An idea

The next morning, Evelyn headed in for work. As she neared the station, she saw Marcus leaning on the wall, talking into his phone. By the time she got up to him, he was putting it away.

"Wife giving you grief?" She jested.

"Nope. Just got told they caught Brian in Erie County."

"Well that made your job easy."

"Sure did. Better not keep you."

"Right. See you later."

After her briefing, Evelyn got out on patrol. When she got a quite moment, she whipped out her phone and sent a text to Clay.

'hey, r u free @ lunchtime??'

'sure Ive got the day off. whats up'

'I want to talk. Meet at CCH?'

'u dont think the **** housewives of Avonwick will start gossiping?'

'gotta give em something to talk about'

'lol true'

'anyway better get bac kto work cu then'

* * *

When lunchtime came, Evelyn headed to the Corner Coffee House. That's where she found her ex-husband sitting at a table with a surprisingly happy face. When she sits down, Clay said "Hey."

"Hey."

"So you wanted to talk?"

"Yeah... Well I've kinda come into some money..."

Clay raised his hands. "So long both the boys get some in their account, I'm happy."

"Heh. Well anyway, I'm thinking of spending some of it on a trip with the boys to visit my family. Just wanna co-ordinate with you."

"You got any time-frame in mind?"

"Well, I'm thinking maybe a month during Summer Break, if that's okay?"

"I can work around it."

"I mean I'll have to see how things line up with my folks."

"Of course."

That's when a waitress came to take their order. Once she walked away, Clay said "You told the boys yet?"

"Not just yet. Right now it's just an idea."

Clay nods. "Well, you've got my number, so feel free to call."

"Will do."

The two continue to exchange small talk as they wait for their meal. It seemed almost surreal to her to have such a peaceful conversation with Clay after their divorce. Years ago, this issue would have been a shouting match with no clear winner, but now they had cooled down, able to hash things out over a civil conversation. As much as she loved Spencer, a small part of her couldn't help but think if things could possibly work out between her and Clay. Then again, all she had to do was remind herself of the constant arguing their relationship had become to subdue such thoughts.