Early next morning, I went to Eleanor Champ’s house again. We’d agreed to a brunch date. Joanne led me to the dining room to see her.
Eleanor’s eyes were once again swollen when I came in.
She gave me a tight hug and I patted her back. When she pulled back, I could breathe again. She pointed to a chair.
“Please, sit.”
I did, letting her compose herself a bit.
Brunch was already prepared—salmon quiche with Greek salad. A bottle of red wine was opened as well. Eleanor had already helped herself to a glass.
“How is everything?” I asked.
“I’m just glad that the kids are all right.”
The kids could be heard running down the stairs and into the living room. Zoe was chasing Joseph around and Joseph was laughing with delight.
“Usually I’d tell them to quiet down, but I’m just so happy that they’re safe that they can do whatever they want at this point.”
“I’m glad,” I said. “So how are Matthew and Richard handling all this?”
“Richard doesn’t plan on pressing charges. He’s furious as hell, but at least he’s not doing anything to harm Matthew, as long as Matthew does community service hours for the next three months. And, well, Matthew decided to transfer schools to be with his father in Calgary as soon as the semester is over.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Eleanor sighed. “I don’t want him to leave. But better that he leaves than to end up in jail and get a criminal record that could ruin his life, right?”
“He did try to extract $50,000 from the town mayor,” I said. “He’s lucky that he got off easy.”
“Yes,” Eleanor said. “He’s my son and I love him, but if it were up to me, I would put him in jail for a few days to teach him a lesson. He’d be scared half to death. What hurts is that he knew his actions would hurt me too. I know he’s acting out, but this was just so extreme. He’d always been an intense kid, very sensitive, but I didn’t raise him to be cruel.”
“Maybe it’s the mayor who can be blamed for that,” I said. “So will your relationship change with Matthew?”
“Yes, but I also think my relationship will change the most with my husband. Matthew is right. I don’t love Richard, and I’m not doing anybody any favors by being with him, least of all myself. I plan on getting a divorce in the coming months.”
“Wow.”
Eleanor sniffed. “Yes. I’m brave enough to do it this time.”
She nodded, as if it was the fuel she needed to propel herself to believe it.
“Good for you,” I said. “Why stay in a marriage if you’re not happy?”
“Yes. It took me long enough to realize it. I always said I was staying for the kids, and to help Richard keep his image as a family man, but really, I’m scared. I’m scared not to have the security, scared of being divorced again, of being alone again.”
I put a hand over her hand. She began to tear up again.
“Of course, I’ll wait a bit. I want to make sure Matthew is safe from Richard’s wrath. I’ll divorce after the reelection. If he’s reelected, great, if not, he doesn’t need me anyway.”
“You’re strong,” I said, looking her in the eyes.
She sniffed and laughed it off, embarrassed. “Thank you, Emma, for everything. I feel like such a fool, blubbering and crying around such a famous singer. But you’re sweet. You’re really a Hartfield girl. I’m proud that you’re representing this town.”
“No problem,” I said.
She blew her nose into a tissue and then laughed.
“What happened to Isla?” I asked.
“She’s fired. She was great, but it would’ve been unthinkable to keep her. Richard was tempted to press charges, but he wanted to hush her up as well. Poor girl. She has an unemployed, off-the-wagon father to take care of. I hope she finds a better job. I’d be happy to give her a recommendation, but if Richard ever gets wind of who she’ll work for next, he’ll want to talk to the family and destroy her in the little ways that he can.”
“He’s kind of scary, huh?”
Eleanor shrugged. “He’s my husband.”