Suki Dominguez

Suki Dominguez-Stompel Age 23

Job: Draftsman, architect career

Marital Status: Married to Hayden Stompel (currently unemployed) age 29


Suki came home and she couldnt believe what she walked in to. Normally any woman would be happy to see that their husband bought brand new furniture. This was not the case with Suki. Suki had now been Married to Hayden going on three years. In the beginning of their relationship everything was not perfect but livable. Now she looks back and realizes how she was wrong in believing Hayden would improve. She had now lived three years with a man who has held numerous odd jobs without even maintaining one. When she met Hayden he was working in an office and then from one day to the next he was unemployed. Suki tried to pick up his spirits but Hayden fell into a state of depression. Suki tried not to push but with his severance package from work spent and her draftsman salary they were not making it. Suki tried to maintain a tight budget but that was impossible with Hayden who spent like he did when he was employed. Now here was Suki sitting on her brand new furniture which she didnt know how Hayden had paid for since they were almost broke.

"Hey baby. I thought I heard you come in. Do you like your surprise?"
"Hayden. I do like the furniture. More importantly how did you pay for it. Were broke."
"Suki, were fine. I have a new job lead. Besides we need something new for the house."
"Hayden we cant afford it. How did you pay for it?"
"With our account why?"
"HAYDEN??!! That was the money set aside for our rent. What were you thinking. "
Suki walked to their room and shut the door. Hayden looked at the closed door and didnt know why she reacted that way.

* * * *

Hayden's job lead didnt pan out. Contrary to what Suki thought he really tried to find a job. It was hard being let go of a company where he had invested blood, sweat and tears in. Hayden tried jobs here and there but he used to be the executive director. Now he was starting from the bottom again. He just couldnt see himself starting from the bottom. Now that his severance package was gone he needed to execute the plan. He thought that buying the furniture might cheer Suki up. In the end it just made things worse. He and Suki were not connecting like they once were. Like so many couples their main arguments were about money. The other day he heard her talking to Atani on the phone. He didnt want to believe that Suki was telling her family about their situation. there was nothing worse than having your in-laws stare at you and look at you like a loser. He needed to do something. He felt like he was losing Suki and he didnt like that feeling. He heard Suki coming home so he ran into their spare room to avoid her angry glare.

"Hayden have you been home all day?"

"yes. Why?"

"Hayden. What happened to your job lead?"

"It didnt pan out. Are you OK?"

"Im not. Hayden im getting tired of this. We are broke do you hear me? Are you hearing me? Seriously Hayden you buy things like we are earning the big dollars. Were not! I dont think that you are listening to me."

Suki walked out the room with tears in her eyes. She didnt want to face the fact that her husband was not going to change. She had invested three years of her life and now she felt that she needed out. She didnt feel like Hayden was ready now or ever to face their true financial situation.

Hayden followed Suki out and decided it was time that they talked. Hayden let his fears out about his job situation while Suki let her true feelings be known.

"Hayden I think we need to see a counselor because I am not really seeing us together in the future."

"What do you mean? Suki my feelings for you have not changed."

"but they have for me. I need to feel secure. You live in this world where money is always flowing. Welcome to reality. Its not! We are broke. I am going to have to borrow money from my parents to pay our rent. When did we get like this? I have never ever needed to borrow money before I got married to you."

"so im to blame? Suki your telling your whole family instead of it just being between us."

"and I have to because im about to explode! Look if you want counseling im willing if not then its over you decide."

* * * * *

Months later they were in the same boat. As much as Suki arranged and rearranged the sessions Hayden was always a no show. Suki was tired of it that she decided to make the last stand. She had decided to end her relationship with Hayden. This was a decision that she ponder for several months. She was tired of having to make her relationship work. This was too much work and she as over it. She called her old college friend Toby Brueing who was now a top lawyer at his firm. Toby hesitated but in the end he agreed. Suki didnt want a scandalous divorce. She wanted something low key but most of all quick. She was ready for Hayden to be out of her life.

When Hayden got home he saw Toby and asked Suki what was going on.

