Once I surfaced, I was served with Jackie’s divorce papers. Let the games begin. The early rounds were predictable. Both sides seeking the gold and offering the shaft.
My guy was able to get every other weekend with the kids. It was evident that Jackie was already poisoning their minds. How is it that a loving couple, if that’s what we were, can go off the rails so easily?
About two months later, the divorce was put on hold after Jackie was arrested for assault. Apparently she made a big scene at a book signing event. I was in the gallery when her case went before a jury.
The prosecutor was brutal. He introduced selected email threads individually, reading each aloud. Jackie’s moans of angst were getting louder with each one.
“From PLeCroix at lit dot com ‘My sweet grey-eyed butterfly. Please don’t be mad at your friend, but I could no longer contain myself. She identified your email address from my fan letter sign-up sheet. May I call you Jackie? I so enjoyed our time together that Sunday night. Please use this email address, which I set up just for you. My press secretary responds to the fan letter email addresses. Love Pierre.'”
‘Pierre, as I told you that night. What we did was a big mistake. One which I should have never made. I need to forget that it ever happened. Jackie’
I muttered ‘Bitch’ loud enough to get elbowed by my father, even though it was his suggestion.
“From PLeCroix at lit dot com ‘Jackie, how can you forget that night? I know you felt it too. We are meant to be together. But, if you were only using me, then I understand. The look in your eyes that night told me otherwise though. Love Pierre.'”
‘Pierre, I was not using you. Yes, I did feel something, and I still do. It’s just that it has opened a serious rift in my marriage. What we did was wrong. Yours Jackie.’
Each email thread drew more snickers from the gallery.
The prosecutor introduced another thread “From PLeCroix at lit dot com, five days later. ‘My sweet grey-eyed butterfly, if what we did was wrong then I never want to be right again. I get hard just thinking about how our bodies molded together. Please be mine alone. Love Pierre.'”
‘Pierre, maybe I’ll come to another book signing. Maybe, no promises, but I’m wet thinking about it. Your grey-eyed butterfly.’
Laughter and snorting caused Jackie to blush beet red.
“From PLeCroix at lit dot com ‘It was never my intent to interfere with your marriage, but sometimes love turns a blind eye when soulmates finally meet. What is happening with your marriage my love?'”
‘My ass of a husband took our kids for a week’s vacation in Orlando and then left me alone with them for another two weeks. I was initially planning on filing for divorce just to get his attention, but now I feel I should follow through with it. AND, get this! Before he even got served, he filed for divorce and is petitioning the court for full custody.’
‘That cad! Surely the court will side with you.’
‘My attorney is worried. Riley documented my lack of participation in raising the kids over the last year. Dammit! I have a very demanding job and he works from home.’
‘Let him keep those children. I want you to have my babies.’
‘Pierre, that is so sweet, but I love my kids.’
‘You could love our kids too! And if he wins custody, you’ll have limited visitation. Think about it. The sooner we get together, the sooner we can start a family.’
‘I’ll think about it love.’
There was a buzz in the gallery, with many condemning Jackie for her willingness to even consider abandoning her children. A few spanks of his gavel and the judge restored order.
After several more love-struck email threads were read aloud, they got to the one that set the assault in motion.
“From PLeCroix at lit dot com ‘Jackie, great news. I will be doing a book signing in Elliot eighty miles from you. My new book is about our love. I’ll have a dedicated copy for you sitting by my side. Please say you will come. My heart beats so hard hoping that not only will you come, but you will stay the night or possibly forever with me. Love Pierre.'”
‘My darling Pierre. Yes, yes, and yes. My divorce is now in motion. We are living apart now and I’m letting him keep the kids more and more. You and our children will be the focus of my love. Yours forever, love Jackie.’
That drew groans and sobs from Jackie, and snickers from the onlookers. Many knew what happened at the book signing.
Once order returned to the court “Your honor, I would like to introduce the police report involving Mrs. Jackie Parsons.
At approximately four fifteen, Mrs. Jackie Parsons pushed her way to the head of the line. Mr. Stanley Crude, acting as Mr. LeCroix, recoiled when she attempted to hug and kiss him. When Mrs. Parsons would not take ‘NO’ for an answer she became aggressive. Security was called in to escort Mrs. Parsons away. She was screaming that she and Pierre were soulmates and soon to be married. At that point, Mrs. Crude introduced herself and in no uncertain terms warned her to stay away from her husband. Mrs. Parsons broke free from the security guard and attacked both Mr. and Mrs. Crude. She was arrested for those assaults.
Just one more item your honor. The police were able to determine that the PLeCroix at lit dot com email account was established using Mrs. Parsons’s home WIFI.”
+ + + +
“The prosecution would like to call to the stand Mr. Stanley Crude.”
After the formalities “Do you use the email address PLeCroix at lit dot com?”
“No sir, never heard of it.”
“Were you at the book signing in Elliot?”
“Yes sir. That was my turn to be Pierre.”
“By being Pierre, you mean acting as if you were Pierre LeCroix?”
“Correct. There is no Pierre LeCroix. Four of us take turns pretending to be Pierre. The book signing schedule is too strenuous for one person.”
“If there is no Pierre, who writes the books?”
“An ever changing cast of piece workers. Mostly college students earning a little cash. They get paid by the chapter.”
“Had you ever met Jackie Parsons?”
“Not until she attacked me.”
“Were you the Pierre at the book signing in University Park?”
“No, that was probably Jack Quigley.”
“No further questions your honor.”
The sound of Jackie sobbing echoed in the courtroom.
From there the case against Jackie Parsons progressed quickly. She was found guilty. At her sentencing she was ordered to perform two hundred hours of community service and two years of probation.
+ + + +
Epilogue:
For Jackie, the worst part of that was how it affected her custody battle. She insisted that it was I who sent those emails. Lacking any proof, it made Jackie look unstable and delusional. The divorce court agreed.
Jackie now gets scheduled visitations two weekends per month and alternating holidays. It is she who pays child support. Seems like someone has broken her spirit.
Being the kind hearted person that I am, every time a new Pierre LeCroix romance novel comes out I have someone sign it ‘To my grey-eyed butterfly, Love Pierre’ and mail it to Jackie at her office. My that woman has a foul mouth!