A Woman's Place: A Novel Read Online Free PDF

discussion, one we'd had several months ago. That one had started with spit and fire before reaching the colder than usual, firmer than usual stage in which Dennis had suggested we separate.
    "Why not?" I asked now, but cautiously.
    He took a drink.
    "Dennis?" I didn't like the things I was thinking or feeling. I had argued against a separation that last time, just as I had other times before that, but he looked more self-assured now.
    The doorbell rang.
    My eyes flew behind me to the door, then back to Dennis. "Who is it?" I asked when he showed no surprise.
    He gestured with the glass for me to open the door, which I quickly did. A pleasant-looking, casually dressed, middle-aged man stood there.
    "Claire Raphael?"
    "Yes."
    He handed me an ordinary business envelope. No sooner had I taken it when he turned and started back down the walk.
    The envelope had my name on the front. The return address read the Office of the Constable of Essex County.
    I closed the door. With an uneasy glance at Dennis, I opened the envelope. two.
    The heading proclaimed the paper a Temporary Order issued by the Probate and Family Court Department of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Essex Division. Dennis's name was typed in as the plaintiff, my name as the defendant.
    Bewildered, I glanced up at him. He looked totally placid. I read on. Pending a hearing on the merits or until further order of the court, it is ordered that:
    The plaintiff father is to have the temporary custody of John and Clara Kate Raphael, the minor children of the parties.
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    Barbara Delinsky - A Woman's Place
    The wife is to vacate the marital premises for the weekend beginning forthwith and up until noon on Monday, October 28, at which time all parties are to appear to show cause why the order for temporary custody and vacate should or should not continue.
    At said time a hearing will be held to determine temporary child custody and support payment in advance of a final divorce settlement. The form was dated that day, Thursday, October 24, and signed by E. Warren Selwey, Justice of the Probate and Family Court. I stared at the paper for the longest time. All I could think was that Dennis was playing a sick joke to drive home the fact that he hated my traveling. But the paper looked real--embossed letterhead, blanks filled by an honest-to-goodness typewriter that, I checked, left marks on the back--and Dennis wasn't laughing.
    "What is this?" I asked.
    "It should be clear."
    "It looks like a court order."
    "Smart girl."
    "A court order?"
    "Right in one."
    "Dennis," I protested and held out the paper. "What is it?" Dennis was a showman. What he lacked in business sense, he made up for in good looks and charm and the kind of confident smiles people gravitated toward. As his wife, I knew there was a certain unsureness behind the facade.
    At least, there usually was. This time the confidence seemed real. It gave me a chill.
    "I've filed for divorce," he said. "The court has given me temporary custody of the kids and ordered you out of this house." Definitely a joke. "You're kidding."
    "No. That paper makes it official."
    I shook my head. It made no sense. "Why are the children at your parents' house? It's a school night."
    "My parents live close enough. Having supper with them is a novelty for the kids, and it gives you time to be served and clear out. I don't want them upset."
    "If you don't want them upset," I said with a hard swallow and held up the paper, "what is this all about?"
    He pushed away from the doorjamb, less patient now. "For Christ's sake, Claire, it's right there. I'm suing you for divorce. I repeat. Suing you for divorce. Why won't that register?"
    My voice rose. I was getting scared. "Because it isn't the way two rational people who have been married for fifteen good years behave. People like that approach each other and talk." Page 18
    Barbara Delinsky - A Woman's Place
    "I tried. You wouldn't listen. Three times I mentioned divorce. I'll tell you the