It was a warm and sunny day, birds were squawking, seagulls were chillin’, and people were outside enjoying the weather. Like always. Scarlette was in her backyard, lying out by the pool in her royal purple and gold bikini. Liz walked out of the house wearing a rose pink and black with black lace trimmed bikini with a tray of drinks and fresh cut fruit. She placed the tray on a small round white painted wrought iron table, between the two lounge chairs they laid on.
“So,” Liz began. “How was your date?” She smiled as she sat down.
Scarlette shrugged. “It really wasn’t a date but I had fun. He seems like a nice guy.”
“Oh.” Liz still smiled. “So when are you going to see him again?”
Scarlette turned towards Liz and pulled her sunglasses down a little. “I’m not dating him.” She put her sunglasses back on, grabbing a handful of grapes, and settled back into her chair.
Liz smiled, watching Scarlette. “I think you like him.”
“Of course, he’s a very nice guy.”
“Ha! You really like him, like you WANT to see more of him!”
“I’m not going to start another relationship with a rock star.” Scarlette shifted in her seat in an effort to get comfortable and more sun. “He’s really nice, I had a nice time with him, and that’s all.” She placed a strawberry half in her mouth.
Liz squinted at Scarlette through her sunglasses. “Don’t tell me you’re going to stereotype all rockers’ now.”
“No. I’m going to try and not have Rob ruin it for everyone else.”
“Then, why not?”
Scarlette sighed. “Can I get divorced first, get my shit together, and then maybe ponder upon that?” She was getting slightly irritated at Liz’s pushing.
“Fine. I’ll never bring him up again.” Liz half tossed herself back onto the lounge chair.
“Thank you.” Scarlette closed her eyes.
“I still think you should try now, though.” She said through closed teeth.
Just as Scarlette was about to say something a cell phone rang, she grunted. Liz answered, exchanging a few pleasantries and uh huh’s, she held the phone out to Scarlette.
“It’s your divorce lawyer.”
Scarlette sat up and took the phone from Liz. “Hello George. He signed the papers? That’s a relief.” She smiled and silently thanking the Gods. “Okay, court on Tuesday the twenty fourth at two p.m. I’ll see you then. Yes, I’ll call if anything comes up. Thank you, bye.” She ended the call and handed the phone back to Liz. “Well, maybe he’ll make this easy.”
Liz scoffed as she put the phone down on the table. “I have a feeling, in the pit of my stomach; he’s going to do something at court.”
She sneered. “Don’t jinx it.”
“I’m just trying to be realistic. He’s making it far too easy.”
“Maybe he’s sober…”
They looked at each other and then laughed. “Yeah right.” They both shook their heads.
Scarlette sighed. “I hope he just lets it go, lets me go.”
Liz shrugged and leaned back. “Let’s just enjoy the now and soak up these rays in this beautiful weather.”
Dressed in a dark blue crepe fabric USO dress slightly below the knee and flowed elegantly over her curves, paired with black pumps, cream pearl earrings, and necklace. Her hair was pinned up in victory rolls; make up was light but finely defined eyeliner, giving her a complete 1940’s look.
She sat next to her lawyer in a small court room, behind a metal and faux wood table. They were waiting on Rob to show, he was apparently stuck in traffic. She had given a half smile when his lawyer gave the Judge that excuse.
The Judge shook his head. “I’ll give him five more minutes, Goldberg; he’s wasting not only my time but everyone else’s that is in this room. I’ll hold him in contempt for this.” He was now irritated and turning slightly red.
Scarlette’s lawyer stood up. “If I may your Honor,” He paused waiting a moment for the Judge to approve his speaking, the Judge gave him a nod. “This just shows Mr. Davis’ character, no regard for others weather it’s his wife or an honorable Judge.”
“Sit down Hornstein, I think we all know his character at this point. We all watch T.V. and the news.” The Judge leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk and rubbed his temples.
Then a man in a black three piece suit walked into the room briskly. “I apologize I am late.” He took a seat next to Goldberg.
