Jump to content
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 

593 Riverside Drive - 16. Chapter 16

“That was quite a morning,” Herbert began at dinner. “And Steuer went right to the medical information – everything that was personal.”

“Yes,” Ella agreed. “Though he warned me he’d have to do that. He said our bedroom was, unfortunately, the center of his argument.”

“I’m still amazed you could say all those things,” my mother admitted. “And in front of strangers, and in a courtroom. I couldn’t have,”

“There weren’t that many people I didn’t know,” Ella pointed out. “I’d been introduced to the judge before, and Joe and I knew Benno Lewinson and his wife socially. So it was only the bailiff and the stenographer who were new. And she was busy with her typing, and he seemed like a very nice man.”

“And you stayed so calm,” Mama went on.

“What else could I do?” Ella asked. “Joe and I need to end our marriage, and this seems the simplest way.”

“Steuer seems very good at what he’s doing,” my father also praised. “He introduces what needs to be discussed and does it cleanly and simply.”

“I noticed that, too,” I agreed.

“That’s one of the reasons I chose Max,” Ella acknowledged. “He’s kind, and discrete, and quite a gentleman.”

“Except when it comes to your bedroom,” Herbert teased. “Then he races through.”

I laughed because I liked Herbert’s little jokes. But Essie and my father seemed less pleased.

“I notice Laurie wasn’t mentioned,” Essie quickly went on.

“Yes,” Ella allowed. “Max said he hoped to keep Laurie out of this. We all know that my adopting him is our weakness, and my refusing to give up custody makes that worse. Though Max has advised that if I’m challenged about either of them to be honest and open in my answers.”

“Somehow that sounds too easy,” Mama observed.

“I see nothing was said about your daughter and father-in-law, either,” Essie continued.

“Fortunately, the divorce isn’t about them,” Ella explained, “so they don’t directly affect our case. And to be truthful, they’ve both been kinder to me during the last few months. Also, Laurette’s been busy with her drawings, and teaching now, and she’s still taking classes as well. And Ira’s been distracted by Katie.”

“She is a pretty girl,” Herbert quipped. “Maybe Joe could learn a few things from his father.”

“It’s not Joe’s interest that’s lacking,” Ella assured us, smiling slightly. “It’s his accomplishment.”

My mother looked mildly embarrassed, but maybe only for my father’s sake.

“Something else that you may not realize,” I politely redirected, “especially when you’re just reading the words. And I noticed this while I was typing them up, transcribing from my notes. But you can’t see how modest and soft-spoken Max Steuer is.”

“And how well he presents himself,” my mother attested. “He’s a handsome man and always very well-dressed.”

“Still, sometimes charm isn’t the surest way to win an argument,” Herbert warned. “And no matter how much I’ve liked Benno Lewinson personally when we’ve met, you have to admit that he’s not afraid of being rude in the courtroom.” He turned to Ella. “He certainly didn’t give you an easy afternoon.”

“No,” she admitted. “I can’t said that was comfortable.”

Copyright © 2023 RichEisbrouch; All Rights Reserved.
  • Like 1
  • Love 7
Stories posted in this category are works of fiction. Names, places, characters, events, and incidents are created by the authors' imaginations or are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual persons (living or dead), organizations, companies, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you. 
You are not currently following this story. Be sure to follow to keep up to date with new chapters.

Recommended Comments

Chapter Comments

Ella is so self-assured!  I'm still in disbelief at how vivid the interrogation was in the courtroom.  It's as though Joe's inability to perform was due to Ella's inadequacies. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment

That certainly seems to be the way the case is being built, and that's from Ella's lawyer.  We'll have to see what happens next, with Joe's.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
View Guidelines

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Newsletter

    Sign Up and get an occasional Newsletter.  Fill out your profile with favorite genres and say yes to genre news to get the monthly update for your favorite genres.

    Sign Up
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Our Privacy Policy can be found here: Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue..