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Fiona
On Saturday morning, someone pounded on Fiona’s front door. What was going on? She takes in a few homeless Christians and suddenly she lives in Grand Central Station? She remembered her time spent in Grand Central and shuddered.
Tonya was headed for the door.
“What are you doing?”
She paused. “I’m going to answer the door.”
That’s what she’d been afraid of. “Please don’t.”
“It’s Roy.”
Fiona stopped. She didn’t know what to say or do.
Tonya went the rest of the way to the door and then hesitated. She squeezed her eyes shut, took a long breath, and then opened the door and smiled genially.
Why was she smiling? What was she up to? Fiona stepped closer to get a better view.
“I’m sorry, I can’t invite you in. It’s not my house.” She tittered nervously.
He didn’t look at her face but seemed focused on her knees instead. “That’s okay. I don’t need much time. I need you to sign this health care paperwork.” He shoved a manila envelope at her. “They won’t remove you from the policy without your permission.”
She took the envelope. “I’ll sign it right away. How should I get it back to you?”
His face twisted up into a hideous expression. “Can’t you just mail it? Do I need to buy you a stamp?”
Somehow, Tonya’s smile didn’t waver. What was wrong with her? “Of course, I’ll mail it. I didn’t realize that would be all right. And what about Emma?”
He still wouldn’t look at her. “What about her?”
Still smiling. These people weren’t even acting human. He was acting subhuman. She was acting superhuman.
“She’s on the policy too. Are you keeping her?”
“I’m dissolving the entire policy. I’m not keeping anyone.”
“Oh.”
They stood there for a few seconds, and then he started to turn away.
“Wait.”
He half-turned back. “What?” Was there something physically wrong with this man’s eyes that prevented him from looking at his wife? Now that Fiona had had the thought, he didn’t look well. He was awfully pale for August, and he looked weak and thin. By contrast, Tonya was tan from all her backyard Bible-reading, and she looked hearty as a horse.
“The magistrate meeting, what—”
“We’re not supposed to talk about that. That’s why we have a magistrate.”
Fiona didn’t think that was true.
“I know, but I want to make this easier on you.”
He flinched, and his eyes came up to her waist. “What?”
“What do you want, Roy?” Her voice had softened, but that odd supernatural smile was still there.
“I want a divorce.”
She nodded. “And?”
“And nothing.” He sighed, and his expression turned a bit more human. “I want to be free of my old life and free to live a new one.”
“And Emma?”
The humanness vanished. “I don’t really want to be discussing this on some weirdo’s porch.”
Fiona grimaced. That’s what one gets for eavesdropping.
“I’m trying to be agreeable. What do you want for custody?”
He shrugged and turned his head to gaze off into the distance. “I would still like to see my daughter.”
“Good. And are you asking for any particular amount of time?”
He shook his head. “Maybe just a dinner now and then.”
Tonya’s body visibly relaxed. “And her college fund?”
Finally, he looked at her. His head snapped toward her, and he snarled. “So that’s what this is all about? You’re after the money?”
She laughed. “It’s not that much, Roy. I’m not after it for myself. It’s for Emma’s college. I want to make sure it stays—”
“It’s gone.”
Her body froze. “Gone?”
“That’s what I said.” He started to walk away.
“My lawyer will be quite interested to hear that—”
He turned back. “You hired a lawyer?”
“Let me finish!” she said firmly. “But I won’t raise a stink as long as you leave the custody of Emma to me. You can still see her, of course, but she’ll be living with me.”
He appeared to be considering that. “Fine.”
She smiled again. “Thank you. And ... I’m sorry, Roy.”
He jerked.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t a better wife.”
He staggered back a step, and when he spoke, his voice had lost all anger. “You were a good wife, Tonya.” Then he turned to go, and it was evident that nothing his wife could say would stop him.
Tonya closed the door, turned, and leaned against it. She exhaled deeply. “Well, that was unexpected.”
“What is up with you?”
She stood up straight and laid the paperwork on the table. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, why didn’t you claw his eyes out and then kick him where it counts?”
Tonya giggled. “I thought about it.”
Fiona doubted that.
“But I’ve spent a lot of time listening to God about this situation, and I think what I’ve heard is that I can’t control his behavior. I can only, by the power of the Holy Spirit, try to control mine. So it is my job to be gentle and meek and to turn the other cheek.”
Fiona snorted. “You rhymed.”
Tonya giggled. “Yes, I suppose I did.”
“So you’re not mad at him? Not even a little?”
Tonya looked contemplative. “I don’t know. I’m disappointed. I’m still sad. But no, I don’t really feel angry with him anymore. Mostly all I feel is peace about the whole thing.”
“That is so very bizarre.”
Tonya laughed. “Welcome to the Kingdom of God, where most things are.”
