man down and let him know he can’t intimidate me. He totally can. But I’m going to pretend he can’t. I have zero business being here. But only I get to say that. Not Mr. Stuffy Gross Mustache Guy.

“Right. I’m sure Mr. Stoker and Ms. Vatner have other engagements as well.” Oof. The use of the term engagement here puts such an awkward tension in the air.

“Indeed. The new paperwork we wrote up gives Mrs. Stoker fifty percent of the funds in Mr. Stoker’s personal bank account. This is in addition to the previous terms that awarded Mrs. Stoker all of the marital assets, barring a cabin gifted to Mr. and Mrs. Stoker for their wedding in Pennsylvania. We just need your client’s signature and we can put this matter to rest.”

Are you kidding me? Even I got fifty percent in my divorce. Grayson is getting nothing! What the hell is he thinking?

“The cabin has been in my family for generations. He is not getting it.” God, her voice makes me want to punch a wall.

“Equitable division of marital assets is a law-based practice. What we’re offering is already more than a court would award you.” Mr. B’s face never changes. He is hard and closed off. It seems as though that’s his only setting.

“My client has suffered extreme emotional distress. The sanctity of marriage is a pillar in her life, it is what drives her career. We are prepared to sue if necessary.”

My blood is boiling. Where is the justice in our justice system?

Grayson sighs and rolls his shoulders a few times. “Just give her–”

“Sorry, so what? He’s supposed to be homeless and poor after this?”

Natalie and Grayson respond simultaneously. Natalie spits, “Shut your whore mouth,” and Grayson murmurs, “It’s okay, Sol. I’m okay.” His fingers brush my knee under the table. They immediately tense as soon as he registers what Natalie said. I watch him gear up to explode.

I interrupt before he can do any damage. “It’s literally the law that things need to be split fairly.”

“Fair doesn’t mean equal.” Natalie’s lawyer gives me a patronizing glare.

I hold up my hand in his direction. “Yeah, I’m aware, guy. I’ve been through a divorce. He’s entitled to what’s fair.”

“He cheated on me withyouand illegally gave my prescriptions to a person they weren’t prescribed to, consequently forfeiting any bargaining power.” She is so smug. Where the hell does she get off? Is this what all rich people are like?

My eyes narrow. “And you beat the shit out of him, so…what does that do to your bargaining power, exactly?”

The room goes very still. Stagnant. It’s like the air has been sucked out.

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