Chapter 1 : Part 6

Your Bed or Mine?
by Candy Halliday

(Page 6 of 6)

He could have sworn Bob was trembling.

Judge Parkins pointed to Zada's attorney. "Allow the petitioner to stand, Miss Naylon."

He looked back at Bob. "Have the respondent stand as well, Mr. Thompson."

Me?

You've got to be kidding.

I'm just an innocent bystander here!

"Stand up!" Bob whispered from the corner of his mouth.

Reluctantly, Rick pushed his chair back and stood up.

But he knew better than to look at Zada again.

Guilt by association.

Damn.

Dead man standing.

Suddenly, Zada didn't feel so brave.

Her quick temper often got the better of her. But how were you supposed to react to being called an immature twit in front of an entire courtroom of people?

Keep your militant mouth shut.

Good advice, Zada realized, but sadly too late.

She gulped when Judge Parkins glared at her again.

"I'm the one who has been insulted this morning," he said. "I'm insulted every time a couple shows up in my courtroom to make a mockery out of the institution of marriage."

Save it, Grandpa.

I didn't make a mockery out of marriage.

Marriage made a mockery out of me.

Judge Parkins's gaze turned toward Rick. "We've all heard how devoted you are to providing homeland security for the country you so dearly love, Mr. Clark," he said.

He looked back at Zada. "And we've heard how devoted you are to helping disabled children everywhere with your uplifting and motivational children's books."

Parkins templed his fingers in front of him. "We've also heard in great detail how important it is to both of you, that the blind dog you both love so dearly, stays in the house that was specifically designed so the dog could function at a normal level."

He shook his head disgustedly.

"What I find insulting," he said, "is that both of you have more passion for your careers and your blind dog, than you do for the very person you promised to love, honor, and cherish until death do you part."

Ouch!

Those words hit home faster than a speeding bullet.

Zada winced as the words pierced her heart.

"Has it crossed either of your minds," Parkins asked, looking at her, then back at Rick, "that if you'd given your marriage the same level of commitment you've given to your dog and your careers, you wouldn't be appearing before me in divorce court now?"

Double ouch!

Slumping any lower simply wasn't possible.

"Instant gratification," Parkins said and smiled. "That's at the top of everyone's list today."

His overtly smug smile didn't cheer Zada.

"People expect instant gratification from their employers, or they throw in the towel and get another job. People expect instant gratification in their marriages, or they throw in the towel and get another spouse. And rather than take time out of their busy schedules to work out their problems themselves, people have even come to expect instant gratification in a court of law."

The smile disappeared.

"But in my courtroom," Parkins said, "the only person entitled to instant gratification is me."

He looked at Zada, then back at Rick again.

"Let me assure you," he said, "nothing will gratify me more than the decision I'm making in this case today."

Crap! Here it comes.

Zada held her breath.

Judge Parkins closed the file in front of him and looked around the courtroom with authority.

"Let the record reflect that the petitioner and the respondent have ninety days to settle the property dispute between them."

He looked over the bench at both attorneys. "Don't show up in my courtroom again without this matter being settled."

Down came the gavel.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Only ninety days?

To reach a compromise?

Try ninety freaking years!

Except, even ninety years, Zada feared, was laughable.

Copyright © 2006 by Candy Viers

About the Author

Candy Halliday is a renegade Baby Boomer who is also a part-time dental hygienist. She's been married to her Mr. Right for 17 years, has one daughter and two fabulous grandchildren.