She didn’t realize that I had put a bomb with a three-year fuse in the divorce papers. When I noticed the 100th missed call from her on my phone three years later, I knew the fuse had run out.
The first thing that happened on the show was that an energy company sent a $5 million bill. It was a lovely spring afternoon right after the graduation ceremony at Harrison University. I stood in the parking lot, my work clothes still dirty from fixing a hydraulic press that morning.
I was about to go home and change into clean clothes, but Naomi texted me and said she had something important to do and needed me to come right immediately. I knew something was awry as soon as I saw her. She stood next to a white BMW that wasn’t ours. She was wearing a nice new black suit and had her long hair groomed precisely. A man in his 40s with a slick look and a gold watch that shone in the sun stood next to her.
I could smell his cologne from across the parking lot, which made my nose itch. Garrett Naomi started off rather bluntly, with a chilly smile that I had never seen before. Tristan Wilson is the Vice President of Citylight Real Estate. Also, the person I will marry. Tristan nodded in greeting like a monarch would to a beggar, with an air of superiority. A lot of people have told me about you, Garrett. Naomi has told me a lot. He sounded quite sarcastic. And this Naomi took a stack of papers out of her crocodile skin purse and threw them on the bonnet of my truck.
Is our divorce final? I have already signed it. It’s your time now. I looked at the papers and then back at her. Why? Don’t act stupid, Garrett. She rolled her eyes like she was expressing something that was clear. First, look at yourself, then look at me. I now have a degree and will soon be the sales manager at Citylight. And what about you? A garbage collector drives this vehicle that could break down at any time and lives in that smelly recycling yard. Things have changed between us.
Tristan laughed next to her, his hand on Naomi’s waist with a possessive and smug look that made my stomach turn. I looked at Naomi without saying anything. I gave up everything to marry this woman. She paid for her college education with every dime she made from my broken-down truck. That stinky recycling yard had been her home for four years. But I didn’t say anything. I cautiously took a clean cloth out of my pocket, cleaned my hands, and picked up the agreement.
Do you need to think about this? Tristan interrupted, his voice clearly sarcastic. That recycling yard is at the fringe of the city’s new planning area. It will soon be very valuable land. Signing now is like giving away a gold mine. Tristan. Naomi stared at him, making it apparent that she didn’t want him to say too much. I almost laughed out loud. A mine of gold. Did they think I was stupid? They didn’t know what was under this gold mine. A time bomb that might destroy all their hopes.
“It’s okay, Naomi,” I said in a calm voice that didn’t show any emotion. “I was never excellent at running a business. Keep the land. Tristan smiled like Victor and said, “I just want my truck and tools.” He could already picture tall buildings on that piece of land. Good pick, Garrett. Some people are meant to do great things, while others are just good for hard, dirty work. I signed every page with the pin Naomi gave me, even though he was trying to get me to do anything. On the penultimate page, I saw the paragraph that my lawyer had included in legal language about possible easement conflicts and environmental cleanup responsibilities for unidentified historical third-party subsurface facilities that are under plot 734 B.
The transfer takes on all responsibility. Naomi apparently didn’t pay close attention to this part. She believed that was just normal legalese talking about possible environmental problems that could come up because of my nasty business. I signed the last name and gave the papers back to her. Good luck, Naomi. Tristan wrapped his arm around Naomi’s waist and looked at her with greedy eyes. Don’t worry, Garrett. I’ll look after her well. Maybe one day you’ll see our mansion built directly on your property. I’m looking forward to it. I nodded and got into my old pickup.
The exhaust pipe belched black smoke and the engine coughed a few times before coming to life. I could see Naomi and Tristan laughing in the back view mirror, like they were standing over my dead body. They believed this was the end, but it was just the beginning of a carefully planned retaliation. A week before, as I was putting a new oil filter in Naomi’s car, I found out that her dash cam’s memory card was full.
I was going to clear it, but I heard her and Tristan talking during the preview. Are you sure that land is worth something, Tristan? Naomi’s voice was full with desire. “Baby, trust me,” Tristan said with confidence. “The city planning has been given the go light. In the next six months, property values in that area will at least triple. Your dumb hubby doesn’t even know he’s sitting on a gold mine. He just knows how to collect trash. “Doesn’t understand land appreciation at all.” “Shu, don’t call him that,” Naomi laughed.
