W stopped by my office with a check from our prior mortgage company. I explained why the check was already 'spent' as it consisted of escrowed property tax and mortgage insurance, due in the upcoming Fall, as well as my final payment. She signed it over. In the recent past, W would have insisted on pocketing her half, leaving me to cover things. This was a very nice positive. A bit of trust?
She had left a phone message earlier, sounding tired and shaken. I really felt for her, hearing her that way. She explained in a second call that the mediator called her, asking for his check and telling her that our D hearing was this morning. Said she was scrambling around, trying to get her final exams covered, then the A called her back and noted that she was correct - it is on for Monday 5/2. We joined together in our sense that the A is trying to wring more money from us and agreed to file some things regarding the house ourselves. It took W several stammers to get beyond calling the D "it" and to say 'divorce.' This is not easy for her.
She seems to be sniffing around to see if I'll be a genuine friend. Time and patience!
Had a great PMA evening last night. Went to a graduation banquet and had grad students send WOA after WOA my way. Was treated like a prince by the class and their families. Received a nicely framed photo of the group as their goodbye gift. I got up and spoke from the heart briefly about each student as a gift back to each, to personalize things a bit for them. I remember thinking that if W were present, I'd be anxious about her jealousy over my various interactions with the students, as about 90% are female. It was nice to be free from that, and to merely be a faculty member celebrating the graduation of his class. I hope that she grows to a level where we can celebrate that kind of thing together. I'll remember your advice in that regard, Anne and Jo.
Plans for tonight: I'm manning the concession stand, grilling hotdogs and hamburgers, selling sodas, for the crowd at S5's TBall game.
