Jax's Holiday: An Interracial Romance

by Renee Lindemann

  “So, you have been trying to secure a divorce from Colette Pierce, according to the first summons dated well over two years ago. When she was not served why didn’t you file a thirty-day notice? I know you know the letter of the law Mr. Pierce,” the Judge asked.

  “In all honesty, your honor, I was holding out hope of a reconciliation. I thought serving Colette divorce papers would bring her back to me. I thought it would give me a chance to plead my case,” Jax answered honestly.

  “Well, it looks like you tried awfully hard for a year then stopped trying. What changed Mr. Pierce,” the Judge continued?

  “My mother became ill and eventually terminal. My focus was on my mother’s failing health, not the whereabouts of my wayward wife,” Jax answered.

  “When did Mrs. Pierce leave the marriage,” the Judge asked. Eric handed the bailiff the Dear John letter for evidence. The Judge looked over the ratty document, handling it with care.

  “This letter is dated almost three years ago,” the Judge stated. “Did Mrs. Pierce ever come home in those three years?”

  “No, your honor, Colette only arrived in town, to my knowledge, six weeks ago on the day my mother passed away.”

  Colette interrupted, “She isn’t your real mother.”

  The glare the Judge issued made her close her mouth and shrink back in the chair. He looked over a few other documents before moving on.

  “Mr. Pierce, you have filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences,” the Judge retorted. Jax stated in the affirmative.

  “I am to assume it had something to do with your wife leaving you for this John person stated in the letter,” the Judge asked.

  “Yes, your honor,” he replied.

  “So, to sum up your case Mr. Pierce. You were married to Mrs. Colette Pierce for two years at which time you received a letter stating she had fallen in love with John. In the letter, she informed you that she was leaving with this fellow, indefinitely. You tried for one year to get her back by serving her divorce papers, once a month it seems. When your mother became terminally ill, you stopped trying to secure a divorce. Your wife returns on the day your mother dies and wants to reconcile. You decide you don’t want to reconcile and file for divorce,” the Judge summarized.

  “That’s correct,” Jax stated. “Ok, Mrs. Pierce let’s hear your side of the story.”

  “Thank you, your honor. I was married to Jax Pierce for two years. In those two years, I was basically ignored. All Jax cared about was being a lawyer. He worked long hours and sometimes picked up pro bono cases. We were a new couple with a mortgage and he was out working for free. Then he came up with an idea for a new business. We were already strapped for cash but he was insistent that once his business plan was completed he would secure the startup money. I worked extra hours as an administrative assistant to maintain our lifestyle. I was lonely and my boss started paying attention to me. He would buy me gifts and take me to nice lunches. Eventually, I fell in love with all the attention he was showering upon me. He convinced me to leave my husband to make him jealous. I thought I would only be gone for a little while and Jax would miss me and beg my forgiveness. Instead, I didn’t hear from him. I never received those summons as you can see. I had no choice but to stay with John. I had nowhere else to go. My closest relative, Aunt Emma Pierce, had already washed her hands of me when I married Jax. I was all alone in the world. I was out one day and ran into a distant cousin who told me that Aunt Emma was dying. I told John I was leaving him and going home to help my husband deal with this difficult news. I arrived a few hours before she passed. It was bittersweet getting to see my Aunt Emma. We both apologized to each other before she passed.”

  It took everything in Jax not to call bullshit on her words. Eric gave his arm a quick squeeze urging him to remain quiet while she spun her yarn. Colette paused to allow a few tears to fall before continuing.

