Good for Now (Book One of The Now Series) (16 page)

Chapter 40

Julie

“Good morning Julie,” Heather says as I walk in the office.

“And a good morning to you too,” I say.

Heather smiles, I see she is holding my messages. There is nothing better than a supportive team member.

“Oh, before I forget, the latest is, the office upstairs is going to be ready any day now.”

“Nice.”

Heather hands over my messages, “Here you go.”

“I see another busy morning in the works,” I say, taking the messages, glancing down to see Officer Bella had called. My heart beat starts speeding, feeling anxious.

I rush to my office to call her, there must be an update on Anna.

“Hi, Officer Bella, it’s Julie White, returning your call.”

“Hi Julie, I hope you’re seated,” she says.

I have a feeling whatever she is going to say, isn’t going to be good.

“Well, wanted you to know that things for Anna have turned for the worst.”

Thump, thump, my heart goes knocking on my chest.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“She died earlier this morning.”

I start to shake, the phone almost slips from my hand.

“No, I thought she was going to pull through this.”

“Well, he did more damage to her than thought, to the point where her heart stopped and caused brain damage.”

“Bastard,” I say, feeling the tears roll down my cheeks. If only had I acted quicker. “I should have done something sooner.”

“The worst thing you can do is blame yourself, you actually gave her a chance to live. Officer Brady went to the hospital, he learned from talking to Anna’s mother there was a long abusive relationship between them.”

“I see.”

“If it wasn’t Nick roughing Anna up, she was roughing him up. I guess Anna got the raw end of the deal. However, she did say that she had warned her daughter years ago that Nick was the type of boy she shouldn’t play games with.”

“Still I just can’t believe it.”

“Well, it’s finally over between them.”

I take a deep breath, “Yes it is. Well, thank you for letting me know.”

“I’m sure we’ll be speaking to each other again.”

“Yes, but hopefully on good terms,” I say.

“Probably not.”

After sitting in silence for thirty minutes, thinking how I could have helped Anna. I came to the conclusion there was little I could have done. Anna was mixed up in a relationship that she did not want to leave and she suffered the ultimate price.

I hope more Anna’s in the world would somehow snap out of these relationships. Was I finally out of mine? My stomach went down south again, thinking about Kevin.

Heather buzzes, “Robert Burns is on line one.”

“The Robert Burns?” I ask.

“Yes, that is why I didn’t put the call straight over. I just want to remind you about him again. He only calls when he wants a favor and it is usually a big one, or he would have had his assistant call.”

“Thanks, I got it.”

I look to the phone, seeing line one blinking. Great, I finally get to talk to another asshole who once worked at the office. I got a sick thought of him and Mr. Diaz exchanging their sexual stories. I take a deep breath, feeling nervous.

“Hello, this is Julie White,” I calmly say.

“Ah, I already have a hard on hearing your voice.”

I feel flush, wanting to shout who the hell do you think you are? But I keep quiet.

“Are you still there? Or did a cat bite your tongue?”

Again I want to shout, who the hell do you think you are.

“I’m here, what do you what?” I say, realizing I may hear another stupid comment.

“Julie, it would be best if we could discuss what I want in person,” Robert says.

I feel a lump in my throat, wondering how he wasn’t barred from practicing law. I realize he was in a league of his own, he was a piece of work. I am taken that he thinks I would even consider meeting him.

“Not going to happen, I am too busy; however if it is that important I have five minutes to spare on the phone,” I say, feeling sweat bubble form around my brow.

“A sassy one, you are.”

“Four minutes.”

“OK, well have you gotten to the Johnson verse William’s file yet?” Robert asks.

“It doesn’t ring a bell.”

“It’s probably in the stack of files on your desk.”

“Let me see, hold on,” I say. I pull the stack closer, looking at the tabs to see it. I open it and it is another domestic abuse case. Josh Williams pushed and pulled Mary Johnson by the hair outside a park where their children played.

“I have it here, let me guess, you are representing Williams.”

“Of course.”

“What do you want?”

“A lady who gets to the point, I like that.”

“Two minutes.”

“I’d like for the case to be dropped, once you read the report you’ll see that the state really has nothing to go on. It is a he said she said case.”

I let out a laugh, “Are you serious, there is enough evidence to cream Williams and I didn’t even read the rest of the report.”

