Sorry Spanky, you bought that ticket knowing it wasn't refundable. You could have bought a refundable or changeable ticket, but you wanted to go cheap. And now you want CAL to give you a "do-over" because your ex screwed you. Sorry, not CAL's problem. Send you ex-wife the bill and quit blaming CAL for your own decisions.
Why didn't you have a ZED ticket as a backup if you're an airline employee?
The is a perfect example of the American public getting EXACTLY what they want. You want it cheap, you get it cheap.
GOOD FAST CHEAP
Pick 2.