  “When Jax arrived to the nursing home he didn’t want me there. I stood my ground and supported him through this tragedy. When the nurse arrived, it was very clear that there was something going on between the two of them. She seemed very angry that I was there to comfort my husband and aunt. Jax was scared to look her in the face and I knew that they had been intimate. I was upset but I didn’t want to be a hypocrite, so I didn’t say anything. After we left the nursing home I let Jax know that I wanted to fix our marriage and start a family. I helped him plan the funeral and took care of him while he grieved the loss of Aunt Emma. While I was at the gym, the nurse followed me and accosted me. She said she was in love with Jax and that I had better leave or she would hurt me, because she was from Oakland. I told Jax and he said he would deal with it but I don’t think he said anything to her for stalking me. I know he wants to punish me and I deserve it but, your honor, our marriage is worth saving. I love my husband very much. I just want to come first in his life. Now I think he has started an unethical relationship with Aunt Emma’s nurse to hurt me. I don’t want a divorce, your honor.”

  “Wow! That’s an interesting story. You do realize you were away from your marriage by your own admission, for nearly three years. You were away from your marriage longer than you were married. How am I supposed to be fair and impartial? How am I to divide assets if you were only married for two years and living with another man for almost three years?”

  Colette took a few moments to think about the question. She plastered a sad regretful face on and spoke, “Your honor, if he insists on a divorce, even though I do not want to divorce him then I think our assets should be split equally. I was married to him for two years and they were difficult years. Even though I temporarily left our marriage, I was technically still very married to Jax. I think it is only fair that we divide the company and all assets. I supported him during the creation of the company, while he was building his reputation, and when Aunt Emma died.”

  “Are you out of your mind?” Jax hissed unable to keep his comments quiet. It was Jax’s turn to receive the lethal stare of the imposing Judge. Jax apologized and quieted down immediately. Colette looked on with a sad and tearful expression.

  “In the state of California, we have what is called community property. Mrs. Pierce, are you familiar with community property,” he asked. Her lawyer leaned over and whispered in her ear. Colette gave a slight nod before answering, “It’s the monies or properties earned or bought during the marriage.”

  “Yes, and it also includes the debts as well,” he added. “Seeing that there are no outstanding debts for either of you then we will move on to discussing the community property. As you have stated community property is the assets accumulated during the marriage. I see you bought a house with a property value of four-hundred thousand dollars. The house was sold last year for four-hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The profit off the house was fifty thousand dollars. So, that is community property. There was a 401K still in its infancy with a total balance of six thousand dollars after two years for both of you. According to tax returns filed the first year after Mrs. Pierce left the marriage, Mr. Pierce earned one-hundred and sixty thousand dollars. Mrs. Pierce earned six-two thousand dollars. You owed five thousand in taxes which was paid in full. Year two after Mrs. Pierce left the marriage, Mr. Pierce earned one-hundred thousand dollars and filed married but separate. You owed nine thousand in taxes which was paid in full.”

  “I didn’t have access to her W-2, so I had no choice but to file married but separate,” Jax explained.

  “According to this employment record, since Mrs. Pierce’s departure, she has not held a job for which she would receive a W-2,” the Judge remarked. “So now we move on to separate property.”

  Colette’s lawyer swallowed hard as this would be her downfall. That letter would serve as the date of separation and spiral her chances down to the toilet.

  “Separate property is property acquired during a marriage that was paid for by monies given as a gift and or inheritance. It is also meant to include any monies earned or property acquired after the se
paration date,” the Judge explained. Colette slumped into her chair as tears propelled down her cheeks.

  “Even though you two were never legally separated, we have this letter and Mrs. Pierce confirmation of the authenticity of this letter. This will be our separation date. Any income, property, or monies inherited or gifted would not qualify as community property. With that being the case we have a total of fifty-six thousand dollars as community property. After we deduct the paid taxes of fourteen thousand dollars over two years we have forty-two thousand dollars of community property to split in half.”

  “No! That can’t be right. What about his BMW that is community property? Jax has way more money than that. He makes a ton of money with his company. Why aren’t you factoring in our company? I helped him put together that business plan,” Colette exclaimed.

