Alan raises an eyebrow. “Just when I think there is nothing a client can do to surprise me, I’m proved wrong.” He turns to Kim. “You are entitled to that money in law. You are not taking from Danika anything she is not bound to give.”
“I know.” Kim clasps her hands on the table, leans forward. “But I don’t want it. And I don’t need it. But I won’t speak for Bella, which is why I want her to have the same as Cami.”
“You’re passing up on potentially”—Alan rises, picks a sheet from his desk—“$348,067.”
“I know,” Kim says steadily. “It’s what I want.”
Alan turns to Danika. “And you, while what you’re proposing is legally the right thing, as this is a mediation, the parties can agree on whatever terms they want. If you hold your position, you’re giving away the same amount, and from your submission, you’d have to sell your house to raise the money.”
“It’s the right thing to do. Kim is entitled to it, and I want her to have it.”
Alan pours himself a glass of water and takes a sip. He leans back in his chair, regarding them both. For a few minutes he says nothing.
“This is a mediation. So we can mediate. I can suggest Danika pay a smaller sum to Kim. If Danika agrees to that?—”
“I won’t.” Danika says.
“—Kim can accept or refuse.”
“I will refuse. And I will go on refusing, whatever compromise you come up with.”
“I can’t remember the last time I had clients as stubborn as you both,” Alan says. “And both arguing against their best interests.” He strokes his chin. “It is a big decision to make spontaneously. And if I may say, emotionally.”
“Emotion doesn’t come into it,” Kim says.
Danika nods.
“I understand. Then I have a third option to put to you, and I suggest you both give it some serious thought.”
“Okay,” Danika says. “I’m listening.”
“Me too.” Kim nods.
“I suggest we open a trust in both of your names. Danika agrees to put her home on the market within sixty days, and once it is sold, she puts $348,067 into the trust. The money sits there until an agreement is reached, whatever that may be. If after a year the trust is still in place, we again meet to try to reach a final settlement. And if you still can’t agree, then we meet yearly—sooner if one of you requests it—until you reach settlement, or die of old age.” He looks from one to the other. “How does that sound? It gives you breathing space.”
Kim turns to Danika. “That’s okay with me.”
“And to me.” Danika smiles and touches Kim’s face. “And we can decide what we want to do over time.”
Kim takes her hand and clasps it.
Alan clears his throat. “I’ll be back shortly to go over the finer details with you.”
The sound of the door closing behind him hardly registers as Danika stands, tugging Kim up with her, and she pours her heart into a kiss.
Danika contains herself until they’re in the lift going down to street level. Then she turns to Kim. “That’s such a simple idea, but I’m happy with it. I want to jump up and down and scream my pleasure.”
“Don’t do that,” Kim says. “Apparently the lift will halt if everyone jumps together.”
“I think that’s an old wives’ tale, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing, stuck in a lift with you.” She waggles her eyebrows. “Isn’t that everyone’s fantasy?”
“Until a burly repair man sticks his head through the emergency hatch and sees what you’re doing.”
“That’s been part of some of those fantasies I’ve read,” Danika says.
“Certainly not mine.”
“Nor mine. Not now. Not now I’ve met you.” She takes Kim’s hand. “Shall we have lunch somewhere?”
