Too Good to Be True

Chapter 1

Kate wasn't sure how her family would take the news that she was about to start divorce proceedings against her husband of seven years. Jack had been her high school sweet heart, popular with the girls throughout his reign as student body president, captain of the football team. Early in their marriage he had attended college while Kate supported them.

Jack's parents had offered help, Kate had taken a job as nurse's aid to her father's best friend Wayne Mahoney, a general physician in the small town of Elizabeth, allowing them to manage without outside help. Seven years later she continued to work for Dr. Mahoney except now she held more responsibility, and essentially ran the small clinic for Dr. Mahoney.

Kate was leaving the office early today for her appointment with the attorney in downtown Freeport. Kate wanted the convenience of having her attorney in the same town where court would be held, not to think of what the only attorney in Elizabeth would do if she had gone to him for advice. Today was Friday and a long weekend. New Year's was on Monday. "See you Tuesday?"

Kate had been thinking to herself nearly missing what he had said, "Yes, Tuesday, Happy New Years." "Don't forget, you and Jack are welcome to join us at the club Monday."

Kate knew that Jack wouldn't be home, as he already made plans for New Year's, plans that didn't include her. "We'll keep that in mind. Thanks."

Driving toward Freeport she watched for signs of ice on the roadway, yesterdays snow storm left the roads nearly impassable, today they were patchy. Her thoughts were on her conversation she had with Jack.

Carol Burton of nearby Warren had called their house looking for Jack, not unusual because Jack was in business for himself, an architect, most of the new he designed homes in Elizabeth. Kate had run halfway down the stairs to yell at Jack to pick up the extension, then made her way back to the kitchen phone to catch part of their conversation.

"I got the results back and they're positive." Carol was talking in low key.

Jack sighed on the phone before answering, "Did you take a home pregnancy test or see a doctor?"

"A doctor." Carol answered, Kate stood frozen with the receiver in her hand, quietly she held onto the phone while listening. "Oh Jack."

Jack didn't respond right away, Kate knew that he was deep in thought, after seconds passed he talked to her with the gentleness that she remembered when they had first married, "I'll call you back."

Kate was the last to hang up, she held tight to the kitchen counter. How she had prayed that she would become pregnant. So often she had blamed herself, constant questions from both sets of parents about when they would become grandparents, making her disappointment worse.

Kate now sat inside the office waiting her turn to see the attorney, George Ingram. When the receptionist called her name, she could feel the uneasiness building inside herself. The attorney sat behind his desk, but stood as she walked into his office, "This is Kate Kinsey, Mr. Ingram."

George motioned for her to take a seat opposite of his, "Well, I read here that you are wanting to file a petition to dissolve your marriage?"

"That's correct." Kate found herself looking down at her purse as she answered. A feeling that she had been the one to fail consumed her thoughts. "Can they be filed today?"

George looked at the clock on the wall and shook his head no, "Too late today and with the holiday being on Monday I'm afraid that it won't be filed until Tuesday the earliest."

George took out a yellow legal pad and pen, jotting her name at the top he asked, "Your husband's full name?"

"Jack Robert Kinsey." She looked up toward the attorney for the first time.

"Any children?" George needed all of the information before the papers could be typed, he could tell without looking that the young woman that she was reluctant to tell all.

"No." Again she looked at her purse, then asked, 'How long does it take?"

"A divorce takes about six months if both parties agree, and since there are no children involved, we won't have to worry about custody. Assets?"

"I don't want anything except my clothes and my car."