He is a moron who is always smeared in grease and comes home to lie on the couch and watch sports. I genuinely don’t know why I said yes to him. Because you didn’t think things through back then. Tristan laughed in a dirty way. But now that you have me, things are better. We can buy a big house in the Lake District right away when we sell that land. Then you’ll be a real affluent lady. Naomi answered with a sly smile, “You need to get rid of your wife first.”
Don’t worry, the papers for the divorce are ready. My girlfriend is greedy. She’ll agree to anything if you give her enough money. Tristan said with confidence. I’m more worried about your husband than she is. He appears honest, although people from the country can often be hard to deal with. Take it easy. He’s merely a mindless worker. He’ll be happy as long as he has his vehicle and tools. I know him. You don’t think he’s as smart as he is. They made fun of my clothes, my work, and even how I talked without holding back.
Then there were more plans. How to take advantage of my honesty and stupidity. How to quickly flip the land after the divorce for a lot more money. I didn’t become angry or have an emotional breakdown after hearing this recording. Years of serving in the military and working hard thereafter taught me how to keep my emotions under check. I just duplicated the memory card and drove right to Ray’s detective agency. Ray’s detective agency was on the second level of a building in the city’s busiest business area.
The neon sign at the door was half-broken, and the letters that were still there flickered on and off. The world of truth. Ray was a friend of mine from the Marines. We had been through firing in Iraq together and had a camaraderie that was greater than brotherhood. After he retired, he opened this detective service using the reconnaissance abilities he obtained in the military. That Ray hit the table hard after hearing the recording. Hey, let’s go break that lovely boy’s legs right now, brother. I know some individuals who can make sure he will be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
No, I answered quietly, my eyes set on them. I w
ant them to pay a lot more. Not just agony, but whole annihilation. Everything they care about: their career, their reputation, their money. Ray looked at me for a few seconds, then nodded. Garrett, you’ve changed. You used to have a soft heart. People do change, especially when they are hurt by people they trust. I smiled sadly. You need to look into a couple things for me. First, Tristan Wilson’s history, his business, his money problems, and his shortcomings. Second, information about the city’s new district planning, notably how much my land will be worth in the future.
Understood. Ray pulled out a notebook and began to write. Anything else? Suggest a lawyer who doesn’t do things the usual way. Not someone who wears a suit and is part of the elite, but someone who knows how to fight in the murky regions of the law. Ry smiled with a sly look. I know the perfect person for the job: Felix Jennings, who goes by the name Diamond Hole because he can drill through any contract, no matter how tight it is. Ray and his crew started a full investigation of Tristan and Citylight Real Estate over the next three days.
The outcomes were good. Tristan’s business looked good on the outside, but it was really in a lot of debt. They really needed this new initiative to get investors and funding from banks. Tristan was also in a nasty divorce dispute and was trying to hide his relationship with Naomi so he wouldn’t have to pay additional alimony. But this wasn’t enough. I wanted a better trump card, a weapon that would kill. I informed Rey that this information is helpful, but not enough to utterly destroy them.
I need something that will kill more people. Why not start with the land? Ry proposed. There is a tale behind every piece of land. There could be a secret hidden in your plot. This hint was like a flash of lightning in the dark, showing me the way. I went straight to the county land archives office early the next morning. There were yellow sketches and thick archive books all over the dusty basement. I spent the whole day there and finally found an astounding secret on a land survey map from the 1960s.
There used to be two oil pipes under my recycling yard. They belonged to Continental Oil, one of the biggest oil firms in the US. Even though these pipelines had been empty for years, the law said that the ownership and obligations for the subsurface infrastructure had never been properly passed on. This was the gun I needed. That afternoon, I called Felix Jennings, the lawyer Ry had suggested. He worked in a converted warehouse with Hawaiian landscape images and other bizarre legal papers hanging on the walls.
The man himself was even more surprising. He had a big gray beard and was wearing a bright Hawaiian shirt, which made him look more like a retired surf instructor than a lawyer. Ray informed me what was going on with you. Felix got right to the point, and his voice was rough. Revenge, huh? I really like these cases. What do you want those two cheaters to pay? I said quickly, “Everything.” Okay. Okay. He rubbed his hands together and his eyes sparkled with eagerness. Ray asked, “Did you find something interesting?””I laid out the things I had found in the land archives office in front of him.
