Love-in-Idleness by Christina Bell Page A

runway. “What the hell is this?” she demanded, waving a manila envelope in the air. Miles recognized the return address as that of his attorney.
                         “Good evening, darling,” he taunted. “Did you not realize that we were getting a divorce?” He walked to the bar and pulled a bottle of scotch off the shelf. “Just because you refuse to vacate the premises does not mean that we are reconciled.”
                         Titania opened the envelope and removed the document it carried. “Mr. Oberon will retain full custody of the minor child, India Oberon,” she read, her voice trembling with hostility. She slapped the papers back onto his desk. “You will not take my child from me.”
                         “Are you sure? I’m pretty sure that what you just read said ‘full custody.’” He reached into the top drawer of the desk and pulled out a leather checkbook case. “Tell me, how much will it take to settle this? Forget the lawyers.  Give me a number.”
                         In a flash, Titania reached across his desk, snatched up the checkbook and threw it at the wall behind him. The pages fluttered as it flipped through the air before it hit the wall with a thud and dropped to the floor.  “I don’t want it settled, you idiot. I don’t even know why you’re divorcing me.”
    Miles took a drink of his scotch and smiled quietly. How long had it been since he and Titania slept together? Did that stop on the day he decided to get rid of her? He couldn’t remember. He actually missed her, but his mind was made up.
                         “Miles, this is not good for anyone. Our son is confused, and you’re trying to buy him from me like a piece of livestock.”
                         “You could always move out.”
                         “My lawyer has advised against it.” Titania stood her ground.
                         “So you plan to live here indefinitely?” he asked.             
                         “I don’t think you really want me to leave. This is all too sudden. There is more to this than you’re admitting.”
                         “So,” he asked again, “how long do you plan to stay?”
             Titania smiled and crossed around the side of the desk to his chair. She perched herself on the edge, so that she leaned in toward him, her hair draped across his chest as her lips came close to his without actually touching.  “I’m going to stay until after Theo’s wedding. When you’re ready to tell me what’s really going on, we can talk about how to save this marriage. If you decide to continue with this divorce, I will take your son to the far reaches of the Earth, and you’ll never find us. Remember, my people have money, too.” As she stood, she intentionally paused long enough to let him get a good look down her dress. He could feel his hand instinctually reach out for her, but he stopped himself.
    Titania opened the door to leave, revealing Puck, who was standing outside the door with one hand raised as if it were poised to knock.
                  “Puck! Come in, close the door behind you.” Miles stood to greet his son, despite the fact that he had just seen him an hour ago at Theo’s dinner table. As Titania left, Miles took a moment to enjoy the sight of her walking away. When she was gone, Puck closed the door.
                         Puck headed straight for the bar. “How is it possible,” he asked, pouring himself a scotch without even looking up at his father, “that a girl I’ve been able to influence many times could suddenly resist me tonight?”
           “Who? Ana?” Miles held his glass toward Puck for a refill. As Puck slid a portion of the amber liquid into his father’s glass,