Chapter 20 - THE DIVORCE MEDIATIONWe could have fought three more years.
Instead, after eighteen months, mediation.
Jason looked exhausted.
So was I.
Issues:
House.
Debt.
Retirement accounts.
Custody.
Legal fees.
Trust claims.
We negotiated.
The house would be sold after Owen finished kindergarten.
Home-equity debt largely allocated to Jason because of circumstances around borrowing.
Other marital assets divided.
Neither touched my father's trust beyond proper child-benefit structures.
Custody became shared, with me having slightly more school-night time due consistency and Jason's work schedule.
Neither parent disparaged the other.
Linda's contact dependent on continued appropriate behavior.
No victory speech.
Just signatures.
Jason looked at me after.
“Seven years.”
“Eight by now.”
He smiled sadly.
“Right.”
We had spent so long litigating we added another anniversary.
Then he said:
“I’m sorry about Sunday.”
I looked at him.
“Which part?”
“The silence.”
That surprised me.
Not towel.
Not divorce.
He understood.
“I knew what Mom was going to do.”
“Yes.”
“I watched.”
“Yes.”
“I told myself if I defended you, plan failed.”
“Yes.”
He swallowed.
“That was cruel.”
“Yes.”
No comforting him.
Truth didn't require softness immediately.
He nodded.
“I'm sorry.”
I believed he meant it.
That did not restore marriage.
May you like
Some apologies arrive after the structure they could have saved is already gone.
Still useful.
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