Page 20 of Resisting the Fall

His head quirked to the side. “I’d actually rather not. You know how I feel about New York City.”

My entire body stiffened. “I doubt you’d even need to come here.”

I could have sworn the corners of his mouth twitched. “But on the off chance I do, I think I’d just prefer to keep the case in Vermont.”

I shook my head, attempting to form words with my racing, incoherent thoughts.

“Well, then,” Judge Rost said before I could respond, lifting our file into view and straightening it with a few hits on her desk, “let’s discuss how to proceed. I’m willing to allow a second attempt at the thirty-day reconciliation effort. Daily meals can be done virtually, but the weekly shared activity must be in person. Also, in addition to the two sessions of joint marriage counseling, I’m strongly encouraging a seventy-two-hour period spent in one another’s company.”

What?! “Can we just forego the reconciliation effort?”

Judge Rost’s lips formed into a straight line. “Being that the Court cannot force couples to undergo reconciliation, you are welcome to resume typical proceedings. It will, of course, add time to the process.”

“How much time?”

“Once you submit the new paperwork, I’ll need to review it, along with the case again, but we can probably get you on the calendar for your initial hearing in sixty to ninety days.”

I could see my mouth hanging open in the video feed, but I couldn’t convince it to close. “The initial hearing? Can this not count as the initial hearing?”

“Miss Price, I fear our previous interaction gave you an incorrect impression of how this all works. If you don’t want to accept my generous and, might I add, rare offer to rush the case along, we will put your file back in the docket, and you can wait your turn like everyone else. Is that what you’d prefer?”

“No,” I said, even surprising myself. Instinctively, I knew I’d tried Judge Rost’s patience to her limit. If I didn’t accept her offer, she would probably take a fine-tooth comb to our file simply to make it take longer. My best bet was to speak with Bennett again about moving the case to New York, where an unbiased judge would preside over it. “I’m fine to continue with the reconciliation effort.”

Judge Rost gave a nod of acceptance. “Mr. Walker?”

“I’m fine with that as well.”

“Good.” Her gaze shifted between us. “Is there anything else?”

“I’ll need Maven’s new phone number so we can coordinate,” Ben said.

“Why don’t you both type your current contact information in the chat?”

Ben had the same number since high school, and I couldn’t forget it if I tried, so I disregarded his message and typed my number.

My phone lit with a text notification. I glanced down at it.

Unknown Number: Hey. It’s Ben.

Unknown Number: Looking forward to our reconciliation effort.

Me:

He kept his head lowered, covering his mouth with his hand. Did he think this was funny? Is that why he was doing this? It definitely wasn’t because he thought reconciliation was a possibility.

“Are we good, then?” Judge Rost asked.

Ben nodded. I just scowled.

I was so far from good.

Maven

“You have to eat a meal together over the phone?” Cassandra appeared as perplexed as I was by the stipulation.

I mixed a few berries into my yogurt, then moved around the large island to sit by her at the table. “Every day for thirty days if I can’t get him to agree to move the case here to New York.”

“Can a judge even order something like that?”