"Diane please"
"Tina can you feel this getting boring and redundant?"
"I agree. I think we're done here. Before I forget. This is a restraining order from Diane and her family. You are not to be at least 100 feet near any of her family" Nina stated pushing a file towards the lawyer.
Nina always thought of everything.
"Diane, for the last time I am begging you with anything you hold sacred. You wanna know the reason why I want to be in my son's life?"
"liiiiiii don't really care?" I said in more of a question than a statement.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath "The reason why is because-"
"Just a minute Collins. What ever is said can not leave this room. Can we count on your discretion?"
I shrugged my shoulders. I didn't really care.
"Okay this is a nondisclosure. Please read, sign and date" the lawyer slides us a couple of papers.
That does it. I have had enough. This was crossing the line. I stood up angrily
"Nina. I am ready to leave. I have had enough documents and contracts with the Dwight to last a life time, let's go"
"Good day gentlemen" I greeted them.
"No Diane there is no need. Please sit down. I'll tell you regardless of whether you sign or not"
Nina nodded her head at me and I sat down reluctantly.
"Diane, I am sterile. A couple months ago I was in an accident that rendered me incapable of having children. I can never have kids. You know how I always wanted kids. Please Diane that is why lam so insistent"
There was always an agenda. And here I was almost thinking that he had had a change of heart and wanted to be in my sons lives because he was truly repentant. And here he was using my sons as an ends to a means.
"You have my condolences Mr. Dwight. But that is not my business. And that is not my problem"
"Diane!"
"That is my name" I replied in a playful voice. And judging by the looks I was receiving it was anything but playful.
"Please" he pleaded.
"No. But did you ever hear the phrase a boy doesn't want his old toy till another boy is playing with it? Or the saying that people want what they can't have? Or what about you don't realize how valuable something is till it's gone? You know what they all have in common Collins?" saying his first name for the first time.
"They tell you to appreciate and hold onto people and things but people especially because you never know when you can lose them. You don't want a son to cherish and to hold and to love. No Collins you want a trophy and a verification that you are still a man. You know ever since I met you one thing you made clear was that no one can beat the invincible Collins Dwight. Not man and not fate. So as soon as life plays a card against you you play one right back to prove your invincibility.
And you will do whatever means possible for the game to be in your favor, no matter how many people get hurt and burned along the way. You only, only want a son for what he can do for you. Not because you genuinely love him. I'm sorry but I won't put my son through that. I wouldn't put my worse enemy through that"
"No, Diane you've got it all wrong. You know how much I always wanted kids" he cried.
"Quite frankly whatever you told me ten years ago I take it with a pinch of salt"
"No. You don't mean that"
"Even I know that you know that I do. I think we're done here" standing up hopefully for the last time.
"Diane think about our son. Think about you denying him a father" standing up to try and get through to me for the last
time.
"Well the good news is, I don't have to think. Because there is no our. You and I don't have a child together. We never did and we never shall. Now I think I have overstayed my welcome.
Goodbye gentlemen and if I ever see any of you again it will be too soon"
And with that I grabbed my purse and strolled out of the room. I could faintly hear Nina remind them of the restraining order and she walked fast to catch up with me.
Once in the elevator I pressed the button for the ground floor. "That went well" Nina said breaking the silence, still staring straight ahead.
"Yes I suppose so" not take my eyes from the steel doors.
"You know they won't give up right?"
I smiled to myself "I would expect nothing less"
Finally the doors opened and Nina in a typical fashion whipped out her Gucci sunglasses and slid them on as we walked out
"We'll be ready waiting for them, honey" and together we walked to the awaiting vehicle.