Divorced! Now what?
Chapter 102

Bob

POV

Just as my day was ending, Pam came to my office. She was beautiful and kind. More than once since we had met, during these cases, she had been there for me when I was falling to pieces because of Bethany and what she had gone through. Pam and I had dinner at her place, and we talked late into the night. She helped me through some rough patches there. We have not yet stepped into a relationship, but if she is willing, we could look at something soon. I had needs, and she would have been interested if I had read the hints correctly.

'Hi Pam, what brings you to my office?' I asked, keeping this safe office etiquette. I do not need to be the talk of the office. 'I assumed that you already knew of the arrests.' I nodded at her and waited for what she had to say.

'Would you like company when you go to tell Bethany?' She blushed when she said this; I took that as another hint. Would I like her company? I think she had tried to replace a few ways to spend time with me, and, at first, I was too blind to see it. I was still reeling from what Wendy had done, and I had been out of the dating game for a long time and had forgotten to look for cues.

'That would be great. I am sure she will have questions, and you will answer them. I am about to go to her now. Would you like to join me?' I was curious to know if she would like to share my car or follow me. When I went to her place for dinner, I found that she was actually in the same building as me. I was pleasantly surprised.

'Sure, can you drive?' Perfect. That is all I needed to start thinking about how we could spend time together for dinner. I may be out of practice, but I am enjoying learning all over again. I cannot remember ever feeling this excited in years. I had lost love for Wendy a long time ago, and I had not really enjoyed going out for dinner. Sports day and time with Bethany were the only times I was with a woman outside work-related issues.

I logged out of my computer and put the paperwork away, leaving my desk clean and tidy. I was never one for leaving a mess. I opened the door for Pam to climb in. Dad taught me to be a gentleman when it came to women, even Wendy. I would still open the door, though she would often beat me to the door and climb in before I could open it for her. Wendy slowly took away all my joy in life until sports became my only outlet. I was fortunate that Bethany loved it, too. I wondered if Pam would enjoy a sports day. We still needed to cover that. We need an actual date and to talk some more or another night, and I can cook for her. I can show off the few dishes I can cook.

Scooting around the car and into the driver's seat, I was acting like a school kid again, and I was actually enjoying it for a change. The traffic was all right, and I found a parking spot near the hospital entrance. Pam looked at me as if she was asking something, but I was not sure what. I climbed out and went around the side to open her door, and she looked pleased; maybe that was what she was trying to ask. Does she wait for me or climb out? I guess it will depend on the situation, but I like opening car doors, buying flowers, and the little things for women that were killed off years ago. I am hoping Pam loves sports and likes flowers and the little things I used to enjoy doing. I am so ready to start a new life. After my long drought, this woman is the first woman that I have found to be interesting, even the opportunity to cheat on my wife. I had not done so, and believe me, when I said I was tempted a few times, I could not let myself fall to her level. We entered the side entrance, using my swipe card to gain entrance. I opened the door and let Pam in first, and my hand dropped to her lower back as an instinct long forgotten took over. She took the lead like I wanted her to and headed to Bethany's wing. The nurses looked at us as we walked by, but the staff were used to seeing my face around here and knew I was Bethany's Dad. They smiled and nodded at me. As I walked by, I did the same.

Bethany was in her lab working. She was using her walker, but not as much now. The work Theo had been doing with massage and stretching was working well. Hank had said that her headaches were fewer and her neck was getting stronger; still, there was a little bit to go for the muscles to stop being sore, but on the whole, I am happy with her progression. Theo said she had put a shirt over her head now, which was real progress in my eyes. The poor lass took a brutal beating. I am told her cheek is healed. It had been two months now, and I am sad it took this long to get those arrested, but we had to wait for Bethany to wake up, start to remember what went on, and finish getting the evidence. It all takes time, and that is one of the hardest parts of the job. The evidence needs to be sound.

'Hi, Bethany!' I called out as I entered her room. She turned around with a huge smile.

'Hey, Dad, Pam, do you want a coffee? I have some cream cakes, too. If they are her homemade cakes, I am in.

Afterward, I hugged and kissed her. Pam did the same. I saw Bethany frown at Pam's familiarity but did not question it. She looked at me for a moment and smiled at herself. I caught it, though, and knew she had figured out my intentions or hopes to pursue it and would most likely get quizzed on it later. My girl never misses much, that is for sure. Bethany made coffee and brought cake and coffee to the table. She was humming to herself like she normally does in her own kitchen, so I was taking this as a good sign she was on the mend, and no huge damage was done by the trauma she had been through.

'So, Dad, what is the visit? You look like you have something to say, and I might or might not like it.' Yep, that is my girl. She can read me like a book. I can never hide things from her. That might have been why I stayed at work as much as I did in the early years when I caught Wendy being unfaithful. I was afraid Bethany would pick up on it.

'Pam?' I asked her to talk about the arrests. She was part of it, not me.

'Sweetie, we arrested Wendy, Cynthia, and a few others last night, and at the moment, none of them have managed to get bail. The judge used to read our reports and denied bail and will stay in jail until court. I am afraid you will need to be there in court as the victim of the case. Do you think you can cope with being in court and seeing them while each person is on trial? It could take some time to see each case! She held Bethany's hand as she spoke and seemed to be genuinely concerned for her. That melted my heart a little, and the walls I had been building since Wendy's betrayal started to crumble.

'I am not sure. I can go and see how I handle it, but if it is too much, will the judge let me out of there? I think it is going to be hard to see those who hurt me.' Bethany sounded like she was going to cry. This was going to be another hard step for her to take, but we were all here for her.

'Sweetie, the judge will understand and make some allowances, but if you could stay in court, it would be better for our case. Pam was trying hard, but it was Bethany's choice in the end. Not all people can sit in front of their abuser and not fall apart. We ate cake and chatted about Sunday sports day, and to my surprise, Pam was a supporter of the same team, and Bethany invited her to join us. That saved me from having to try and replace the courage to invite her. Pam jumped at the chance. It looked like these two could get along, and that was all I needed to do to see how we would go in a relationship.

If this woman gets along with Bethany after Sunday, I will try and woo her. I will not bring another woman into Bethany's life that would cause her any more pain than she has already had. Bethany never judges anyone, and that is why she is taken advantage of. I am hoping what she has just been through has not changed her and made her jaded and wary. I doubt it because it is not in her nature, but trauma of this kind can affect someone and change them.