THE DIVORCE PAPERS
The room is quiet.
Bethany sits alone on the couch, sorting through a small pile of mail. Her expression is tired, but calm.
She reaches for the final envelope.
There is no return address.
Bethany slowly opens it.
Her eyes move across the first page.
She freezes.
Her breathing becomes shallow.
The words on the document suddenly seem impossible to understand.
She looks at the page again.
Her hands tremble slightly.
She turns the page.
The name Larry is clearly printed on the document.
Bethany stares at it in disbelief.
For a few seconds, she says nothing.
Then she slowly sits back.
She looks toward the empty room as if Larry might suddenly walk through the door and explain everything.
But the house remains silent.
Bethany wipes away a tear and picks up her phone.
She takes several pictures of the divorce papers.
Her fingers hesitate over the screen.
She opens her messages.
The contact at the top reads:
MR. NEW BURGER
Bethany sends the pictures.
A moment later, the message shows as delivered.
She waits.
Nothing.
Bethany places the phone beside her.
Then it rings.
She looks at the screen.
Mr. New Burger.
Her expression immediately changes.
She answers.
There is a short silence.
Then Mr. New Burger’s voice comes through.
His tone sounds amused.
Bethany sits upright.
Mr. New Burger lets out a small laugh.
Bethany looks down at the divorce papers.
Her face becomes more serious.
Mr. New Burger pauses.
Then his voice becomes teasing.
Bethany doesn’t respond.
Bethany’s eyes narrow.
Mr. New Burger laughs again.
Bethany grips the phone tightly.
There is another pause.
Bethany’s face falls.
The comment hits her harder than she expected.
She looks away from the papers.
Bethany slowly stands.
Her eyes remain fixed on the divorce papers.
Bethany’s voice becomes emotional.
Bethany closes her eyes.
She takes a deep breath.
His tone becomes colder.
Bethany doesn’t answer.
Bethany walks toward the window.
Outside, cars pass along the street.
Her reflection stares back at her.
She looks exhausted.
Mr. New Burger remains quiet.
Her voice cracks.
Mr. New Burger sighs.
For the first time, his voice loses some of its teasing attitude.
She interrupts him.
She wipes her eyes.
She turns away from the window.
She looks at the papers again.
Silence.
Mr. New Burger doesn’t immediately answer.
Bethany’s phone remains pressed against her ear.
Bethany shakes her head.
Her voice becomes firmer.
Mr. New Burger leans back wherever he is, listening.
Bethany says nothing.
Bethany looks down.
For a moment, she doesn’t know what to say.
Mr. New Burger gives a quiet laugh.
Bethany’s expression hardens.
A beat.
Bethany slowly sits down.
She places the divorce papers on the table.
His voice becomes serious.
Bethany looks at the papers.
Those words sink in.
She takes a long breath.
Mr. New Burger doesn’t respond.
Bethany looks at the divorce papers one last time.
Her shock is slowly turning into determination.
Bethany picks up the papers.
She carefully places them back inside the envelope.
Her hands are steadier now.
Bethany nods, even though he can’t see her.
She looks toward the front door.
Mr. New Burger becomes quiet.
Bethany continues.
She hangs up.
The room becomes silent again.
Bethany places her phone on the table.
She looks at the envelope.
Then she looks toward the door.
Her expression is no longer only hurt.
It is determined.
She picks up her coat.
Before leaving, she stops for one final moment.
She walks out.
The camera remains on the table.
The divorce papers sit inside the envelope.
The room slowly fades into silence.