#summer1995

Dina wasn’t sure if she was happy about them returning in time for a goodbye, or if it made her feel worse. She was ready to go, another ten minutes and she would’ve missed them. She hadn’t packed, had only put some toiletries and clean underwear in her purse, instead she was counting on Nina going to get the rest of her stuff. It made her feel a little pleased to know that her things would still be in the way in the closet and in the bathroom. Bella would have to wait until she owned all of that space.

“I’m so sorry Dina,” Cassandra said coming to hug her, Alexander not far behind.  “If I’d known that’s why he wanted to be alone with you, I never would’ve left, I’m so so sorry.”

Dina didn’t know how to respond to that, so she pulled Alexander close instead. He was easier. “I will always love you Alexander, don’t forget that. I’ll always be here for you.”

She was surprised to see that he looked like he was about to cry, but she couldn’t stand being there any more. It hurt to think she wouldn’t be in this family any longer.

“Stop talking to me like this is a business meeting Mortimer!”

Mortimer sighed, exasperated. “Dina, please calm yourself. I am merely trying to get everything out that I had intended to say. Now I don’t expect you to sign these papers today, obviously you’ll want a lawyer to look them over, but I do think I’ve ordered things the best way possible here. And that’s the only thing we can do in a difficult situation like this. I admit that I have made many mistakes over the past year, but what matters now is dealing with it.”

He was quiet a moment before adding, “Obviously it would be best if you moved out within the next few days.”

He doesn’t love you, you stupid bitch, a voice in Dina’s head whispered. He never did. He just wanted you to play with for a while and now he’s bored.

She rose, suddenly. Her heart was breaking, but at the same time, it was as if someone was putting a blanket over her pain, keeping her pain dulled. She didn’t feel it. She didn’t feel anything. Except anger.

“Mortimer Goth,” she said, surprised over how calm and collected she sounded. “I hate you.”

“Deceive?” Dina repeated, unable to fully grasp what he was telling her. It seemed absolutely ludicrous. “Did you sleep with her?”

He looked ashamed. “Yes.”

“More than once?”

“Yes. But not for long.”

“Oh well thank the watcher for that!” Dina yelled. “My husband has only been cheating on me for a little while, why that makes me feel much better!”

“Dina please understand. I do still love you, you’re carrying my child after all and-”

“You love me because I’m carrying your child?! Like I’m some sort of incubator for your progeny!”

“That’s not what I meant. Please calm down, Dina, there’s no reason we can’t have this conversation like reasonable adults.”

“Don’t talk down to me like I’m a child Mortimer, I am your wife!”

Her eyes filled with tears. “How can you do this to me?”

“Dina I don’t think it’s going to work any more, with all of us living here together like this.”

Joy and relief spread through her. It was the best news she had heard in months.

“Really?” You’re going to ask Bella to move out? Oh thank you, Mortimer, you have no idea how much it has been weighing on me to have her here and..”

She trailed off as she saw his face. He looked guilty.

“Mortimer? It is Bella who is going to leave isn’t it? Isn’t it?!” Her last words came out louder than she had intended.

“Bella was my first love” Mortimer said, “and I knew that she sometimes flirted with other men, or kissed them on film, but she was my true love and I was hers. And Dina my dear, while I do still love and care for you very much, it has become obvious these past few months that my feelings for Bella remain unchanged.”

She stared at him in shock, and he continued.

Dina heard the door close as Bella was leaving with Alexander and Cassandra just as she came downstairs and it was a relief to her be alone with Mortimer. Maybe she could convince him to go on a second honeymoon as soon as the baby was born. They had been so happy secluded in that cabin in the mountains. They could go back to that, him, her and their son.

She found him in the dining room, a plate in front of him, and another across the table. That seemed strange to her. They usually sat next to each other. But perhaps he wanted to look at her without craning his neck? Yes, that must be it.

“Hello Dina, dear,” he said when he saw her. “I’m glad to see you up and about.”

She smiled broadly. “Mortimer. I’m happy we get to spend some time together alone.”

“Yes, I thought it was best. It’s been awhile since it was just the two of us.”

“Well, it won’t ever be the just the two of us,” she said, indicating to her stomach. “Soon we’ll be busy being parents.”

Dina was instantly jealous that Bella got to meet the new boyfriend before her. Sure, they had all already met Ajay, but that had been in his capacity as chauffeur of lost ex-wives and no one had paid him much attention. Cassandra hadn’t dated anyone since Don, and Dina wanted to see how Ajay was with her. She had high demands for her step-daughter’s suitor.

“And Dad asked Mom if he could have the day alone with you, so we’ll be leaving in a little bit. Maybe you’d like to get out of bed soon? I think he’s making lunch for the two of you.”

Time alone? Dina thought. That could mean a lot of things, but she hoped it meant they could talk, kiss and later she could remind him of how much he loved her with whatever acrobatics she could manage with her pregnancy belly between the sheets of this bed. Their bed. His and hers. And not Bella’s.

“Of course, I’ll just need to clean myself up and I’ll be downstairs in half an hour. Tell him for me, please?”

“Is he good? In bed I mean?”

“Oh yes, he’s great!” Cassandra replied and lay down on the bed.

“Better than Don Lothario?”

Cassandra had to think about that. “With Don... it was a lot of technique. It was very focused on the orgasm part. With Ajay it’s more about feeling. He likes eye contact. Don never wanted eye contact. I’m not saying one is better than the other, I’m just saying it’s different.”

She was quiet for a moment before adding; “Maybe I’ll show Ajay some better techniques too though. Just for when we want to try something different.”

“When do we get to meet him properly then?”