Before And After the Divorce - 9. More News and What it Means to Dylan

There was no more discussion about Herb, either that night or anytime afterward. And that night, and the next two nights, there was no discussion at all between Lacy and Dylan.

Tuesday

I looked for Herb at bowling but he wasn't there. His team was using a sub. I started to wonder if he quit because he didn't want to have to deal with me, or he was just sick. I'd find that out two weeks later. I'd find out something a lot different before then.

Friday

Lacy came home from work and told me that she had another anouncement to make. This one didn't coincide with a dinner out. This one didn't include Dominic's presence. She didn't cook though. She ordered a couple pizzas and while we were waiting for them to be delivered, she dropped a bombshell. No preamble, just a straight shot to the heart.

"Dominic and I will be moving into a condo on the first of the month that I just bought. You are not welcome to visit him there."

"That's not what the judge decided. I have custody and you have unlimited visitation. If you want to move, that's fine, but Dominic stays with me."

"You can fight it if you want, but I've already had a new hearing and I have received sole custody. I convinced them a faggot should not be raising my son."

"You had a hearing without me? Your son?"

"Yes."

"And I don't even get visitation this time?"

"No. I don't want my son growing up a faggot."

"Lacy, you can't control that."

"Don't bet on it."

"When is your next appointment with Dr. Hsu?"

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"The last time you lashed out like this, there was a tumor affecting your thinking."

"I'm thinking clearly. There's no tumor."

"When did you see him last?"

"None of your fucking faggot business. We're not married, you're not privy to my medical records. And your faggot ass sleeping on the couch until we move out."

"Does Dominic know this?"

"No. And you no longer have any responsibility for him. I will tell him when I'm ready. You're lucky I'm letting you keep this apartment."

"I'm sure my name has never been removed from the lease, so that's not your decision."

"Fine. I'll let you say goodbye to him on the 30th. We'll be out of your life on the first. Enjoy the rest of your life with your faggot friends."

With that, Lacy got up and left the room. I'm stunned. I feel like I've been hit by a two-by-four. Fuck that, a freight train. I can't even move. She did this on a Friday evening so I couldn't react until Monday. I'll need to call Dr. Hsu, my lawyer, fuck knows who else. Lacy comes back into the living room and dumps sheets, a pillow, and a pair of my pajamas on the couch.

"Lacy..."

No response, she just turns around and heads to the bedroom. I hear her slam and lock the door. Fine. You want it that way. I can fight back. I go to Dominic's room and knock on the door. He doesn't answer so I go in. He's not there.

"He's in here with me you faggot. I knew you'd go after him. Fucking pervert."

"Daddy?"

"I'm here Dominic. I think your mommy's tumor is back"

"She grab..."

"Shut up! I don't want you even talking to him."

I hear Dominic start to cry.

"I hope you're fucking happy. You upset my son!"

"I upset him? Lacy, be reasonable."

"Shut up and leave us the fuck alone, or I'll call the cops and tell them you tried to rape my son."

Oh, my God. She's really gone off the deep end. I don't care if it's Friday night, I'm calling Dr. Hsu.

"Answering service, who are you trying to reach?"

"Dr. Hsu."

"We have two doctor Hsus. Which one?"

"The neurologist."

"He's out of the country as of yesterday. He had a family emergency in Hong Kong."

"Does he have someone assigned to cover for his patients?"

"Not that we've been made aware. I'm sorry. If this is an emergency, you should call 9-1-1."

"I guess I'll have to do that."

"Can I do anything else for you?"

You didn't do anything yet, dumbass.

"No. Thank you."

Shit. I do a little searching on my phone. I don't really need 9-1-1, but the police are probably my only choice.

"Brumfeld Police non emergency line. Officer Rose speaking. How can I direct your call?"

"I'm not really sure."

"Can you tell me your name and what exactly the problem is?"

"Yes. I'm Dylan Pastore. My ex-wife has locked herself and our son in the bedroom. She claims she had another hearing that gave her sole custody. She recently recovered from brain cancer and is acting like she was when the tumor was still present."

"In what way is that?"

"I'm gay. She's calling me names and saying she bought a condo and is moving out with him. The last hearing occurred when she was still in the hospital and I was given custody."

"Do you have a copy of that order?"

"Yes. Damn it, no. It's in the bedroom she's locked in."

"DADDY!"

"Hold on one moment officer, my son is calling me."

"OK, I'll wait."

I run to the bedroom door.

"What is it Dominic?"

"Mommy's lying on the floor, she's bouncing around. Her eyes are totally white and she's not answering me."

"OK. Try to calm down, I'll get an ambulance."

