Post by CarpentersFan2003 on Jan 14, 2004 19:58:58 GMT -5
Chapter Eight
One week later
Karen along with Nathan stood in the hallway of the Downey Family and Civil Court.
“ Karen calm down. You’re shaking like a leaf. It will all be over in an hour. Remember you wanted this.” Nathan put his arm around her shoulders.
Karen gratefully leaned into Nathan’s protective embrace. She was indeed terrified. She hated courthouses almost as much as hospitals. She just wanted this to be over.
Both Karen and Nathan looked up as her lawyer emerged from the courtroom. Warner McBride looked at Karen and then to the man she was with. He smiled with confidence at his client.
“ Karen, the judge is about to come in from her private chambers. Tom and his attorney Barbara Kindle are already inside.”
“ Thank you, Warner,” Karen spoke in a barely audible whisper. “ This is my friend Dr. Nathan Yates. He’s here for moral support. My parents and Richard are unable to attend.” Karen fibbed. Truth be told she didn’t want to have to deal with her mother’s over-protectiveness, nor Richard’s hatred of Tom.
Nathan and Warner shook hands and said hello to one another. Nathan then returned his arm to Karen’s waist.
“ Alright, we are ready.” Warner opened the door for his client.
Karen took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders and forced herself to keep her head held high. She walked down the rows of spectator seats and up to the inner gate. Warner opened it for her and she stepped inside. On her right was a table where Tom and his lawyer were seated. Karen couldn’t bring herself face them. She turned and sat in one of the chairs at the table that Warner pointed to.
“ Dr. Yates. You can’t come any further. Please have a seat in one of these chairs.” Warner said.
“ Thank you.” Nathan sat in a seat that was directly behind Karen. He leaned forward and whispered. “ Good luck.”
Karen heard Nathan’s words of encouragement and nodded.
“ All rise for the Honorable Judge Julia Swanson.” A bailiff called out.
When her Honor was seated behind the bench she motioned for those in front of her to be seated.
“ This is the case of Carpenter vs. Burris. Ms. Karen A. Carpenter is the petitioner for these divorce proceedings, and Mr. Tomas E. Burris is the respondent. I will hear motions from both attorneys, starting with counsel for the petitioner.”
“ Thank you, Your Honor.” Warner said as he stood up. “ Ma’am my client is filing for divorce on the grounds of unreconcilable differences. Ms. Carpenter and her husband have not co-habituated in the martial home since November of 1982. My client believes that there is no reasonable chance for reconciliation and feels that it would cause her too much pain and anguish to try and make this marriage work.” Warner sat down.
“ Motion for the respondent.” The judge raised her eyebrows at Tom’s counsel.
“ Your Honor if it will please the court. We have three major complaints that my client would like to enter into evidence. First, my client was and still is in love with his wife. He feels that given time, both can come to an agreement and that co-habituation can resume. Secondly, my client believes that the petitioner is suffering from the illness anorexia nervosa and it may in fact be hindering her mental health. We motion for this proceeding to be halted until such time that the court can deem Ms. Carpenter to be able to undergo the strains of this endeavor…” Barbara was cut off mid-sentence.
“ Objection.” Warner stood up. “ Your Honor, my client has undergone treatment for her illness. I have a signed affidavit from her psychologist in New York City attesting the fact that Ms. Carpenter is indeed mentally able to understand the gravity of her desire to end her marriage. Both my client and I take offence to this out right attempt at making Ms. Carpenter look incompetent.”
“ Sustained. The affidavit will be admitted into evidence.” Swanson motioned for the bailiff to bring her the letter. She read it. “ Have you seen this document?” looking to Tom’s lawyer, her eyebrow arched.
“ Yes Ma’am, we have, however my client and I would ask that you assign a court appointed psychotherapist to examine Ms. Carpenter, and postpone any further action in this case.” Kindle tried to stall.
“ This letter is very thorough in its explanation of Ms. Carpenter’s ongoing attempt to gain control of her illness. I see no reason to waste the courts time with unnecessary and lengthy examinations.”
Warner sat down and leaned to Karen and in a hushed tone said.
“ It all going as I believed it would. They are scrambling. It will not be long now.”
