you to represent me and I’d like to petition the courts,” he said firmly.
“Petition the courts? For what?” the attorney was trying to recall Chad’s case.
“My ex is filing for child support. I’d like to petition the courts for joint custody,” he explained.
“Mmhmm, and how much time do you usually spend with her?” he asked, sketching notes as they continued with their phone conversation.
“Well, I only just learned about her last week. Since I’ve known her, I’ve spent several days with her,” he said proudly.
“That may be a problem, Mr. Wetzel. Is there a chance that you might be able to stop in around 2 this afternoon? I think there are some things that we need to discuss before I handle your case.”
“Two o’clock?” Chad asked as he looked over his schedule. “Yes, I can make it in then,” he said.
“Good. And bring any papers you’ve already been served so I can take a look at them. This case might be harder than you think.”
As their phone call ended, Chad felt as if he’d been sucker-punched. He wondered what the attorney meant by things may be harder than he initially thought. This was causing a lot of stress and tension; and right now, he needed to focus on so many other things. It was difficult for him to concentrate all morning. As much as he tried, he couldn’t concentrate on the developing software changes and cancelled a video conference he had with some of his team. He was developing a dull, throbbing headache in the back of his neck. The only time he got those were when he was under a lot of stress. He popped a couple of ibuprofen and tried to focus on his work until his lunch period. He’d decided that he’d use that time to call Christina.
During his lunch break, he slipped out and headed to his usual hiding spot at the sandwich shop. He had to set things straight with her. Dialing Christina’s number, he held his breath waiting for her to answer.
“Hello?” she said picking up the phone.
He blew out a long, deliberate breath. “Christina?”
“Chad? Are you okay? Are you out of breath?” she asked as she heard his breathing through the phone.
“Yes, I'm all right. I was just wondering if I could come by this evening and talk to you. One-on-one, without Kayla.”
Hearing the seriousness in his voice, she grew concerned. “Yes, are you sure everything’s all right? What’s this about?”
“I’ll explain everything when I get there. It might not be until 5 or so, is that okay?”
“Sure, I’ll be here. Is there something I should be worried about?” Christina asked concerned.
“No. I’ll see you then.”
As he scarfed down his sandwich, he sent Audrey a text. He thought it was important for her to hear from him, even if it was just a short message.
Hey baby doll, I just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking about you.
She responded within a few minutes.
Where are you? I just tried calling your office, but you’re not there.
Thinking fast, he responded to her right away.
Yeah, the caterer that was supposed to come today had problems with their van. I’m downtown, grabbing a bite to eat. I’ll be back soon.
That’s odd, she thought. Why didn’t Tina go get his lunch? That’s what she normally does. Trying not to read too much into it, she shrugged it off. Chad had been acting bizarre lately, so his sudden errand running didn’t surprise her.
Once back in his office, Chad tried to speed up his work by skimming over as much information as he could. Why did they have to improve their software now? He wished it could’ve waited until after everything had blown over. When it was time for him to leave, he walked over to Tina’s desk before heading to the lobby.
“Hey, Tina?” he said, getting her attention.
“Yes, Mr. Wetzel?” she
“Petition the courts? For what?” the attorney was trying to recall Chad’s case.
“My ex is filing for child support. I’d like to petition the courts for joint custody,” he explained.
“Mmhmm, and how much time do you usually spend with her?” he asked, sketching notes as they continued with their phone conversation.
“Well, I only just learned about her last week. Since I’ve known her, I’ve spent several days with her,” he said proudly.
“That may be a problem, Mr. Wetzel. Is there a chance that you might be able to stop in around 2 this afternoon? I think there are some things that we need to discuss before I handle your case.”
“Two o’clock?” Chad asked as he looked over his schedule. “Yes, I can make it in then,” he said.
“Good. And bring any papers you’ve already been served so I can take a look at them. This case might be harder than you think.”
As their phone call ended, Chad felt as if he’d been sucker-punched. He wondered what the attorney meant by things may be harder than he initially thought. This was causing a lot of stress and tension; and right now, he needed to focus on so many other things. It was difficult for him to concentrate all morning. As much as he tried, he couldn’t concentrate on the developing software changes and cancelled a video conference he had with some of his team. He was developing a dull, throbbing headache in the back of his neck. The only time he got those were when he was under a lot of stress. He popped a couple of ibuprofen and tried to focus on his work until his lunch period. He’d decided that he’d use that time to call Christina.
During his lunch break, he slipped out and headed to his usual hiding spot at the sandwich shop. He had to set things straight with her. Dialing Christina’s number, he held his breath waiting for her to answer.
“Hello?” she said picking up the phone.
He blew out a long, deliberate breath. “Christina?”
“Chad? Are you okay? Are you out of breath?” she asked as she heard his breathing through the phone.
“Yes, I'm all right. I was just wondering if I could come by this evening and talk to you. One-on-one, without Kayla.”
Hearing the seriousness in his voice, she grew concerned. “Yes, are you sure everything’s all right? What’s this about?”
“I’ll explain everything when I get there. It might not be until 5 or so, is that okay?”
“Sure, I’ll be here. Is there something I should be worried about?” Christina asked concerned.
“No. I’ll see you then.”
As he scarfed down his sandwich, he sent Audrey a text. He thought it was important for her to hear from him, even if it was just a short message.
Hey baby doll, I just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking about you.
She responded within a few minutes.
Where are you? I just tried calling your office, but you’re not there.
Thinking fast, he responded to her right away.
Yeah, the caterer that was supposed to come today had problems with their van. I’m downtown, grabbing a bite to eat. I’ll be back soon.
That’s odd, she thought. Why didn’t Tina go get his lunch? That’s what she normally does. Trying not to read too much into it, she shrugged it off. Chad had been acting bizarre lately, so his sudden errand running didn’t surprise her.
Once back in his office, Chad tried to speed up his work by skimming over as much information as he could. Why did they have to improve their software now? He wished it could’ve waited until after everything had blown over. When it was time for him to leave, he walked over to Tina’s desk before heading to the lobby.
“Hey, Tina?” he said, getting her attention.
“Yes, Mr. Wetzel?” she
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