  “You will calm down or you will be removed. Mrs. Pierce for the record the company Pierce Legal Consulting was started six months after you left. It was also started with monies gifted to Jax Pierce by Emma Pierce. The BMW was a birthday gift also from Emma Pierce. Monies or property gifted or inherited do not count as community property. You also have no right to any monies he earned after the date of this letter,” the Judge said holding up the letter. “Although I do not think it absolutely fair, I must divide this money. I have to follow the letter of the law. You will split the community property and receive twenty-one thousand dollars. Mr. Pierce since you sold the home and pocketed the proceeds of the sale I expect you will pay Mrs. Pierce twenty-one thousand dollars within the next ninety days.”

  “You can’t do this! How can I live off twenty-one thousand dollars? He has ninety days to give me my money? What am I supposed to do in the mean time? I would like to file a grievance with the state to have Holiday Titus’ nursing license revoked for having sex with my husband while caring for Aunt Emma. She broke the law because of Jax. He owes me more than that your honor,” Colette begged.

  “Have a seat Mrs. Pierce and remain quiet. Any issues you have with this person will have to be addressed in the proper forum, this court is not that forum. It is my great understanding that those in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones. You lived with another man longer than you were married to Mr. Pierce. Your sense of entitlement is shameful and I should fine you twenty-one thousand dollars for your repeated outbursts.”

  Colette’s eyes enlarged to near saucers as she considered paying the high fee. She would be flat broke in a matter of months.

  “I am sorry, your honor,” she murmured.

  “I have issued my ruling. This court is adjourned.”

  “Your honor please,” Colette sobbed. The man exited the courtroom as the bailiff ordered everyone to rise. Colette collapsed on the table sobbing as Jax and Eric left the courtroom. Jax and Eric shared a man hug outside the courtroom. When they separated Jax took a few minutes to process that he was now divorced. He couldn’t believe it had happened.

  “We are going out to celebrate, tonight and tomorrow,” Eric said enthusiastically.

  “How about tomorrow? I still need to decompress and process the ruling. Plus, her things are being moved out right now. I have a locksmith changing the locks right now. I couldn’t have her tearing up my mom’s things in a fit of anger,” Jax added. Before Eric could respond Colette interrupted.

  “You dirty son of a bitch. You will burn in hell for this. Your girlfriend is going to lose her job, better save your money,” Colette yelled outside the courtroom.

  “I was going to make the payment today but I have ninety days. What’s the rush?” Jax asked Eric smiling as they walked to the elevators. Colette glared daggers at him before crying, “How could you do this to me? You have the money to pay me, make the payment Jax.”

  “Not now. I might need it to help out a friend. Plus, I have ninety days starting now. All of your things have been packed and sent to your mother’s house. I had the locks changed while we were in court. The building was notified that you are not allowed access. Should I get a restraining order?” Jax replied thinking out loud.

  “It will take months for them to process my payment if you wait ninety days. Please don’t do this to me,” she cried once more. “How can you be so cruel?”

  Jax turned to look at the woman, he once swore to love. She was a pathetic self-absorbed bitch who would, no doubt, land on her feet.

  “You taught me well,” he answered then entered the elevator. Colette jumped on the elevator too, screaming at Jax and Eric all the way down to the first floor. Both men ignored her anger laced rants.

  “I am going to make sure that bitch pays for your mistake,” she sneered. “I can’t wait until they fire her and take that pathetic license. She will hate you for life Jax. You will be the worst thing to ever happen to her. Unless you give me more money.”

  Jax met Colette’s icy gaze and scoffed, “Anything happens to Holiday, her job, or her license that twenty-one thousand dollars will be tied up in court for years. I will file pathetic grievance after grievance to keep that money locked up in the system. Besides, if she loses her job, I guess I will have to do the chivalrous thing and take care of her. It would only be right since I put her in this predicament. Perhaps she could move in with me and let me support her. You know on second thought your plan might help me out.”

  As they stepped off the elevator Colette tried to deliver a smack to Jax’s face. He narrowly dodged her hand throwing him off balance. Eric was able to catch him before he hit the floor.

