Free The Wedding Party by Robyn Carr Page A

didn’t know that,” she said.
    â€œShe told me she’d never been happier, more in tune with a person…and she didn’t want to screw it up by changing everything so soon after we’d fallen into such a lovely little routine.”
    Routine, Gwen thought. Yes, that would describe it.
    â€œThe day I met Charlene was one of the best days of my life. The past five years have been some of my most contented.”
    Gwen couldn’t bear the flat expression on his face, the murky look in his eyes. Sarah’s death had been a painful loss for Gwen, too, and for everyone even remotely related to them. They had been a beautiful, joyful young couple, without so much as an argument between them, and were now scarred by the utter tragedy of a life cut short. And almost overnight Dennisbecame a young widower locked in a powerful grief that lasted years. It was almost too much to bear remembering. She was afraid she might cry just thinking about it.
    Now he was getting married…. and he sounded perfectly miserable.
    In utter frustration she tore open the box of cookies and stuffed one into her mouth. She went for a second, then a third, chewing slowly and with much difficulty. Her cheeks puffed out and her teeth were smeared with chocolate. It took a long time to make room for two more, which she had to break into chunks to push into her mouth. Dennis watched this display in frowning confusion, but she didn’t see him. She had closed her eyes as she struggled with the clump of chocolate. When she was finally done, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, looked at her brother and said, “Just don’t bubble over with happiness, okay?”
    â€œThat was disgusting,” he observed.
    â€œThank you.”
    Â 
    When Charlene arrived at the law offices of Bradley & Howe, Sherry Omagi was waiting in the foyer, looking as nervous as a cat. Charlene pasted that smile of confidence on her face. She hadn’t spent as much time as she should have preparing for tonight, for she’d had only one meeting with Sherry, but it should be cutand-dried. Sherry was willing to discuss visitation, as long as she maintained custody, and would not ask for support payments. She was a self-supporting accountant who worked mostly at home and the child wasyoung, circumstances that all heavily favored the mother.
    â€œHe’s already here,” Sherry said, wringing her hands. “I saw him go in.”
    â€œSherry, I want you to calm down and let me do the talking.”
    â€œI’m so afraid,” she said. “Frankie means everything to me.”
    Charlene pulled her client along with her to the elevators. She pushed the button for the third floor. “Now, we’ve talked about this, Sherry. Your ex-husband is entitled to some quality time with Frankie, and the same is good for Frankie, but that’s no reason you can’t retain primary custodial care. You should rethink the issue of compensatory support as well.”
    â€œI don’t need support,” she said. “Kim isn’t as attached to Frankie as I am. He only wants him because I want him. He’s even said that having him is stupid. ”
    â€œPeople say things in the heat of the moment.”
    â€œHe said he’s sick of Frankie shitting all over the place. Really, Charlene, I worry about Frankie in Kim’s care. I don’t know that he’d be…safe.”
    â€œWell, there are definite messes involved when you have little ones running around. This is the first time you’ve indicated Kim could be abusive. Are you serious about this?”
    â€œI just don’t know. I suppose that’s just my temper talking, but still. Charlene, I just want custody. That’s all.”
    â€œCompromise will get you a lot further, Sherry. Especially since it’s the best thing for the entire family.”
    â€œBut it hardly costs anything to keep Frankie. Really.”
    â€œBut it