Esther Alternate Ending

Sitting in an isolated section of the restaurant with a cup of coffee and a small volume in front of her, Esther was pretending to read. She was tossing about the behavior of her son and the word stupid kept coming into play, a word she never applied to Neil before. What chemical imbalance goes into play with young males that shut down the processes controlling logic and simple good judgment? Above most in scholastic matters, she told herself, he labors like no other when it comes to perfecting his musical output, yet for the simple animal lust, reason discarded along the roadside and recklessness finds itself in the driver’s seat.
She looked at her watch, then towards the entrance. Where is she? She sipped her coffee and looks back down at the book. Why did I choose John Donne? Although Donne was a favorite, her anger compromised her power of concentration. Looking up again, she sees Mrs. Calvé with a tall and broad statured-gentleman, wearing a dark gray pinstripe suit, stripe tie and gold wire rimmed glasses. Pointing out the direction, Denise and the gentleman arrived smiling. Esther gestured that they sit. Esther’s tension disappeared; and replaced by an unexpected challenge.
Outwater this is John Gaffney, my attorney. He insisted on coming, so that we can establish an amicable settlement.”
“Mr. Gaffney,” Esther reached over to shake his offered hand.
“Mrs. Outwater, Mrs. Calvé told me that you have given her some suggested settlement possibilities, is that so?”
“Please call me Esther. May I call you John?” Nods, smiles and agreeable phrases established the prologue.
“I am legally obligated to advise you,” he begins, “that it would be in your best interest to have a lawyer present here. Mrs. Calvé tells me you have not retained one as yet?”
“I feel very confident that we can bring this matter to a close without one.”
“If you say so,” Mr. Gaffney accepted with a