Page 14 of Resisting the Fall

“Mr. Walker,” she said, standing to shake his hand. “You’re the last person I expected to see today.” Her gaze shifted to me, and the ball in the pit of my stomach tightened. “Besides Miss Price.”

Just because this woman held my fate in her hands didn’t mean I had to regress into the fifteen-year-old girl who had once taken a harsh scolding from her. Gathering my confidence, I reached out for a handshake. “Thank you for meeting with us on such short notice, Your Honor.”

Ben quirked an eyebrow at me. Perhaps my tone had come out like I was trying too hard. Better that than appearing apathetic.

“Please have a seat and tell me what brings you two here today.” Judge Rost gestured to the chairs across from her, tucking her coarse, shoulder-length, graying hair behind her ear. It freed itself immediately.

I slid the file of our dismissed divorce case onto the desk, glad I had thought to grab a folder at my mom’s house to tuck it into. “Yesterday morning, I went to the New York City courthouse to get a copy of our official divorce decree, only to discover that we neglected to submit the Judgment of Divorce to the clerk for recording, so our case was dismissed.”

She opened the folder, her gaze scanning the first page.

“Which is why we’re here,” I continued. “The woman I spoke with at the Records Office in New York said it would take months to have the case reopened, but that if we filed here in Vermont, which we just did, and met with a judge⁠—”

Her gaze lifted to mine. “That I might finalize the divorce?”

I nodded, my chest rising in anticipation.

“Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. You see, when a case is dismissed, it has no legal standing. A judge can consider a previously dismissed case for context, but we cannot make a ruling based upon it, especially one from another jurisdiction. Which means, though it might not take as long as filing a Motion to Vacate Administrative Dismissal in New York, filing here in Vermont starts the entire process over.”

My mouth went dry. “So, there’s nothing you can do to expedite the process?”

She considered me. “I wouldn’t say there’s nothing I can do.”

I leaned forward, situating myself on the edge of the seat. “However you can help, we would be so grateful.”

“Being that I know you both personally and that I’m aware you have been living apart for…” Judge Rost’s eyes returned to the files. Her eyebrows lifted. “Has it really been over six years?”

I nodded.

“Wow.” She lowered her hands to her desk, shaking her head. “It seems like just last year you two were in high school, stealing my chickens for a senior prank.”

Ben and I shared a glance, condemning us further.

“Don’t worry,” Judge Rost said. “The statute of limitations on that matter has long since passed. Besides, it appears you have both grown into mature, law-abiding citizens.” Her brows rose, and she glanced between us. “Correct?”

“Correct.” I glanced again at Ben to ensure he was making some sort of nonverbal confirmation. Thankfully, he was nodding his head.

“Well, then.” She glanced back at the file. “Let’s figure out what we can do about your predicament. In Vermont, the time frame to have an uncontested divorce granted is typically ninety to one hundred twenty days, though it can take longer. However, considering the situation, I’d allow your final hearing to be scheduled after thirty days if you will complete a good faith reconciliation effort.”

“Oh, we won’t be reconciling.” There wasn’t an ounce of doubt in my voice. Hopefully, Option C was better than A or B.

“The point of this would not be to reconcile but to verify quickly and efficiently that a reconciliation isn’t possible and the Court can, also in good faith, issue the divorce.”

“Considering she’s engaged, that might not be the best route,” Ben said.

Judge Rost’s eyes locked on me. “You’re engaged?”

Was it a crime to lie to a Superior Court Judge? “I…” I cleared my throat. Shoot. I could feel Ben’s gaze shift to my profile. “It’s complicated.”

“Please.” She gestured for me to speak. “Enlighten me.”

I dropped my left hand by my side, not wanting Judge Rost to catch sight of my ring. She would instantly know it was a fake. “Well, my longtime boyfriend—Colin—proposed in July.”

“And you said… yes?”

I gave a slow, uncommitted movement of my head.

Judge Rost was clearly unimpressed with my offering. “Are you or are you not engaged, Miss Price?”