31 to 40

divorce is final
healing comes slowly
first time alone
weird occurances abound
strange nightmares haunt
then she discovers
he's stalking her

hang up calls
rear view glimpses
guilt trip notes
angry emails sent
tense work encounters
gradually she understands
he's the crazy

times are wild
she lets loose
belated teen adventures
she works out
she goes dancing
wins trivia contests
busy, busy, busy

new love interest
tall and lanky
harley riding veteran
talks real nice
scares off stalker
but something's wrong
finally she discovers

on the rebound
married lover revealed
she meets fate
a new guy
a hurried courtship
four battered children
they need her
she can't refuse

honeymoon is brief
just months alone
kids' needs call
custody court battle
instant family life
court-ordered counseling
kids get better
she gets worse

family stress increases
husband changes shifts
everything's on her
constant headaches strike
family reunion nightmare
car breaks down
stranded in Millington
childhood memories surface
      
husband's in trouble
keeps getting demoted
the ultimate transfer
across state lines
abandoning his children
but they rebel
follow their father 
            
long distance marriage
driving every weekend
no personal time
she drives marathon
does their laundry
washes their dishes
they ignore her

fortieth birthday forgotten
she works harder
preparing for holidays
saving up leave
till he advises
"call a lawyer"
Merry Christmas--divorce

c. 12/2008