Love Conquers All
by: Sailor SwiftHeart
Rated: PG

*Chapter Four: Pulling It Together*

	Ken arrived home only minutes after Cheryl had left.  He had been working
out at the gym.  Lita had been right all along.  It wasn't too late to
start changing his life.  Ever since the day Ken phoned Lita, his life had
been changing for the better.  He decided to give her a call.  They talked
and laughed as if they were old friends.
	"Ken?"  Lita asked, carefully,  "What are you and Cheryl going to do?"
	"I'm stumped, Lita!  I mean, I've tried to offer help but she's refused.
She won't listen to me.  Nothing I do works.  I'm stuck.  I wish I wasn't
married."  Ken said.  The phone was silent.  Lita couldn't say anything.
If she suggested that Ken get a divorce, she would be the cause of it.  She
would be responsible for their break up and she didn't want that on her
shoulders.  Ken had to realize what he wanted for himself.  Lita just
offered words of comfort.  There next phone call, however, was more
significant.
	"Lita?"  Ken asked.
	"Yes?"  Lita answered.
	"I've been thinking.  Would it be inhuman of me to divorce my wife?"  Ken
asked.
	"Not at all, if that's what you feel is the right thing to do."  said Lita.
	"It's just that I'm afraid for Cheryl if I were to go through with it.
She would probably wither away and die.  If that didn't happen, Cheryl
would be all alone.  Who would take care of her?  She relies on me to
survive.  That's the only reason why I'm staying.  What should I do?"  Ken
pleaded.
	"I know someone you can call,"  Lita suggested,  "They specialize in cases
like yours."
	"Oh good!"  Ken said.  He copied down the number that Lita gave him.  He
called as soon as he hung up with Lita.
	"Holland and Cage Legal Agency,"  said the receptionist,  "Can I help you?"
	"Yes.  I'd like to speak to Mr. Holland, please."  Ken said.
	"Please hold."  said the receptionist.  Ken waited while listening to the
elevator music the phone played.  Finally, someone picked up.
	"Thanks for holding, Reece Holland here.  How can I help you?"  he said.
	"Hi,"  said Ken,  "I'm thinking of divorcing my wife."
	"I see."  Mr. Holland said,
	"But... I'm very concerned about how she'll manage on her own after it's
final.  I'm afraid she won't be able to survive on her own.  Can you help
me?"  Ken asked.
	"Yes, I think we could.  You wouldn't have to worry.  It's our policy to
make sure the spouse will be taken care of.  We provide her with money."
Mr. Holland explained.
	"Not a good idea,"  Ken said,  "She'll blow it on drugs and booze."
	"I guess I used the wrong choice of words,"  Mr. Holland said,  "What I
meant was that we give her money for food in the form of vouchers that are
not redeemable for cash."  Mr. Holland told him.  Ken was impressed.  It
made him feel better to hear that.
	"Why don't you come down to my office and we can discuss this some more?"
Mr. Holland suggested.
	"Okay, sure.  When?"  Ken asked.
	"Tomorrow at, let's say two thirty?"  he said.  Ken agreed and they said
goodbye.  He was still a bit concerned about the exact details, but his
mind was put to ease after talking to Mr. Holland.  Ken actually felt happy
for once.  He wouldn't have to put up with Cheryl anymore.  And wouldn't
you know it, Cheryl came home high, AGAIN!  Ken didn't bother saying
anything to her.  Why bother?  It was a waste of time.  Cheryl was in no
state of mind to be talking, anyway.  Cheryl could tell that Ken was
ignoring her, so she yelled and screamed louder.  Ken still ignored her.
He kept his mind on Lita.  If it hadn't been for her, Ken never would have
accomplished so much.  He thought how awful it would have been if he never
called.  He would still be a beer-drinking, blubbering fool.  He never
could have done this without Lita by his side.  He had grown very close to
her.  With Lita's help, he had managed to give up alcohol and he had
started living a healthy, normal life.  His eyes started to sparkle again.
Lita was responsible for that sparkle.

***

	Ken met with Mr. Holland the next day.  His office was very cozy.  He had
certificates and diplomas hanging on the wall.  When Ken entered the
office, Mr. Holland stood up and shook his hand.
	"Hello,"  Mr. Holland said,  "You must be Ken.  Please, come and sit
down."  Ken did so.
	"Have you thought any more about what we talked about?"  Mr. Holland asked.
	"Yes.  Actually, it never really left my mind.  I like the idea that
she'll be taken care of once it's final."  Ken said.
	"That's why we do that.  We want you to feel secure with the decision you
make."  Mr. Holland said, "So what's the verdict?  Are you going to file
for a divorce?"
	"I'm still not sure yet,"  Ken answered with a sigh,  "I haven't decided,
Mr.  Holland."
	"Please call me Reece,"  he said,  "Here. I'll give you some papers to
read."  Reece pulled out a desk drawer and handed Ken a stack of papers.
They were very reassuring to Ken.  It said that they wouldn't tke anything
from the spouse.  They would only divide them among each person evenly.
Ken read it once and then re-read it.
	"Okay.  I'll do it.  I'm filing for a divorce."  Ken stated.
	"All right then,"  Reece said,  "Just fill out these forms.  Make sure you
fill out the reason why you want a divorce.  That is the most important
part.  When I send them away to the Judge, he will read that and make a
decision based on your reason.  There is a chance that your divorce won't
be granted,"  Reece warned,  "But I wouldn't worry about that right now."  
	Ken started filling out the forms.  When it came to the question of why he
wanted a divorce, Ken had to stop.  He had to think about what to write.
He thought about it for a while, then started writing.  He wrote:
	"The reason is very simple.  I fell no love for her and I get no love in
return.  We don't act like husband and wife.  We act like strangers more
than anything.  My wife is a good person underneath all the drugs and
booze.  She is a person in need of help and I am unable to give her that
kind of help.  I have been unhappy for the last 2 years.  I am afraid that
if I stay, things will get worse.  I feel awful for leaving her, but I need
to start living for myself again.  I need to close this chapter in my life
and start anew.  I need to feel loved, just like any other human being on
this planet.  I don't want to go on living with someone who makes me
unhappy.  I think my life means more than that.  I am only now starting to
realize that I am entitled to a lot of happiness.  I don't recall the last
time I laughed.  I want to start smiling and laughing again.  The only way
to accomplish this, is to seperate.  I can't imagine so much freedom."
	Ken had to stop writing, because the page ran out of room.  He looked down
at what he wrote and silently began to sob.  All of what Ken had wrote were
his true feelings and thoughts.  He never really had an opportunity to
express his true feelings.  He bowed his head and let the tears flow.  He
felt Reece's hand on his shoulder.
	"I'm sorry, Ken,"  Reece said,  "I know this must be hard on you."  
	Ken smiled.  Reece handed him a kleenex.  Ken accepted it and let his
tears soak the tissue.  Reece and Ken talked for a while longer before
saying goodbye.
	"Well, I guess everything is all set,"  Reece said.  He took the forms Ken
had filled out and out them in an envelope.  "Are you absolutely sure about
this, Ken?"
	"I am."  Ken replied.  Reece extended his hand out to Ken.
	"I'll call you as soon as I find out anything."  Reece said.  Ken shook
Reece's hand and left the office.  Now he just had to wait.

***
Coming Soon:  Chapter Five
Email SwiftHeart@v-wave.com