"It wasn't long afterward that I came to see Dr. Marlowe."
I took a deep breath and looked out the window. No one spoke. We could hear water running through a pipe somewhere off to our right in the house.
"What happened with the judge and all?" Star asked finally.
"It's not completely over," I replied, "but it looks like my parents are going to compromise and agree to joint custody. My father is talking about building himself a new house. He's getting more and more excited about it. He's brought me the plans and showed me where my room would be and he's asked me to make suggestions.
"My mother is talking about a leave of absence from her job, but I'm not holding my breath. Yesterday, she said the company management was thinking about giving her a significant raise to keep her from leaving, even for a hiatus.
"Things are different in the house. I'll say that. They both seem to tiptoe around me lately and they never argue or even discuss problems when I'm around. In fact, it's just the opposite. They're overly polite to each other. Their war is coming to an end," I said.
"Everyone talks about rebuilding, mending, putting it all behind us. There's a new reality and we've got to learn how to adjust to it," I said, repeating some of the platitudes I had been told.
"I feel like my whole life to this point was written in chalk and a few lawyers, sociologists, yes, even therapists, have come along and helped erase it and start writing new words. Sometimes, I think I should change my name and really go through a rebirth."
"You've got a pretty name," Misty said softly.
I smiled at her. She reached out to touch my hand and hold it for a moment.
"Well," Dr. Marlowe said, "I don't know about you guys, but I think I'm ready to call it a day. You heard Emma before. She practically ordered me to be sure you all enjoyed the nice weather."
I nodded. All the girls were staring at me now. Then Misty smiled and Star quickly followed. Cat joined them and I laughed.
"I guess I talked a lot more than I expected. Sorry." "No, no, it was fine," Star said.
"Yeah, I'm glad you told us as much as you wanted," Misty said.
Cat nodded.
"Me too," she said in a voice just above a whisper.
We all stood up and Dr. Marlowe led us out of the office and to the front door. My limousine and driver were there already, as was Star's grandmother and Cat's mother. Misty had to call for a cab and we all offered to wait with her.
"No, you don't have to," she said. "It won't be long. I'm used to waiting for cabs these days."
"I bet," Star said and then looked at Cat. "You coming back here tomorrow?"
She looked at each of us, her eyes fearful.
"Yes," she said.
"You'd better;' Star said, "or we'll be coming to your house."
"Stop scaring her," Misty ordered. "She'll come. You want to come back, right, Cat?"
Cathy smiled at being called Cat and nodded. She looked toward her mother and lost her smile quickly. "It's hard," I told her, "but it does help. You'll see." I squeezed her hand.
"Okay, bye," she said in a small voice, and walked to her mother's car. We watched her get in and then drive off. Her mother didn't look our way.
"Granny's scowling at me," Star said. "I better get a move on."
"I guess that's Rodney gaping at us from the back seat," I said.
"That's him," she said with a laugh.
"He looks cute," Misty said.
"Don't let him fool you. Cute only lasts a few minutes every day," she said, and Misty and I laughed. "See you tomorrow, girlfriends," she added and walked quickly to her grandmother's car. "What are you gaping at them like that for?" we heard her yell at Rodney. "They're just girls. Get your head in," she ordered and got into the car.
She smiled and waved to us as they pulled away. Misty walked with me to the limousine. The driver got out to open the door.
"It is a pretty day. What are you going to do with the rest of it?" she asked.
"I don't know. I have some magazines to read. I guess I'll just lounge by the pool and work on my tan or paint my fingernails. What about you?"
She shrugged.
"Nothing," she said.
"Give me your phone number," I said. "I'll call you later."
"Really?" She gave it to me and I got into the limousine and rolled down the window.
"I guess what happens, what hurts the most," I said, "is you lose faith. You think, if they can fall out of love, the two people you love the most, the two people you idolized and believed in the most, then how can anything beautiful happen between you and someone? Understand?"
"Yes," she said. "Exactly."
I reached out and she took my hand for a moment. "Maybe, we're better than them," she offered.
"Maybe the best of them is in us and we're even better." "Maybe," I said.
She let go and stepped back as the limousine started. Her hand had felt like the string on a balloon. As I rode off, the balloon rose in my imagination. Our four faces were on it and we were drifting into the wind.
Drifting toward something better.
Maybe.