Chapter 3

A few weeks later the divorce was final and now the two were fighting it out in a custody battle for the girls. Lately it had been rather nasty so Melinda decided to treat herself to a nice cup of tea with her best friend Andrea Moreno.

“Here you go sweetie,” Andrea said placing two cups of steaming coffee on the table at Village Java.

“Thanks, it’s good to know I still have my friends.”

“Oh sweetie you’ll always have me now let’s ignore this whole mess for an hour and just talk.” Melinda smiled.

“Sounds good.”

“So how are the girls?”

“Great. Kenzie won her soccer game last night and Maddie has her recital next week along with another court meeting.”

“Hey, remember? We’re putting the mess aside for an hour.” Melinda rolled her eyes.

“I’m sorry it’s just so hard to think that I might lose my girls.”

“Sweetie, you’re not gonna lose them. After everything you’ve done for them? Face it, you have a much better case then Rick will ever have.”

“The girls are going to hate me when this is all over.”

“No they’re not and one day when they’re older, they’ll look back on this and thank you for thinking of their best interests.”

“I know but-”

“No buts Melinda, he’s an alcoholic. That doesn’t look too good in a hearing and that’s definitely not good for Kenzie and Maddie.”

“Yeah I guess you’re right.”

“I ALWAYS am,” Andrea said with a sly smile. Just then a tall very handsome man walked into the coffee shop. Melinda looked around curiously and gasped.

“Oh my gosh! That’s him!” Andrea looked very confused.

“That’s who?”

“That’s the guy I spilled me tea all over!”

“Ohhh that sexy beast,” Andrea said raising her eyebrows as she took a sip of her coffee.

“Andrea!”

“What he’s a hottie let’s not deny it and I think you’re quite the hottie yourself. Look he’s coming over here.”

“Hey,” Jim said warmly.

“Hi I uh...didn’t think I’d see you again.”

“I told you I’d see you around. I mean in a small town like this, it’s impossible not to.” Melinda smiled. She really liked this guy but was it too soon? It had only been a few weeks since the divorce had become final and what about the girls? They’d be devastated to know their mother was dating only weeks after the divorce and what if they didn’t like him? Dating just got 10 times harder, she thought to herself. “Uh Melinda?” asked Jim politely.

“Sorry,” she said,” I was just uh daydreaming.” Jim gave her a funny look.

“Right well listen, my lunch break is over in about two minutes so why don’t we meet up for dinner sometime. I know just the place. I mean suggesting that you’re single of course.” She showed up her naked finger and smiled.

“Not anymore.”

“Okay well how does Friday night sound? I’ll pick you up say around 7?” Melinda nodded.

“That sounds fantastic. Here, I’ll give you my address.”

“Ah, no need. I’m a paramedic, trust me, I’ll find your house besides I’d probably lose the address anyway. I don’t have a very good memory. Well I’ll see you then.”

“Yeah, see you then.” Jim waved then disappeared into the sunlight.

“Well somebody just got themselves a date,” Andrea said smiling.

“I did, didn’t I.”

“Yes and one very hot one I might add.”

“Hmm Mrs. Melinda Clancy, that sounds great doesn’t it?”

“Oh god Melinda, please don’t write Mrs. Melinda Clancy all over your notebooks now. Besides why would you take his name anyway? You didn’t take Rick’s.”

“Well that’s because I didn’t want to be known as Mrs. Payne in the ass unlike Mr. Payne in the ass.” Andrea couldn’t help but smirk. “What? It’s true!”

“Oh it so is honey, that’s why it’s so hilarious!” Melinda smiled. She had finally found the fun part of divorce: bashing her ex!