Felix put on his reading glasses and looked closely at the old sketches and papers. These pipelines do exist, but they haven’t been used in decades. Felix thought, “Under current law, the oil company still owns these pipelines and has the right to use them, but it also has to take care of the environment.” This is a really complicated legal gray area. I explained clearly that I wanted to put a bomb in the divorce agreement. The land is not mine. I want them to pay. Felix’s eyes lit up, and he smiled like a wolf.
I admire how you think, but we need to be smarter. It might not be enough to only depend on the oil corporation. They have a strong legal team, and government agencies work slowly. We need at least three years to make this trap ideal. Three years? I raised my eyebrow. Why is it taking so long? First, the oil corporation needs to understand how valuable these pipelines could be. The market for natural gas is getting hotter presently and will reach its highest point in three years. The oil business will be highly interested if we can show them that these old pipelines can be turned into natural gas lines.
Second, we need to wait till the new district in the city is fully developed. At that point, your recycle yard land will be worth the most. Naomi and Tristan will have put all of their money and reputation into the project, so it won’t be easy for them to back out. Lastly, we need to make a perfect legal trap. The divorce agreement is only the first step. We also need to get together a bunch of papers, proof, and legal claims to make sure they can’t get away.
Felix’s plan was very well thought out and clever. Just what I needed. Three years, I said yes. I can wait. Okay. The first thing to do is write a unique divorce agreement. It looks like you’re handing up all rights to the land, but in truth, we’re going to plant a bomb. Felix started typing quickly on his computer. The part about being responsible for subsurface facilities will sound like normal legal language, but it will actually make them responsible for all possible huge compensation claims.
My lips curled up a little as I finished his sentence. That’s right. Felix clapped with joy. They are too greedy and only notice the land’s surface value, not the possible legal problems that are hidden below. That’s the deadly flaw of the greedy. After I signed the divorce papers, people immediately lost track of me. I sold my house in the neighborhood and rented a small flat in the city next door. I set up a transportation company called Trust Transport in Ray’s name. I only took on assignments that involved moving risky commodities and big pieces of equipment that other people wouldn’t do.
I soon got a foot in the door of the industry by using the abilities I obtained in the Marine Corps and my knowledge of machines. I was just a truck driver who could barely make ends meet. But in truth, I was quietly developing my own corporate empire. I used all of the money I made to buy more vehicles and hire veterans as drivers and mechanics. Our staff was well-organized and worked hard, swiftly becoming a dark horse in the industry. In the meantime, Felix started to carry out our strategy.
First, he wrote a letter to Continental Oil Company in the name of an environmentalist asking what they were going to do with the old pipelines that had been left behind. This was only to place a mark in official records so that the oil corporation would know about these pipelines, but it wasn’t enough to cause a big reaction right away. I met Warren Morrison, the oil company’s legal director and a former platoon leader, by chance at a shooting competition for veterans. We immediately got to know each other because we had both served in the military.
For the next two years, I often asked him to go fishing at my cottage by the lake, but I never brought up the pipes. I was just getting to know someone and waited for the proper time. You know, Garrett, on one fishing trip, Warren mentioned after a few whiskeys, “The company is looking for new routes for natural gas pipelines.” The ones we have now aren’t enough, yet building new ones costs too much. Really? I acted like I didn’t care. Have you thought about leveraging some old, unused pipelines?
Renovation costs should be a lot lower than building something new. The issue lies in determining the ownership of the pipelines, many of which are concealed in archives that are decades old. It’s even worse because many sites have already erected homes or malls, so work can’t begin. Yes, it was a hard situation, and I was already thinking about what to do next. In the third year, as Naomi and Tristan’s project development reached a crucial point, I kept a tight eye on everything they did using Ray’s intelligence network. They had already gotten a lot of investors and were getting ready to develop a high-end shopping mall on my old recycling yard. This facility would have a three-level underground parking garage.
They even planned to throw a big party to announce the business and invite all the investors and local news outlets. It was finally time. I called Warren and talked about the abandoned pipelines that run under my ex-wife’s land as if I had just found out about them. Your organization needs old pipelines to fix up, right? I remember that there are a few under my ex-wife’s land that used to belong to Continental Oil. Warren’s interest was sparked right away. A few days later, he dispatched someone to look through the archives, which proved that these pipelines were real and that he owned them.
A week later, the oil company’s evaluation team found that the pipelines were still physically sound and could be changed into natural gas lines for a minimal cost, with a possible worth of more than $20 million. But when they called Naomi to talk about their rights to utilize the pipeline, she said no. Naomi and Tristan had put too much time and money into the shopping center project to change their minds. More crucially, the way they designed the subterranean parking garage didn’t work with where the pipelines were. They said no. When I asked Warren, I acted like I was astonished.
