For the Dream of 5 Years: Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Mediators

"We are starting this meeting at the request of our daughter, Michelle Kagiri, and our son, Dave Oluoch. You two have decided to reach out to us for guidance and counselling during this time your marriage is going through a bumpy ride," said the pastor. "With all due respect, Pastor, this request was from one party, Michelle. She is the one that invited you without my knowledge," Dave interrupted. "My apologies, my son, but when your wife reaches out to us and tells us that she needs to be returned to her house because you chased her away, like her spiritual parents, it's our duty to take care of her need," the pastor clarified. "What has she told you about me? I feel like I have been ambushed and haven't been given a fair platform to tell my side too," Dave said. "We are about to hear, she just called us, and we've met with her at the mall. This is a discussion we want to have together," the pastor said. "Can I have a minute with my wife? Michelle darling," he signalled Michelle to the bedroom. "What is this you are doing? Do you want us to hang our dirty laundry in front of our pastor and his wife?" He asked in a whisper, leaning so close to Michelle's face. "There's nothing they don't know. Everybody knows about Shanice and Dickson. The Bible says that only adultery or death leads to divorce. You were adulterous, and I need to have that resolved once and for all," she said, moving away from him. "It is me. Dave. I am your husband. Why are you behaving like you don't know me? Plus, how can you bring a pastor in our house, in our issues, just to expose us more than Shanice?" He asked. "Seriously? I am the bad person now, right? The one to expose us?" She asked. "I made a mistake," he said. "So what? You automatically qualify for a second chance?" She asked, still whispering. "Shanice is married now," he said. "Oh, my goodness, so what if she is married?" She asked. "She can't interfere with us any longer, that's what," he said. "Can you hear yourself right now?" She asked. "Michelle, I made a mistake, just like you did. You think I didn't see a small boy bring you home the other night?" He asked. "Am I pregnant for him?" She asked. "I should be madder than I am right now. You have cheated on me out of spite. I cheated on you, you know, it was a long time ago; I don't even remember why. But I did not disrespect you the way you have. Now everybody is laughing at me. But look at my attitude; I'm so calm because I want to mend our issues. I want this family to stand," he said. "I cheated on you because I needed to feel alive again, or better yet, for revenge. You cheated on me because you found me stupid and then proposed immediately. We are both wrong, and this marriage should be dissolved," she said. "How does someone else getting into your pants affect me? What kind of revenge is that? Someone else used you, and you think you hurt me? Think again!" he said. "That man you say used me is not just a boy; he is strong. Can you even give me oral carrying me on your shoulders, in...?" She wanted to go on before Dave cut her short. "Grow up, Mama Mike! Listen to yourself. So disgusting," he said. "See? I told you it was for revenge. Can we proceed with the divorce now?" she asked, giggling and provoking Dave even further. "Is that what you want, Michelle? I am tired of hearing about divorce all the time. I haven't maltreated you, I haven't repeated my mistake, and I don't intend to hurt you. We have children but don't push me; I might as well give you this divorce. It seems I am the only person who wants to stay in this marriage," he said. "Yes, give me the divorce! The last time I wanted the divorce, you stopped me, and I felt trapped, with a baby on the way," she said. "Okay, divorce it is. But we are going to stay one-year separated first," he said. "That is nonsense; I will not entertain that idea again. I already did my one-year, years ago; I hope that one counts," she said. "We return to the living room, putting on a happy face. We will let the pastor know we have decided to dissolve this marriage amicably," he said. They walked together, hand in hand, and sat opposite the pastor and his wife. There was an awkward silence as the pastor waited for one of them to speak. "We are going for a divorce, Pastor. We have made that decision, and we don't see the need to have this meeting," Dave said. "Well, that is a step. At least you know divorce is one solution to your problems. Without meddling, I would like to know what is ailing this marriage. I know from unreliable social media sources that Dave has a child out of wedlock, right?" The pastor asked. "Yes, he cheated on me," Michelle said. "Then what happened, because that was some time back when the video came out?" The pastor enquired. "I asked for a divorce, but he refused," she said. "You went ahead and cheated on me with a younger boy. You haven't been home for three days now, you have been with another man, a young boy, and I know about it. My friends know about it, and everyone in the world knows about it. You have