“Hi, Kate,” Elizabeth said as she sat down to lunch at Mon Petite Café.
“Hi, Elizabeth,” Kate replied. “It’s so good to see you. I have some news.”
“Oh, really?” Elizabeth responded as she placed a napkin on her lap.
“Yes: I have a new address,” she said. “One with only four in the household.”
“Wow! That is news,” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“So you hadn’t heard,” Kate asked. “I thought Cecily might have told you. I used her as my agent.”
“No,” said Elizabeth. “I’ve been busy dealing with the closing of the March issue. Go on.”
“The kids and I are now living on Rockrimmon Lane, and Lorenzo is living in our home—I mean, my former home—alone,” Kate said, absolutely beaming.
“Based on your expression, it is very good news,” Elizabeth said. “It’s so nice to see you smiling.”
Kate told her about the rape video, the legal separation, and the current custody arrangements.
“I’m proud of you,” Elizabeth responded. “That took great courage.”
“Jack gave me the idea of video surveillance and even paid for it,” Kate further explained. “Lorenzo thought his abuse was too private to be exposed, but it backfired on him. It’s proving to be very damning for him.”
“How did you get custody of the kids until the mediation meeting?” Elizabeth asked. “Lorenzo is so possessive of them.”
“My home video. My attorney told Lorenzo’s attorney that we were considering pressing rape charges and definitely would if he didn’t agree to my having full custody of the children prior to the divorce settlement,” Kate said.
“That’s smart. You have to be so clever in these situations,” Elizabeth noted. “How are you and the kids doing on your own?”
“I’m taking it day by day, and the kids and I are adjusting to the change,” Kate explained, taking a sip of water. “I’m so glad to be away from him. I don’t how I functioned before. I was constantly worried about setting him off. I was so afraid of him and, no matter how much I tried to stay positive and hide it, I knew the kids sensed it. I knew they could feel all the stress between Lorenzo and me. I hated having them grow up in that environment; I felt like it was teaching Lorenzo Jr. to be a bad man and Sarah and Maddy to seek men who will abuse them. God, I hated being in that house. I hated being at home. Now, home is such a happy place for my kids and me.”
“That’s great!” responded Elizabeth.
“And I’m excited about dedicating more time to my career,” added Kate. “Lorenzo limited how much I worked, how far I advanced. My success threatened him. Now I’m figuring out how to expand my catering business. I have aspirations of opening a café.”
“Terrific!” Elizabeth enthused. “And what about Jack?”
“As you probably heard, Jack has fallen off the face of the earth,” Kate replied, the smile disappearing from her face. “Even his assistant doesn’t know where he is. No one knows, and he isn’t responding to anyone’s calls, texts, or messages. The yoga studio still has the asbestos notice out front.”
“That’s unusual,” Elizabeth commented, already aware that Jack was gone and wouldn’t be coming back. “Maybe the fire and the death was too upsetting for him to remain in town?”
“I’m actually pretty broken up about it,” Kate admitted. “I think I’m in love with him.”
“In love with him?” Elizabeth gasped. “No, you can’t be.”
“Yes, we had grown quite close recently,” she said. “I think he loved me, too.”
“Kate, you know how many other women he was sleeping with, don’t you?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes, but we had a deep connection,” she said. “I’m positive we did. And, anyway, I’m married. Or was.”
“Well, I’m sorry you’re sad about Jack, but the really important thing is that you’ve finally gotten away from Lorenzo,” Elizabeth stressed. “And even if Jack doesn’t surface again, I don’t believe you’ll be alone for long. Once word gets out that you’re unattached, single men will swarm to you.”
“I don’t think I want that, either,” said Kate wearily.
“I understand,” responded Elizabeth seriously. “Dating isn’t easy. Not at all… But there is a new, single man who just joined Andrew’s firm,” she continued, quickly brightening. “He lives in Greenwich, but he’s Australian. Andrew said he’s good guy. I met him a few weeks ago and he was very charming. Witty. Attractive. Well-read. I’m going to introduce you to him. And I’m going to ask Andrew to think of other single men to introduce you to. He’s in the city a lot with work. He must know of others. And he’ll do a good job vetting them for you. He likes you, and he wouldn’t want to set you up with a jerk.”
“Elizabeth and Andrew, my match makers,” said Kate with a sheepish smile. “I want all the first dates to be double-dates with you two.”
“I’d love that!” exclaimed Elizabeth. “And after each date, we can analyze the man together. Thumbs-up or thumbs-down. Weed the bad ones out quickly. I know you won’t be alone for long,” she added, smiling broadly at Kate.