Yes, and Warren said it with a bad attitude. Tristan even said he would sue us for hurting their project. They’ve already begun preliminary building, utterly ignoring what we told them. That’s not right. I shook my head in my mind. If the pipelines break, they might pose big difficulties for the environment. I’m quite worried because I used to possess it. Don’t worry, Garrett. Warren patted me on the shoulder. Our lawyers are getting ready to go to court. Records show that the ownership and usage rights of these pipes were never transferred, therefore building them is a violation.
They will have to pay. The plan was going just as planned. Citylight Real Estate was throwing a party to kick off a new project at the Ritz Carlton, the city’s most expensive hotel, on a Friday night. Ray’s sources said that practically all investors and local media would be there. Naomi, who was in charge of the initiative, would give a speech on stage. Felix and I sat in a cafe across the street from the hotel and watched people come in through the glass. The guests were dressed up nicely and had no idea that a storm was about to come.
The camera flashes showed Naomi and Tristan. She was wearing a fancy red dress for the evening. He was wearing a fitted suit. Both of them were grinning like happy generals. Felix clicked his tongue and said, “Look at them.” They acted like they had already counted the money and put it in their pockets. “Yeah,” I said with a smirk. “Too bad after tonight.” “All that awaits them is a pile of debt and endless legal problems.” When Naomi stepped in the middle of the platform, raised her champagne glass, and got ready to give her success speech, I nodded to Felix.
It’s time. Felix picked up the phone and called someone. Go. Ten minutes later, while Naomi was excitedly talking about the project concept on stage, a court summons server in a formal uniform entered into the room. Two police officers and a notary followed him. A real show. Everyone in the room looked at this unexpected intruder. He walked right up to the podium and gave Naomi a big envelope, leaving her speechless. “Miss Naomi Garrett?”The server questioned loudly, “What?” to make sure everyone could hear.
“Yes, that’s me,” Naomi stammered, and her face became pale right away. The US District Court has issued a temporary restraining order and an asset freeze order. “The server officially announced, his voice clear and strong.” It also has a lawsuit notice from Continental Oil Company that says you must stop all development work on plot 734B right once and pay $5 million in damages and costs to clean up the environment for subterranean facilities. There were only a few gasps of surprise, and then the room went silent.
The investors looked at each other. Flashes from reporters’ cameras went off all over the place, catching this spectacular sight. Tristan ran onto the stage to try to get the papers from Naomi. This can’t be right. We have the right to use the land legally. Our records show that the server calmly indicated that Continental Oil Company owns the oil pipelines under plot 734 B and that they were never transferred. Your building of an underground parking garage has already done harm to these buildings that can’t be fixed, which is against the Federal Energy Facilities Protection Act.
Naomi stood on stage with weak legs and a face that looked like paper. She opened the packet and saw the thick legal papers with the number that made her heart race. Five million dollars. This was over half of what they had planned to spend on the project. She said, “This can’t be,” her voice shaking with panic. An investor stood up and yelled. What is happening on, Tristan? Didn’t you find these pipes throughout your due diligence? Another investor came next with questions. What about our money now? If the project is stopped, who will be in charge of our money?
The whole place quickly fell into turmoil. Investors wanted answers. Reporters captured pictures and videos quickly, and members of the project team freaked out. Tristan sought to take charge of the situation. Please calm down, everyone. This is only a small legal problem. We’ll take care of it right away. But what he said didn’t sound true. Investors were already worried about their money and smelled blood. That night, my phone rang like crazy. Again and again, Naomi’s number. I didn’t say anything; I simply smiled and put the phone down. I was drinking beer with Ry and the others in my new garage to celebrate.
It seems like someone is in trouble. Rey laughed and held out his beer bottle. Want to listen to her messages? Of course. I nodded and linked my phone to the Bluetooth speaker. Naomi’s voice filled the whole garage right away, going from angry to imploring to hysterical. You bastard, Garrett. I know you must have done this. Five million. This will destroy me. Everyone is pulling out their money. Our accounts are frozen by the bank. Okay, let’s speak. For the sake of old times. I can give you cash.
