The Divorce Papers: A Novel (43 page)

MARIA DURKHEIM

404 ST. CLOUD STREET
NEW SALEM, NA 06556

September 14

Dear Sophie,

A quick note to keep you up to date on the domestic front at the Meiklejohn-Durkheims. I saw my old friend Jacques Valery last week in Philadelphia, when I was visiting Cordelia. We went for a long walk and caught up with each other. He followed up with a note to the house, which I’ve attached. It was very good for my morale, being with him. I recommend a Frenchman, if not as the entrée, then the cheese course.

I’m writing because I think Daniel may have opened the letter. I’m not sure. The flap was all bunched up, as though it had been resealed. He didn’t say anything. He may simply think I’ve resumed an old relationship. He knew about Jacques, Part 1, and he might not have realized that Jacques was writing about Part 2. Then
again, he may not give a tinker’s damn; he may be relieved that I’m moving on. He seems less angry at me since we got Dr. Fischer’s report. I don’t want to feel any sympathy for him, and yet when he’s not being a perfect swine, I find my throat catching. Enough of this twaddle. Oh, where did my stiff upper lip go?

All the best,

Mia

THE PHILADELPHIA CHRONICLE

190 HIGH STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA 19106
(215)333-5555

S
ANGER
& B
OOTH

300 CHURCH STREET
NEW SALEM, NARRAGANSETT 06555
(393) 876-6767
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

September 17, 1999

Anne Sophie Diehl
Traynor, Hand, Wyzanski
222 Church Street
New Salem, Narragansett 06555

Dear Sophie,

This letter serves as notice of new representation. I am writing on behalf of our client, Dr. Daniel Durkheim, who has retained Sanger & Booth, as of September 20, to represent him in his separation negotiations and dissolution proceedings with his wife, Maria Meiklejohn. Kahn & Boyle will no longer be representing him.

We will contact you again shortly with a new offer from Dr. Durkheim. He believes that a prompt resolution of all issues is in everyone’s best interest, and he has instructed us to put forward an offer that promotes agreement.

Yours,

Mary Booth
Attorney at Law

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, darling Sophie. I know I’ll see you tonight, but I wanted you to start the day with my best, best wishes on your 30th birthday.

Don’t bring anything, just your sweet self.

All my love,
Maggie

P.S. Time to start cramming for the judging exams now that you’re 30. No more “dicking around,” as your divorce client likes to say.

Happy Birthday

I remembered this morning that today was your birthday. You had described yourself as an equinocturnal girl. Happy Birthday, Sweet Sophie.

I want to apologize for the way things wound up, for the way I behaved. I was—still am—really crazy about you, but with Tessa acting out, I couldn’t—and still can’t—have any kind of real relationship. She hasn’t gone away. She’s ill, seriously ill. I’m sure that’s why Scammer left. I’ve hired a lawyer, but it’s been very hard going. She doesn’t have, as they say, a known fixed address. I don’t know where or how she’s living. She
calls regularly, sometimes 15 or 16 times a night, to harangue me. I turn the ringer off. I turn the phone off. She leaves rambling messages. Her phone number changes all the time, and when I call back, no one answers. I don’t know how or when I’ll find myself clear of her.

I say this only by way of explanation. It was the wrong time for us. You were, are wonderful. The time we were together, during the rehearsal and run of
The Real Thing
, was for me the happiest in years. I wanted to tell you that.

Harry

P.S. I’m sorry I told Tessa about you. I’m sorry she made a scene in your office. But I couldn’t help it.

It just came out, like a breath.

My Birthday

Dear Maggie,

You and Matt were great. Not the birthday party I expected. I wish, or almost wish, Harry hadn’t written to me. I’m okay. I’ll be okay. For him, it’s awful. You said you weren’t surprised. I know you kept telling me not to give up on him. But it wouldn’t have worked out; he says that, he knows that.

Thanks for everything. The food was delicious. How many bottles of wine did we drink? I saw at least three dead bottles on the table. Almost enough to drown one’s sorrows.

Love,
Sophie

TRAYNOR, HAND, WYZANSKI

222 CHURCH STREET
NEW SALEM, NARRAGANSETT 06555
(393) 876-5678
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

September 23, 1999

Maria Mather Meiklejohn
404 St. Cloud Street
New Salem, NA 06556

Dear Mia,

Unexpected good news. Daniel has gotten himself new lawyers, Sanger & Booth, a small, good firm, two women partners, two women associates. They specialize in family law and often do cases for the state, representing children in termination of parental rights proceedings. I know the principals, Sarah (Sadie) Sanger and Mary (Mamie) Booth. They’re first-rate in every respect: professional, competent, ethical, honorable. Dr. Fischer’s report may be responsible for this. Or Kahn’s reprimand. Or your 10-point letter? Or all of the above. I think we’ll be able to make a deal. Hold steady.

I am attaching their letter giving notice of new representation. Isn’t there a Star Trek movie,
The End of Kahn
?

Yours,

Anne Sophie Diehl

cc: David Greaves

SUSANNA GIOVANNITTI
Formerly of Middleton, Murray

&

CAROLINE LEWISOHN
Formerly of Seward, Matland & Janney

Have Become Members

of

Farrow Allerton
280 Church Street
New Salem, Narragansett 06555

OCTOBER 1, 1999

S
ANGER
& B
OOTH

300 CHURCH STREET
NEW SALEM, NARRAGANSETT 06555
(393) 876-6767
ATTORNEYS AT LAW

October 1, 1999

Anne Sophie Diehl
Traynor, Hand, Wyzanski
222 Church Street
New Salem, Narragansett 06555

Dear Sophie,

I am sending you Dr. Daniel Durkheim’s new offer. I have appropriated your form to allow clear and easy comparisons.

The offer is based on Dr. Durkheim’s current salary of $370,000. As you will see, he has accepted most of the terms your client, Maria Meiklejohn, offered, including rehabilitation alimony in the form of law school tuition. After taxes (estimated at $100,000/year), this offer allocates $150,000, 55% of his net income, in a combination of alimony and child support, to Ms. Meiklejohn and Jane. In light of these substantial payments, the offer does not include any escalator clauses or cost-of-living adjustments.

In distributing retirement funds, investments, and property, this offer recognizes, as is only fair, Ms. Meiklejohn’s inheritance from her mother, not the house, but the trust, which will vest when she’s 50. At the same time, the rehabilitation alimony recognizes that the trust will not vest until she’s 50. Dr. Durkheim will retain his retirement funds and in addition $206,000 in more liquid assets. Ms. Meiklejohn will receive 6/7th of the stock investment. Dr. Durkheim will retain the house for seven years, in line with the alimony and child support arrangement. At the end of seven years, he will pay Ms. Meiklejohn $120,000, one-half of the current net equity as calculated in your offer.

Dr. Durkheim would like the Persian rug; in exchange, he offers to relinquish his interest in all art owned by the couple.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours,