* * * * * Cut to (almost) the present, twelve years later: I've been divorced for more than two years and Beth has moved to California, "to find herself.* * * * * Cut to (almost) the present, twelve years later: I've been divorced for more than two years and Beth has moved to California, "to find herself." I'm also living in a smaller apartment, but at least Texas doesn't have alimony -- and we never had kids (which I regret) so there's no child support to pay. David and Janet live in Atlanta with their two daughters, ages eleven and nine. He's recently been promoted to regional manager for some kind of government contracting firm; she seems to spend much of her time looking for ways to keep constructively busy. I haven't seen my brother in years (and have no desire to), but I keep in touch with Janet and my nieces, whom I unabashedly adore. Janet calls every few weeks, usually just to chat and to check on my bachelor-ite well-being. And Rachel, the eleven-year-old, always clamors in the background to talk to her Uncle Mike. Rachel and her sister, Rebecca, both write me long letters, too, filled with the latest news about school and their soccer teams, and about the stupid boys who seem to be bothering them lately. I reply with my latest adventures as a consulting engineer, which take me around the country frequently. |