Give you whatever you want. The brothers laughed harder with each message. We raised our glasses and drank deeply to celebrate the wonderful start of the plan for revenge. After three days and 100 missed calls from Naomi, I eventually agreed to meet her and Tristan. King of the Road was a truck driver diner on the edge of town. The coffee was poor, but the stakes were high and inexpensive, making it a popular place for truck drivers to hang out. I got there half an hour early and picked a table by the window.
I was with Ry and two big truck drivers. They were all veterans, one of whom had worked on tanks and the other on explosives. There were beer bottles and steak plates all over the table. The mood was calm and happy. When Naomi and Tristan stepped into the diner, all the drivers there eyed them with interest. They were well-dressed but tired. Naomi’s makeup wasn’t perfect anymore; she had heavy circles beneath her eyes. Tristan’s suit was crumpled, as if he hadn’t changed in days.
Garrett. Naomi smiled, but her voice had a tinge of pleading in it. Thanks for accepting to meet with us. I didn’t get up; I just told them to sit down. I pushed over two unopened bottles of beer. No, no thanks, Naomi answered gently, her eyes darting around and not being able to face me in the eye. Tristan started to defend himself right away after sitting down. I realize you might not comprehend us, Garrett. But this oil corporation idea is made up. A long time ago, those pipelines were left behind.
There is no way they can legally claim compensation. We have the best lawyers on our side, and we will fix this problem quickly. As I gently drank my beer, I watched him perform. Really? Do you know a lot about oil law? Tristan choked but got better fast. No, but we’ve talked to specialists. They believe that settling situations like this would cost a few thousand dollars at most, not five million. Is that true? I asked in a casual way. So why are your investors pulling out? Why did the bank put a hold on your accounts?
Naomi had to say something. The project has been put on hold because of that stupid court order. People are freaking out. You must know something, Garrett. Please let us know how we can fix this. In fact, I said, my voice is calm, like I’m talking about the weather. Those pipelines do belong to Continental Oil Company. The land archives plainly say so. Also, the divorce agreement said that Naomi would take care of all the historical third-party subsurface facilities. Naomi’s face got even whiter.
But that was just a normal clause. No one would really go for those old, abandoned pipelines. I didn’t read those legal clauses very well, you know. So, you admit that you signed a legal paper that you didn’t completely understand. Even though my voice was calm, it had a trace of sarcasm. It’s strange that someone who went to business school would make such a simple error. Tristan began to sweat cold. Hey Garrett, we can talk about this. What do you need? Cash? We can give you a part of the project.
Unless Felix suddenly showed up behind them with a folder. Someone had plans to build an underground parking garage over those pipelines, which could have damaged the structure. This is no longer only a civil concern; it also entails criminal responsibility. Tristan turned around quickly. Who the hell are you? Mr. Garrett’s lawyer is Felix Jennings. Under the dim lights of the diner, his bright Hawaiian shirt stood out even more. But his eyes were as keen as a knife. Felix sat down and opened the file. Citylight Real Estate’s project plans, which are public records, say that you want to dig out a three-level underground parking garage under plot 734B.
This would immediately hurt the oil pipelines’ structure, which might lead to an environmental calamity. This is crazy. Tristan hit the table with his fist and stood up, his voice high with terror. A long time ago, those pipelines were left behind. No one is interested in them. They are still active in the eyes of the law. Felix spoke gently, as if he were a teacher. As part of their new natural gas network, Continental Oil Company now aims to turn these pipelines back on. Your project directly threatens the country’s energy security. Naomi started to cry.
Please, Garrett. This will destroy us. Everyone who invests is pulling out. Our accounts are frozen by the bank. There won’t be anything left for us. What a strange coincidence. I smirked, and the temperature in my voice dropped to zero. That’s exactly what you wanted to do to me three years ago. Get rid of me like trash. Take all of my things. Felix pulled out a little recorder and hit the play button. It was evident that Naomi and Tristan’s talk in the car could be heard in the diner. Your dumb hubby doesn’t even know he’s sitting on a gold mine.
Go away. But don’t call him that. He is stupid. He is merely a mindless worker. Naomi’s face turned white right away. Tristan tried to say something, but he couldn’t get the words out. Everyone in the diner stopped talking. All the truck drivers are enjoying this great spectacle. Now let’s speak about how to fix things. I leaned back in my chair and spoke with the calmness of a winner. I have come to an agreement with Continental Oil Company. They offer to drop the lawsuit if the stuff is returned to me straight away.