“How about a lesser charge like battery.”

“No, let’s see here. According to the police report, there are four witness statements in the file, saying they saw a very upset Williams storm up to Johnson, said a few words, then grabbed her by her hair, pulling her down to the ground as she begged him to stop. He then kicked her in the stomach saying he didn’t want another baby. I say Williams better take the deal he got or he may be spending more prison time.”

“Those witnesses where her friends, they are not reliable. Plus she wasn’t innocent, she was sleeping around and he got a little upset. That is all.”

“That may be true, but he didn’t have the right to lay his hands on her.”

“Come on Julie, work with me. So we can move on. I know Mr. Grant wants cases settled. It costs everyone money when cases go to trial.”

“It does but not this time around. Williams can take the offer or he can risk a worst fate at trail.” I hear Robert take a deep breath. I know he is not happy but I am doing my job.

“Well see, go check out those friends of Johnson, they all slept with Williams and you know how that shit goes.”

“Bye Robert, time is up.”

Looking at the statements I see that they pretty much say the same thing. I smile, wondering what Robert’s next move will be.

Chapter 41

Julie

Violet looks in the folder for a moment, I suspect to see how our last session ended. The old me would have taken offense but I don’t now. I know she has other clients than me.

“The last time you were here, you were upset about Kevin standing you up. Did you hear from him again?" Violet asks.

"No, he never called again." I look down to my hands feeling numb.

"How do you feel about it?"

"It is strange because I don't know how I am feeling or how I should be feeling. It's like I don't have any feelings. I don't feel like crying and maybe it is because I have no tears left for him. I just don't know. It's like I am half alive. Maybe I don't care anymore, but I'm not sure if I would feel this way if he was calling me."

"I see," Violet says. "It sounds like you have suppressed your feelings for a while that you are no longer able to identify them. This is normal when you have placed your needs and feelings to the side for a while."

"So what can I do to change this?" I ask.

"Well, writing your thoughts and expressing the feelings you do feel will make the harder feelings come out. Have you been writing your feelings down?"

"Yes but I haven't been writing a lot."

"Well, start writing more. The harder feelings will eventually come out."

"It does makes sense, however I do feel happy about work. Yet, it has opened my eyes to the not so nice ways of the world."

"How is that?"

"Well, I not naive about bad things happening to people. But the cases I have been handing really has been highlighting the evil in men and women."

"I can appreciate that, because I also see the not so good sides of people but I can only imagine the cases you have. You work as a prosecutor for the victims of domestic issues, involving violence."

"Yes, I am. The first case, the victim Anna, was strangled unconscious and died the next day. I believe I called her just after she was strangled. I have nightmares thinking about what she went through."

Violet's eyes popped, "Has it gotten that bad out there?, I mean a slap is just as bad, but to strange someone to death is diabolical."

"Yes, I am afraid so, it is like people react violently when they hear something they don't want to or want to accept. I heard that Anna, the victim, and he boyfriend were forever breaking and making up. This time Anna was the one who did the breaking up and Nick didn't like it."

"That is why it is easier to break-up a relationship in the beginning because it does get harder."

"True, but people aren't perfect so when is really the right time to break-up? I think of Kevin. I know I stayed in the relationship longer than I should. I don't know why I thought I should. It is something I hope to figure out." I take a deep breath before continuing, "I know Kevin will call again, and I am afraid how I will act when he does."

"You will have to listen to your gut. Keep writing and you'll be surprised how your feelings will start revealing themselves."

"I worry if I don't see him, will he come after me? Will I die too?"

Chapter 42

Julie

I wonder if I will ever know my true feelings. Violet says all of my concerns will take time. They have to be in me somewhere, maybe it is not a bad thing, maybe God wants it that way.

The apartment was basically packed, boxes were stacked ready to be taken to my home. The house closing is today.

I can't believe it is happening, Earlier in the week, I went by the title company to sign the addendum requested by Ms. Joan, stating that if I ever wanted to sell the place for any reason I would sell it back to her for the same price. Strange request, but I don't plan on moving, but I can see Joan's point; she would not want just anyone moving it.

Dad calls me, "Hi Dad."

"So today is the big day. How are you feeling?"

"Nervous but good, I can't wait to move in."