Karen nodded.
“ Finally Your Honor, my client has become accustomed to his heightened lifestyle during his marriage to Ms. Carpenter. We would like to enter in to evidence a copy of the signed pre-nuptial agreement between the petitioner and respondent. In it, it states that each party will take with them what properties, personal belongings and any monitory investments that they held prior to the marriage. However the couple has purchased two homes one in Beverly Hills and the other here in Downey since the marriage and hold property in Mexico. My client is willing to buy out Ms. Carpenter’s half of these properties.”
“ My client accepts.” Warner said with a wave of dismissal. He and Karen had discussed this issue a week earlier and Karen had assured her lawyer she had no interest in any of the properties.
“ There are no further matters.” Barbara said and sat.
Judge Swanson took a few minutes to read over her notes and then spoke.
“ While the end of a marriage is never easy for either party. It is sometimes both needed and warranted. I’m thankful that there are no children involved in this case, as these situations are always the hardest on them. I hope that each of you will find lasting happiness in your lives. I hereby grant the petition for divorce. Mr. Burris you will give Ms. Carpenter a lump sum payment of one-point-six million dollars for the aforementioned properties. There will be a standard 90-day waiting period until the divorce is final. This court is adjourned.”
*** *** ***
Tom was standing outside of the courthouse when Karen appeared on the steps. She was with that man he’d seen earlier and her lawyer. He watched as she first hugged Warner and then turned to kiss the cheek of the other man. Warner said his goodbye and then continued on to the parking lot. Tom took this moment to walk up to Karen.
“ Well, it’s over. Are you happy?” Tom asked bitterly.
“ Tom, I can’t say that I am, but you and I have grown too far apart. There are other women out there for you. We both need to move on. Please don’t say anything hurtful. Let’s try to remain friends.” Karen stepped down to his level on the stairs and lightly hugged her ex-husband. She then turned to Nathan and said.
“ Nathan, this is my ex-husband Tom Burris. Tom this is the doctor that admitted me into the DGH when I suffered my… uh… little accident.” Karen blushed.
Nathan nodded but said nothing. With that little motion Tom realized that he’d been replaced.
“ Well Karen, my final words to you are goodbye forever and I hope you two enjoy your new life together.” Tom said bitterly as he turned on his heel and walked away.
*** *** ***
When Karen and Nathan returned to her condo she was in the mood to celebrate. She went to the bar and made a round of martinis.
“ Have a seat on the sofa Nathan. I’ll only be a minute.”
Nathan sat and watched Karen mixing the drinks. He was not sure what to make of his girlfriend’s switch of emotions. When Karen joined him on the couch, he gladly accepted the drink she held out to him.
“ You seem to be feeling better. Are you alright Karen?” Nathan took a mouthful of his drink. It was possibly the best martini he’d had the pleasure of consuming.
“ Are you asking that as my boyfriend or as my doctor?” Karen sipped at her drink and smiled sweetly, her eyes gleaming playfully.
“ Both. You were so edgy at the courthouse and now you’re relaxed.” Nathan put down his drink. “ Karen talk to me. What is on your mind?”
“ Nathan, I’m fine really. I feel totally free. I will admit that there is a little part of me that is grieving. However, I’m moving on.” Karen said and then kissed him gently on the lips.
Nathan pulled away from Karen unsure of whether he should continue. He knew that Karen was feeling vulnerable and insecure. He didn’t want to take advantage of that.
Karen was surprised when she felt Nathan move away from her. She was not expecting to be rejected and raised her eyebrows in question.
“ What’s the matter Nathan? I can assure you, that you’re not a rebound affair. I want to do this. I need to do it too. Don’t you get it, I’m falling in love with you.” Karen said as she gently stroked his cheek and cupped it in her hand.
Nathan looked into Karen’s eyes looking for something to tell him that she was speaking the truth. All he saw was a woman that he’d come to care a great deal for in the short time that he’d known her, he felt his libido rising. He leaned toward Karen and this time it was he that initiated what turned to an afternoon and evening of passionate lovemaking. The couple only paused for a light dinner consisting of tossed salad and a cheese and cracker plate. It was well after midnight when both fell into Karen’s bed totally exhausted.