What? Not possible. Tristan yelled, and the veins on his forehead stood out. Naomi got that land lawfully through a divorce deal. This is a scam. Yes, but the contract made it plain that she would be responsible for everything that happened at the underground facilities. The court will give the property back to its original owner if she can’t pay the $5 million in damages. Felix quietly explained. This is basic law about contracts. We can take legal action. Tristan made threats, but they didn’t sound serious. I shrugged and said, “Of course you can.”
Your investors will be happy to know that their money will be stuck in court for up to five years. Oh, don’t forget about the money you owe the bank. Interest is building up, and eventually your personal property will be taken. Naomi lost it entirely. Her makeup was all over her face from crying. Please, Garrett, there has to be another way. For the sake of old times. I laughed. When you deceived me, you didn’t think about the past, did you? Tristan quickly sprang at me, trying to seize my collar.
You sneaky bastard. You set all of this up. I didn’t avoid him; I just stared at him calmly. Rey and the two brothers rose up right away. One twisted Tristan’s arm while the other pressed down on his shoulder, making him sit back down hard. Ry said, “I think you should calm down, suitman.” “This is our land.” No one would hear you scream. “Tristan’s face changed from arrogant to scared right away. I answered carefully, in a calm voice that left no room for denial, “There is one solution.”
I will give the plot to the Marine Corps Veterans Foundation. They will collaborate with the oil firm to turn those pipelines into a natural gas line. The foundation has said that they will drop all of their cases against you once the project starts. How about us? Naomi cried, and her makeup was a mess. She looked like a clown who had fallen. I laughed at you. All of your investors and banks no longer trust you. That’s not my problem when it comes to personal debts.
I think Tristan’s ex-wife will be quite thrilled to hear this. Tristan’s face became gray. You had this all planned out from the start, didn’t you? You were waiting for this moment from the very beginning. I answered no, not completely. To be honest, I only decided to give you a lesson when you chose to betray me. Don’t ever underestimate a man who is honest and pushed to the limit. They walked out of the diner with their heads down. A week later, the court officially said that the plot should be restored to me. I gave it to the Veterans Foundation right away.
In return, my Trust Transport firm became the exclusive contractor for the joint project between the foundation and the oil firm. They signed a 10-year deal for more than $50 million. Three months later, the local paper ran two stories. First, the Marine Corps Veterans Foundation got a big grant and planned to build a community activity center in the city’s new neighborhood. Second, Citylight Real Estate went bankrupt, and its VP Tristan Wilson was arrested for fraud and illegal fundraising. He could spend up to ten years in prison.
Naomi’s position was significantly worse. Not only did she lose her work, but she also had a lot of debt. She was said to have returned back to her hometown, where she lived in her parents’ basement and got by on odd jobs. She lost her real estate license and had no other options in the business. A year later, the Veterans Foundation’s Community Centerly opened at the same address as my old recycle yard. Naomi and Tristan used to make fun of the location, calling it a rubbish dump. Now it is a modern complex with a job training center, a rehabilitation clinic, and a space for community activities.
I put on my best truck driver work attire and set up a grill in the yard for the veterans who came to the opening. Ray, Felix, my oil company friend, Warren, and scores of Trust Transport workers were all there with me. Trust Transport had evolved into a professional logistics company with sales of more than $30 million a year. Our fleet has grown from two old trucks to more than 50 new heavy transport vehicles that focus on moving dangerous products and big equipment.
A young reporter walked up to me and asked, “Mr. Garrett, how did you go from being the owner of a recycling yard to a very successful business owner? I turned the hot stakes on the grill over without looking up and said, “No secret.” There are only two things you need to remember. “Never let people look down on you, and never betray those who trust you.” Ry stepped up and gave me a cold beer. I hoisted my drink and clinked it hard with my brethren in honor of our fraternity.
The sun beamed on us for those who used to look down on us. The smell of barbecue and beer filled the air. I finally felt like I had won. Not only getting back at Naomi and Tristan, but winning over life itself. At that same moment, Naomi was probably in her parents’ basement on the opposite side of town, reading the divorce agreement and finally figuring out what all the legalese she never bothered to read meant. That pile of trash she used to make fun of has turned into a gold mine that she could never get to.
That tough guy she used to hate had become an enemy she could never beat. The person who laughs last is the one who laughs best. And I, Garrett, the unfortunate guy whose wife left him on graduation day, stood in the sun, raised a beer, and toasted to a bright future. Revenge is best served when it’s cold. But I made it into a fun barbecue gathering.