"Its over Hayden. It was time for this marriage to dissolve. im tired of you and the lies that you tell me over and over. Toby here has the paperwork for our divorce. I need you to come over here and sign."

"You have got to be kidding me. You want me to sign when we have not discussed it. Suki you have gone mad. this is enough. Im sorry Toby but we need some pirvacy. Its not over and tell me that I need to sign here."

Toby realized that he needed to leave them alone, "Suki I thought you had talked to him about this. Im sorry Hayden apparently I was fooled. Suki I expect a phone call tomorrow."

Suki and Hayden waited until the next day so that they could talk calmly. They began talking and before they knew it they were yelling at each other non stop. Suki told Hayden that she didnt love him any more and wanted out.

"You want out? Fuck it Suki.. you got it. You got your precious freedom. Nice of you to kick a man when he's down." With out allowing her to respond he walked out of their apartment and her life.

In the next following weeks Suki would come home and find out more and more of Hayden's things had been moved out. Suki didnt react any way since all she wanted to get rid of this whole mess.

She invited her parents over not only to break the news to them but also to get some company. Oddly the apartment felt big and empty without Hayden. Was she making the right choice? She knew that she could not continue at the pace she was going.

Her mother was shocked to hear that Suki and Hayden were getting a divorce. As always Austin was the first to react. He got up and hugged Suki and she let her tears stroll down her cheek. Her mother sat there thinking what had gone wrong in Suki's marriage to lead to divorce. Austin hugged his daughter and let her weep. He told her that everything was going to be OK.

* * * *

Finally the dreaded day was here. Suki sat down with Toby and did small talk. Toby was no longer upset at Suki. Suki looked at Toby and recalled the moment he had asked her out. She couldnt believe that this guy that had a crush on her was actually the one that was finalizing her divorce. As always Hayden was running late. She was beginning to think he was not going to show when they heard a knock on the door.

"I thought you werent coming" said Suki.

"Trust me if anything I can do is sign to give you your freedom. where do I sign Toby?"

Toby noticed the alchohol on Hayden's breath but choose to ignore it. These past few weeks he had the opportunity to know Hayden's history and it wasnt pretty. He was glad that he was able to end this for Suki. Hayden signed the divorce papers slid them to Suki got up and said, "good luck in your life" and walked out. Toby looked at Suki and said, " Im sorry. I cant believe he reacted that way."

* * * *

Suki thought that being divorced it would ease her mind. Now instead she kept thinking about being a divocee at 25 years old. Her life did not turn out like she thought it would.

Atani came over often to keep her company. Suki appreciated that her family came over to make sure she was OK. Atani encourage her sister to go out and socialize. Maybe a change of scenary was due in her life.

* * * * *

Toby had called Suki to inquire how she had been doing. He worked out the courage and asked her out for a friendly dinner. She was going to say no but it had been 4 months since her divorce and needed to get out. She was glad that Toby invited her and she tried to keep the conversation light.

They danced and Suki managed to relax a little bit. Maybe Suki had too much to drink because Toby started to look real good. Toby loved being there with her. Through out college he wanted to pursue her but she was into her studies more than she was into dating. Now here they were as if destiny had maybe given them another opportunity. Toby didnt want to take advantage so he took Suki home and then he went to his own house.

Suki had settled in and almost wished Toby didnt go home. She heard a knock on her door and she ran to open it.. she opened it with a big smile only to see her ex-husband standing in her doorway.

"late night huh?"

"what do you want Hayden?"

"Just because were divorced doesnt mean we cant be civil. I wanted to tell you that I miss you and want you back."

"Its not happening. You need to go home."

She slammed the door. Maybe it was too soon to go out with Toby. Seeing Hayden on her doorstep made her realize that her wounds from her previous relationship were too fresh. She will call Toby and let him know that she needed space.

Toby did return to Suki's house but to leave a dozen roses. He didnt know how Suki felt but he felt on top of the world.

Not only did Suki receive flowers from Toby but Hayden also came by TWICE to leave her flowers. Hayden was going to do everything to get Suki back.