"I'll try."

I put the phone back up to my ear.

"Officer Rose?"

"Yes. I heard that. I've dispatched an ambulance to you location. Please stay on the line until they get there."

"Of course. I'm going to get my son out of the bedroom."

"That's OK, just don't disconnect."

"Dominic, can you unlock the door?"

"No. There's another lock and it needs a key."

There's no deadbolt. Maybe she put a latch on with a padlock.

"OK. Move away from the door, I'm going to try to break it down."

"NOOOO. Mommy's right by the door. You'll hit her with it if you break it down."

Fuck.

"OK, do you think you can unlock the door to the terrace?"

"Let me look."

"OK."

"Yes. I can flip the switch. There's a bar on the other half."

"Just lift that up and you'll be able to open the door. But just unlock it. I'll come around and get you."

"OK. It's unlocked and the bar is up."

"I'm coming around now."

I head out the door, thank God we have a ground floor apartment. Trying to get onto a balcony would be a problem. Dominic is standing right inside the door. I slide it open, pick him up and bring him back around to the living room.

"Just stay here. I'm going to go check on mommy."

"OK."

He starts crying again, but I can't calm him right now. I head back around to the terrace and go into the bedroom. Lacy is indeed lying by the door. She's not moving. I can't tell if she's still breathing or not.

"Officer Rose?"

"Yes Dylan. The ambulance should be there in about two minutes."

"I can't tell if she's breathing."

"Do you feel a pulse?"

"I'll try... No, but I'm not sure I'm checking it right. OK, I hear the siren. I'm going to go outside because they're going to have to come in through the terrace door. She's blocking the door to the hall."

"OK. Just stay with me."

I run out front just as the ambulance is pulling up. The EMTs jump out.

"You have to go in through the terrace door. She's lying inside the bedroom door and there's an extra lock on it."

They follow me around to the side and I show them the door.

"Please stay out here sir."

"OK... Officer Rose? The paramedics are here."

"OK Dylan. I'll let you go now. Please call back on this line should you need further assistance."

"Thank you."

Shit. Dominic's still in the living room.

"I'm going around to be with my son."

"OK."

I head back into the living room. Dominic is still crying, but has calmed down a little.

"Is she going to be OK?"

"I don't know, Dominic. The paramedics are with her now."

"I'm scared daddy."

"I know. I am too. We just have to wait."

I hear a loud crack coming from the bedroom. One of the paramedics walks out of the hallway.

"We'll be taking her to St. Thomas'. Keep this area clear, I'm going out for a gurney. You might want to take your son into his bedroom until we're gone."

I didn't like the sound of that one bit, but I wasn't about to ask why.

"Let's go into your room for a couple minutes."

"OK."

The paramedic went out the front door. I took Dominic into his room and closed the door. About a minute later I heard them rolling into the master bedroom, then a few seconds later, rolling her out.

"We'll be out of here in less than a minute. You can follow in a minute. St. Thomas'."

"Thanks."

We wait one more minute. It felt like an hour. I got Dominic's sneakers on, and we headed out the door. At the front door, the pizza delivery man was walking up.

"Lots of excitement here. I think this is yours."

"Yes. Um, let me pay you."

"Already paid for. Have a nice evening."

Not much of a chance of that, but I don't say anything.

"Shit. Dominic, wait here. I have to close and lock the terrace door."

I put the pizzas on the floor and head back into the apartment. I lock the terrace door, head back out the front door, lock it, pick up the pizzas and we're on our way out to my truck. I try to calm myself down for a moment before I start it up. I apparently froze for a bit longer than I thought.

"Are we going daddy?"

"Sorry, yes. I was just trying to calm myself down so we wouldn't crash on the way to the hospital."

"Oh. OK."

I start the truck and we're on our way. We're about ten minutes away from the hospital. Again, it seems like the trip takes hours. After I park, I tell Dominic to eat a slice of pizza, not knowing how long we'll be waiting. We each finish a slice of pizza and head in through the emergency entrance.

"My ex-wife was just brought in. Lacy Trentino."

"Sorry, I don't have anybody here by that name."

"She was just brought in by ambulance."

"OK, sorry. She must be my Jane Doe. She's in room 3, but the record says no visitors. I'm sure a doctor will be out to talk to you shortly."

"Can you check if your Jane Doe was just brought in from 1417 River Drive, apartment 1G? And if so, put her name on the record? Lacy Trentino. T R E N T I N O."

"Of course sir. Just have a seat. I'm sure someone will be with you in a moment."

I sit down, Dominic crawls onto my lap. I put my arms around him and we wait.

Next up - Sorry, no teaser this time.