The Judge narrowed his eyes at him. “I assume you are Mr. Roberto Davis?”
“Yes, your honor.”
“Lucky you walked in when you did, I was about to hold you in contempt. I still might.”
“I’m sorry, your honor.”
“Let’s just get this over with.”
Five minutes later, Scarlette and her lawyer walked out of the courtroom smiling. Rob and his lawyer followed behind and few steps behind. Each were talking to their respective lawyers in hushed tones.
“Half the battle is over Scarlette, personal properties will be discussed in the next hearing; that is where the real battle will lie. He could really drag it out then.” He leaned close to Scarlette so only she could hear.
She nodded. “There really isn’t much he could fight for, I have proof my money is mine and he can have the vehicles, house, and whatever else that is in both of our names. I’ll happily give him those things.” She leaned towards him now. “I don’t know how he could drag it out.”
“I’m just telling you, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. If there is any kind of discrepancy...”
She nodded. “I don’t think there is, but you’re right, anything is possible. Especially with him.”
Now they were outside of the court house, there were a few photographers laying in wait. Scarlette stayed close to her lawyer and kept her mouth closed, so no one could over hear while she was focusing on getting away from the hand full of photographers and their questions, she neglected to realize Rob was now walking next to her.
“Are you just trying to win me back or something?” He said through gritted teeth, leaning close to her left ear.
She gave a cold laugh and tried to push past him and the photographers, shaking her head.
He caught back up with her, shoving photographers out of the way. “You know how much I like you dressed like that.”
Before she could react in disgust, her lawyer placed a hand on her back and rushed her out of the now growing mob, to their cars. She jumped in her vehicle and locked the door. She sat for a few moments breathing, before she turned her SUV on. Thinking of what he said made her stomach turn. “Unbelievable.” She shook her head and began to slowly pull out of the parking lot.
“Oh barf.” Liz made a face of disgust. “Because you only use to dress like that for him… Right.” She shook her head. “What a pig. What a… ugh, I can’t even pick out enough words to get to the point of how disgusting he is.” She shoved a tortilla chip with guacamole on it, into her mouth, then took a drink of her beer.
They were in Scarlette’s kitchen, eating carne asada burritos with home made guacamole and tortilla chips. “I know. I don’t know how I stuck around for so long.” She said in between bites.
“Maybe,” Liz swallowed down more beer. “You should be seen with David. Like go where there will be a ton of photographers who’ll care.”
Scarlette gave a half laugh. “I’ll run it by Mich.”
Liz was going for guacamole. “Maybe then he’ll give up.”
“Or he’ll become a psycho and stalk us both.” Scarlette took a long drink of her beer.
“You really think so?”
Scarlette just looked at Liz.
“Point taken.” Liz took a bite of her burrito.
“I really don’t think there is much to do about getting rid of him, aside from the obvious things I’ve already done. Maybe once I go out of the country on tour he’ll leave me alone.” Scarlette shrugged getting up and walked to the refrigerator and grabbed two more beers.
“I guess we’ll find out in time.” Liz took beer from Scarlette’s hand and opened it. “We need to do this more often.”
Scarlette nodded as she sat back down on the barstool. “We seriously do.”
Liz nodded. “You should invite D down more often you know. Try rebuilding your friendship.”
Scarlette shrugged. “Yeah, I guess. I’ve called a few times, but he never answers or calls back.” She took a bite of her burrito. “And I do leave him messages.” She said in between chews.
Liz shrugged and nodded. “Maybe it’s done then.”
Scarlette shrugged in sadness.
“Or he’s just really busy.”
“Yeah, maybe.” She took a drink from her beer. “I’m use to him being out of my life, sad to say, but it doesn’t bother me like it should. I think, at least.”
Liz nodded and picked up her beer. “Let’s toast, to a new hopeful beginning then!”
Scarlette smile and picked up her beer. “To taking out the trash and starting new relationships!”
They laughed and clinked their beers together, each taking large gulps.