neglected your children. What kind of a mother are you? A bisexual in sheep's clothing, pretending Stacy is just a friend. Most of our problems began when Stacy came into the picture. I should have listened when they warned me about your type. You have neglected your husband. You are a despicable woman; I should have divorced you a long time ago if I knew you were this vengeful," he wanted to say, but he wanted to protect the woman of his youth, the mother of his children. So, he covered her naked body instead of parading her to their guests. "I don't want to divorce my wife. For heaven's sake, we have children. However, I don't want to get back just casually like we did some time back because it did not work. I would request her to please agree to seek professional help. A marriage counsellor, maybe. If you could convince her for me, I would appreciate it," he said. "I recommend you start attending the church guidance counselling; this would greatly help your marriage. Furthermore, it would save you money because it is free," said the pastor's wife. "I am open for a professional marriage counsellor, someone completely new and one that doesn't know us. I am not comfortable airing my dirty linen again to someone who knows me. I am doing this only because Michelle is the most important person to me, and I don't want to lose her," he said, not to sound resistant to the church counselling idea. He knew after the sessions were over, the details of their marriage problems would find their way to the church members, then to the city, and eventually, everybody in the country would know, further narrowing their chances of getting back together. "If you say so. What do you think, Michelle?" The pastor asked. "I think I can try that. However, in the meantime, until we can reconcile, I will need him to move out, or I will," said Michelle. Dave stood up and held his head. He did not want Michelle to be away. He wanted them to work things out together, step by step, and live under the same roof while they healed. "Dave, sit down and listen to what your wife needs to try and see this marriage work. It is healthy for a couple to have a break when their disagreements have reached unmanageable levels. I am pleased about how smooth this is going. Now, who is moving out?" The pastor asked. "I will leave. I will rent a small house in the neighbourhood to see the children now and then. It is only fair if Michelle stays because I am the one that wronged her. Additionally, the children will need to see their mother every day," he said, looking at Michelle and sitting by her side. "Is that okay with you, Michelle?" The pastor's wife asked. "Yes, Madam, I would also like to mention that I did away with the Jeep, and I don't want it to be a topic of discussion in our recovery journey. I don't want anything to do with the Jeep, and I don't want to be questioned about it," Michelle said. "What the hell? What did you do with the Jeep, Michelle? That was an expensive gift! That was not a bicycle or a dress to be 'done away with' because your partner cheated! Oh, my goodness, Michelle!" Said Dave, jumping from the seat and pacing back and forth in the room. "When you cheated the first time, you decided to give me a ring. I have decided to try keeping it. Later, you cheated again and gave me a Jeep. I don't want to hear about the Jeep or be asked what I did with it. It simply doesn't exist," she said. "No, tell me what you did with the Jeep. That was my hard-earned money! I spent nights and days trying to trade and make that money," He said. "I dismantled it and sold the parts. I gave the money to charity. I don't want to be bribed again for your sins. You mess up, you clean up, period," she said. She could not believe herself for such a brilliant idea that would ultimately get Dan out of the picture. The Jeep was the only link between Dan and her and the Range at Stacy's house. Before Dan came looking for it, she would find a way of returning the Range and taking them a million steps back. "I cannot believe you did something like that. I know you, Michelle," Dave said. "Really? You don't know a thing about me, do you know...," she said before Dave interrupted. "No point of enlightening me, marriage counsellor it is," he said. He did not want Michelle to rant about how she cheated on him. It was better he speculated about the details than hear her elaborate. At least not in the presence of their guests. He did not also want the pastors to get wind of it. After a lengthy talk between the Daves and the pastors, they agreed they would start their counselling session as soon as possible. They sourced the best counsellor and started their sessions the following week. As Michelle had instructed, Stacy returned the Range to the garage and left the letter on the driver's seat. Dave moved out and rented a one-bedroom house in the neighbourhood. The children returned, and Michelle sought another job at a different university. She was hired almost immediately. She went back to her volunteer work of teaching young children ballet dance. Bianca was in the class too, bonding even more with her mom.