“So do you.”
Fair.
“She’s staying with Melissa temporarily. She wants access to collect personal belongings.”
“They’re packed.”
“That was fast.”
“I had the day off.”
He sighed.
“Do not turn this into theater.”
“I’m not.”
“You sound like you’re enjoying parts of it.”
I looked toward the garage full of boxes.
“Less than yesterday.”
“Good. That means you’re becoming useful.”
The temporary arrangement was surprisingly simple once lawyers became involved.
Lauren would remain at Melissa’s for the next several days.
She would retrieve personal belongings at scheduled times.
Neither of us would alter joint accounts beyond ordinary expenses.
No unusual transfers.
No disposal of marital property.
No interference with insurance or utilities.
The question of temporary possession of the house would be addressed formally.
Because I had purchased the property years before marriage and continued paying the mortgage from traceable funds, Stephen believed I had a strong argument that the underlying property remained substantially separate, although marital contributions and improvements still had to be accounted for.
It was more complicated than “my name is on the deed.”
Reality usually is.
Lauren texted that she would come at six.
At 6:07, Melissa’s car pulled into the driveway.
Then Brooke’s.
Of course.
The committee had reconvened.
I opened the garage door.
Lauren stepped out of Melissa’s passenger seat.
She stopped when she saw the boxes.
“Everything?”
“Everything that was clearly yours and safe to pack.”
Brooke stared at the labels.
“This is ridiculous.”
I looked at her.
“Do we need chairs, or is tonight’s committee meeting standing room only?”
Lauren’s head snapped toward me.
“Enough.”
I nodded.
“Fair.”