Free Seasons of Sorrow by C. C. Wood

and nothing more.

Chapter Nine

    April, Present Day
    C harlotte had been in her new job for just a little over a month. After a couple of weeks, she found that she liked it. While she didn’t have as much time to go to Adam’s grave as she used to, Charlotte found that keeping busy kept her from sliding back into the pit of despair. She still thought of her little boy every day, missed him every day, but she found that the numbness was beginning to fade slightly. As a result, she felt fragile. The memories gained an edge, a sharpness that cut each time she thought about Adam. Her grief was no longer providing a cushion of apathy. Instead, she was more sensitive and easier to anger. She found herself having to stop and take a deep breath in situations in which she normally would have more patience.
    Her grief counselor told her at each session that every person grieved in their own way. That their pain was their own and their healing happened at their own pace. Charlotte reminded herself of that every day. She also made an effort to reach out to Greg and Brandy from time to time. Of course, they didn’t let her withdraw too much. If she didn’t call one of them at least every other day, they would descend upon her house like a pair of mismatched old maids, fussing and carrying on about how she needed to take care of herself.
    Today, however, was going to be a difficult day. Derek called her two weeks before and said he arranged for them to meet to start the division of assets. Charlotte had agreed. Her lawyer was meeting her there.
    Nora Langdon was known as a shark in the Dallas area. She was also known to be a women’s advocate, helping out women who were screwed over by men they had been married to for most of their life. Since she actually knew Derek personally, Charlotte’s situation was right up her alley. She was meeting with her, Derek, and his lawyer that afternoon.
    Brandon knew she would have to leave early and wished her luck when he saw her lock up her office to head out. She merely gave him a weak smile. Her palms were sweating as she headed out to her car and drove the short distance to the law offices where Derek’s attorney was a partner.
    The only thing she truly cared about was the house. She had to keep it. Adam’s room was there, her memories of her short time with him centered around her home. She hadn’t been bluffing when she told Derek that she would fight him tooth and nail for that house. Charlotte tried to concentrate on the road as she drove, but it was difficult to keep her anxiety at bay.
    She turned into the parking garage under the high rise where the law offices were located and managed to find a decent parking spot near the elevator. The ride to the twenty-fifth floor seemed to last an eternity. When she stepped off the elevator, she followed the signs leading her to Heron, Walker, and Holt.
    Nora was waiting for her in the lobby, looking sharp and chic in a crisp navy suit.
    “Right on time,” Nora said.
    Charlotte nodded.
    Nora put a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?” she asked.
    Charlotte let out a shaky breath. “Yes. I’ll be all right. I’m just nervous. The last few times I’ve spoken with my husband, things have not gone well.”
    “They’ll go well today,” her attorney promised, a stony expression on her face.
    They sat in two comfortable arm chairs to wait for Derek and his attorney. They waited. And waited. Finally, Nora stood and went to the reception desk. She spoke with the receptionist for a few moments. Apparently she didn’t like what she was hearing because her face tightened and appeared angry. Nora said something more to the woman at the desk that had her picking up her phone quickly.
    Nora came back over to Charlotte. “We will be seeing Mr. Holt immediately.”
    “What’s wrong?” Charlotte asked.
    “I’m not sure, but I do not like the run-around I’m getting from Miss Priss at the reception desk. My educated guess: Derek isn’t here