One week later
Karen along with Nathan stood in the hallway of the Downey Family and Civil Court.
“ Karen calm down. You’re shaking like a leaf. It will all be over in an hour. Remember you wanted this.” Nathan put his arm around her shoulders.
Karen gratefully leaned into Nathan’s protective embrace. She was indeed terrified. She hated courthouses almost as much as hospitals. She just wanted this to be over.
Both Karen and Nathan looked up as her lawyer emerged from the courtroom. Warner McBride looked at Karen and then to the man she was with. He smiled with confidence at his client.
“ Karen, the judge is about to come in from her private chambers. Tom and his attorney Barbara Kindle are already inside.”
“ Thank you, Warner,” Karen spoke in a barely audible whisper. “ This is my friend Dr. Nathan Yates. He’s here for moral support. My parents and Richard are unable to attend.” Karen fibbed. Truth be told she didn’t want to have to deal with her mother’s over-protectiveness, nor Richard’s hatred of Tom.
Nathan and Warner shook hands and said hello to one another. Nathan then returned his arm to Karen’s waist.
“ Alright, we are ready.” Warner opened the door for his client.
Karen took a deep breath and straightened her shoulders and forced herself to keep her head held high. She walked down the rows of spectator seats and up to the inner gate. Warner opened it for her and she stepped inside. On her right was a table where Tom and his lawyer were seated. Karen couldn’t bring herself face them. She turned and sat in one of the chairs at the table that Warner pointed to.
“ Dr. Yates. You can’t come any further. Please have a seat in one of these chairs.” Warner said.
“ Thank you.” Nathan sat in a seat that was directly behind Karen. He leaned forward and whispered. “ Good luck.”
Karen heard Nathan’s words of encouragement and nodded.
“ All rise for the Honorable Judge Julia Swanson.” A bailiff called out.
When her Honor was seated behind the bench she motioned for those in front of her to be seated.
“ This is the case of Carpenter vs. Burris. Ms. Karen A. Carpenter is the petitioner for these divorce proceedings, and Mr. Tomas E. Burris is the respondent. I will hear motions from both attorneys, starting with counsel for the petitioner.”
“ Thank you, Your Honor.” Warner said as he stood up. “ Ma’am my client is filing for divorce on the grounds of unreconcilable differences. Ms. Carpenter and her husband have not co-habituated in the martial home since November of 1982. My client believes that there is no reasonable chance for reconciliation and feels that it would cause her too much pain and anguish to try and make this marriage work.” Warner sat down.
“ Motion for the respondent.” The judge raised her eyebrows at Tom’s counsel.
“ Your Honor if it will please the court. We have three major complaints that my client would like to enter into evidence. First, my client was and still is in love with his wife. He feels that given time, both can come to an agreement and that co-habituation can resume. Secondly, my client believes that the petitioner is suffering from the illness anorexia nervosa and it may in fact be hindering her mental health. We motion for this proceeding to be halted until such time that the court can deem Ms. Carpenter to be able to undergo the strains of this endeavor…” Barbara was cut off mid-sentence.
“ Objection.” Warner stood up. “ Your Honor, my client has undergone treatment for her illness. I have a signed affidavit from her psychologist in New York City attesting the fact that Ms. Carpenter is indeed mentally able to understand the gravity of her desire to end her marriage. Both my client and I take offence to this out right attempt at making Ms. Carpenter look incompetent.”
“ Sustained. The affidavit will be admitted into evidence.” Swanson motioned for the bailiff to bring her the letter. She read it. “ Have you seen this document?” looking to Tom’s lawyer, her eyebrow arched.
“ Yes Ma’am, we have, however my client and I would ask that you assign a court appointed psychotherapist to examine Ms. Carpenter, and postpone any further action in this case.” Kindle tried to stall.
“ This letter is very thorough in its explanation of Ms. Carpenter’s ongoing attempt to gain control of her illness. I see no reason to waste the courts time with unnecessary and lengthy examinations.”
Warner sat down and leaned to Karen and in a hushed tone said.
“ It all going as I believed it would. They are scrambling. It will not be long now.”
Karen nodded.