  “I hate you,” she screamed. The court security staff were quick to escort Colette from the building. Even with his false bravado, Jax had to hope that Holiday didn’t pay for his freedom.

  Chapter 22

  “Mom this is Tobias,” Holiday introduced. Simone an older version of Holiday extended a hand to the young man. Henry, her husband, followed suit as Holiday introduced him.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you both,” Tobias exclaimed. “Holiday talks of you often.”

  “It’s so nice to meet you as well Tobias,” Simone beamed. She couldn’t stop hitting Holiday on the arm, making her approval obvious. They entered the steakhouse and waited to be seated.

  “Holiday,” a familiar voice called out. Her face flushed and she had difficulty turning around. Her parents and Tobias took in the man approaching waiting for Holiday to explain.

  “Uh, Jax,” Holiday stammered. “What are you doing here?”

  Jax smiled and her knees knocked together. She took a deep breath and tried to maintain her composure. Meanwhile, Jax tried not to focus on the style of her curly hair that left her neck exposed. Brown curls were pulled upward accentuating her neck and shoulders.

  “Hopefully eating a great steak,” he answered honestly. Holiday shook her head feeling stupid. Jax’s hands rested casually in his pants pockets but he was itching to touch her.

  “I am sorry. This is my mom Simone and my dad Henry, and my date Tobias,” she introduced. Jax extended a hand to each person, shaking with a bright smile.

  “This is one of the lawyers in my firm and best friend, Eric Marsh,” he said introducing the blond-haired man to his immediate left. The man looked practically jovial as he gave a polite wave.

  “Are you celebrating,” Jax asked. Holiday beamed, “My program was picked up by another nursing home.”

  Jax extended a huge hug, “That’s great Holiday! Congratulations!”

  “Thank you Jax,” she said with unease. His hug had been incredible and he smelled like heaven. It took everything to prevent her lips from grazing his neck and chin.

  “How do you know my daughter,” Simone interjected. She didn’t like the exchange between these two. There was something familiar between them that she didn’t want interfering with Tobias.

  “Jax’s mother was my patient,” Holiday said with some sadness. “How are you doing by the way?”

  “Holiday and her team took excellent care of my mother. I don’t think I could have gotten through that without her. I am holding up most days,�
�� he said with a hint of sadness.

  “I had to get him out of the house to celebrate his divorce. I know that sounds bad but it has been a long time coming and my best friend has been too nice about it. He is finally a free man,” Eric beamed. “If you will excuse me, we have a large bottle of very expensive champagne chilling.”

  Simone and Henry frowned while Tobias looked on with indifference. Holiday tried to contain the smile threatening to spread. It didn’t change anything between them but at least he was free from Colette.

  “Well, I guess congratulations are in order. I know that has been a difficult process with everything going on with Ms. Emma. I miss her dearly. It’s just not the same without her,” Holiday said honestly.

  “I concur,” he said wistfully. “She is greatly missed.”

  “It was good to see you,” Holiday said as the waiter indicated their table was ready. “Congrats again!”

  Jax leaned in for a platonic hug sending a kiss to her soft hair before offering additional congratulations to Holiday. On shaky legs, she followed the waiter to their table.

  “Well that was interesting. Who celebrates a divorce?” Simone asked, disbelief evident in her voice. Holiday gave a little background on the reason for the celebration.

  “Wow! I guess he should be celebrating,” Tobias said after she offered insight. He gave Holiday’s hand a quick squeeze before they picked up the menus. The conversation was light as they ordered appetizers and drinks.

  “Excuse me,” the waiter said interrupting their perusal of the menu. “The gentlemen at that table wanted to send over this bottle of congratulatory champagne.”

  “Oh! Is everyone okay with that,” Holiday stammered. They all gave nods and she allowed the waiter to pour. When her glass was filled, she held it up to Jax and Eric. They gave nods and returned to their meals.

  “This is amazing,” Simone stated after taking a sip. Henry checked the menu for the bottle and almost fell out of his chair when he saw the price.