Here's how the "car swap" went down: Her: Are you going to the gym this morning? Me: Yep Her: I cleared my stuff out of your car, so you can take it Me: I think I'm gonna drive the Buick Her: Are you coming home after the gym? Me: No. I'm gonna drive the Buick from now on. I like driving it. Her: Uh-uh. No way. My company pays me a monthly car stipend for that car. I'm not driving that van. You want me driving the van all over? It's got 180,000 miles on it. Me: The decision's been made. Make sure you take the snack to school with #3. It's her day to bring in the snack to daycare. I'm leaving. Her: OK, well, I'm not gonna pay for the monthly loan payment. You aren't getting any money from me for that. Me: Why was it "our car" as long as you were driving it? But now, you refuse to help pay for it? Her: It doesn't matter. I'm not going to help you make the payments. Me: Oh, you'll help make the payments. I'm not concerned about that Her: How you gonna get the money? Me: I'm not worried about it. You'll help. Her: <<expletive>> I just got the oil changed. Her: I need to go through the car. Where is the key? Me: Upstairs.
That was the end. She was mad, but less mad than I expected. So the car is mine. Regarding the money, I need only keep track of the money that she would owe for the car payment, and it will come out of her share when we get a divorce.
She ended up rifling through the car. Of course, it was devoid of anything that is hers.
So she will never drive the car again, as she is not paying for it. The ship has sailed.
I headed for the gym smiling. I ran for an hour on the treadmill and cranked on the weight machines. I feel empowered. Did it drive her farther away from me? Probably. Am I concerned?