“ Finally Your Honor, my client has become accustomed to his heightened lifestyle during his marriage to Ms. Carpenter. We would like to enter in to evidence a copy of the signed pre-nuptial agreement between the petitioner and respondent. In it, it states that each party will take with them what properties, personal belongings and any monitory investments that they held prior to the marriage. However the couple has purchased two homes one in Beverly Hills and the other here in Downey since the marriage and hold property in Mexico. My client is willing to buy out Ms. Carpenter’s half of these properties.”
“ My client accepts.” Warner said with a wave of dismissal. He and Karen had discussed this issue a week earlier and Karen had assured her lawyer she had no interest in any of the properties.
“ There are no further matters.” Barbara said and sat.
Judge Swanson took a few minutes to read over her notes and then spoke.
“ While the end of a marriage is never easy for either party. It is sometimes both needed and warranted. I’m thankful that there are no children involved in this case, as these situations are always the hardest on them. I hope that each of you will find lasting happiness in your lives. I hereby grant the petition for divorce. Mr. Burris you will give Ms. Carpenter a lump sum payment of one-point-six million dollars for the aforementioned properties. There will be a standard 90-day waiting period until the divorce is final. This court is adjourned.”
*** *** ***
Tom was standing outside of the courthouse when Karen appeared on the steps. She was with that man he’d seen earlier and her lawyer. He watched as she first hugged Warner and then turned to kiss the cheek of the other man. Warner said his goodbye and then continued on to the parking lot. Tom took this moment to walk up to Karen.
“ Well, it’s over. Are you happy?” Tom asked bitterly.
“ Tom, I can’t say that I am, but you and I have grown too far apart. There are other women out there for you. We both need to move on. Please don’t say anything hurtful. Let’s try to remain friends.” Karen stepped down to his level on the stairs and lightly hugged her ex-husband. She then turned to Nathan and said.
“ Nathan, this is my ex-husband Tom Burris. Tom this is the doctor that admitted me into the DGH when I suffered my… uh… little accident.” Karen blushed.
Nathan nodded but said nothing. With that little motion Tom realized that he’d been replaced.
“ Well Karen, my final words to you are goodbye forever and I hope you two enjoy your new life together.” Tom said bitterly as he turned on his heel and walked away.
*** *** ***
When Karen and Nathan returned to her condo she was in the mood to celebrate. She went to the bar and made a round of martinis.
“ Have a seat on the sofa Nathan. I’ll only be a minute.”
Nathan sat and watched Karen mixing the drinks. He was not sure what to make of his girlfriend’s switch of emotions. When Karen joined him on the couch, he gladly accepted the drink she held out to him.
“ You seem to be feeling better. Are you alright Karen?” Nathan took a mouthful of his drink. It was possibly the best martini he’d had the pleasure of consuming.
“ Are you asking that as my boyfriend or as my doctor?” Karen sipped at her drink and smiled sweetly, her eyes gleaming playfully.
“ Both. You were so edgy at the courthouse and now you’re relaxed.” Nathan put down his drink. “ Karen talk to me. What is on your mind?”
“ Nathan, I’m fine really. I feel totally free. I will admit that there is a little part of me that is grieving. However, I’m moving on.” Karen said and then kissed him gently on the lips.
Nathan pulled away from Karen unsure of whether he should continue. He knew that Karen was feeling vulnerable and insecure. He didn’t want to take advantage of that.
Karen was surprised when she felt Nathan move away from her. She was not expecting to be rejected and raised her eyebrows in question.
“ What’s the matter Nathan? I can assure you, that you’re not a rebound affair. I want to do this. I need to do it too. Don’t you get it, I’m falling in love with you.” Karen said as she gently stroked his cheek and cupped it in her hand.
Nathan looked into Karen’s eyes looking for something to tell him that she was speaking the truth. All he saw was a woman that he’d come to care a great deal for in the short time that he’d known her, he felt his libido rising. He leaned toward Karen and this time it was he that initiated what turned to an afternoon and evening of passionate lovemaking. The couple only paused for a light dinner consisting of tossed salad and a cheese and cracker plate. It was well after midnight when both fell into Karen’s bed totally exhausted.