"Your mother would be proud," he says.

"I wish she was here..."

"She'd be real proud of you, just like I am. Listen, I am calling to see if you need anything. Do you?"

"No, I am good, but thanks for the offer."

"Alright girl, call me later."

"I will, look I got to go, I'm here,” I say as I pull in the parking space.

I walk in the title company's office to see Ms. Joan seated alone at the closing table.

"Hi dear," she greets me, her eyes shining looking right at me. Dressed in a black fitted cardigan, with a white shiny shirt underneath, her legs are crossed, wearing beige slacks. Looking different than when we first met her, today is all business.

"Hi Ms. Joan, you look nice. I can't believe that today is the big day. I hope you haven't changed your mind."

"Oh, no dear, I am very happy that you will be the new owner, and my new neighbor of course. It is very important to have the right person around and I am one hundred precent sure you are," Ms. Joan's says.

"Thank you."

Deb, the closing agent walks in and asks if either of us would like a drink. I am too nervous to drink anything but Ms. Joan accepts, "Yes that would be nice.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Ms. Joan lightly squeezes my upper arms. I can't help but think she somehow knows me for liking me the way she does, but that doesn't seem possible. I’m good with remembering faces but again, there is always that possibility our paths crossed.

Deb returns with a bottle of water and asks us both. "Shall we begin?”

I shake my head, waiting for Ms. Joan to say yes.

“First do you have a straw?" Ms. Joan asks.

I look at her, remembering how my mother would request a straw if it wasn’t given to her for everything she drank including coffee. I wonder if she knew my mother. Should I ask her? Not now, this is not the appropriate time.

"Sure, I'll be right back," Deb says.

Deb is back in a flash with a container of full straws,"Here you go, Ms. Joan," she says, as she offers the straws to her.

"Now we can begin," Joan says, as she reaches for one.

Then she leans in, touching my shoulders. There is something about her, that seems familiar. Maybe I do know her. Maybe our paths crossed when I was a child. Each time I want to say something I am interrupted.

The closing flew by, taking only forty minutes. At the end, Joan hugged me when the last document was signed.

She even had lunch plans which I enjoyed. I learned that Joan and her husband met on a train. She was about to get up from her seat when she happened to look up seeing what she described as the most gorgeous man. I couldn’t help blushing, her keen description of him had me visualizing how he looked. He certainly sounded attractive, with his well built body, blond wavy hair, blue eyes and sexy voice. Ms. Joan kept on using the adjective “mysterious’ in how he talked and moved. I could see she was smitten by him.

She went on to tell me that she never told her husband that she was the one who saw him first. But let him believe it was him who saw her first, however, she knew with every bone in her body that it was her.

When I asked her how she could be so sure, she said because he was not looking at her. She kept staring at him, hoping he would look her way and he when he did. She smiled and that was when he sat next to her. Somehow her hand slipped on his lap and then she said it, "What happens between doors is no ones business."

I couldn't help smiling, thankful Ms. Joan wasn't going to give sexual details about her and Mr. Joan. But she did say, "letting him know how she felt was the best thing she could have done." I said, she was lucky but she responded with, "Didn't you hear what I said. You have to make your own luck. If I hadn't gone after him he wouldn't have been my husband but someone else’s.”

She reminds me so much of my mother.

Driving back to work I wonder if I’ll ever meet my true love somewhere unexpected. I may but would I be bold enough to act on the opportunity, like Joan was. Sadly I know if I were to see a man I felt a pull towards, I would be too scared to act. This is depressing.

I arrive at work feeling tired. Getting out of the car I look around, feeling so alone. Walking to the office.

"Congrats on the new place," Heather says.

"Thanks, when its somewhat together, you'll have to come over. I'm going to stay in the apartment for at least a week."

"I'd love to...look I know this is short notice, but the movers are coming here tonight to make the office switch. The good news is that starting tomorrow I’ll be your secretary."

"Nice, I only have a few things to pack. So I am good."

"Oh, your dad is here. I didn't know your father is an attorney?"

"Yes, he is."

"Well he’s in the back with Mr. Grant."

My heart drops, why would he be here? I just talked to him a few hours ago. I better get this over with. I just don't like the idea of him talking to my boss. I can only imagine what stories they had between them. Then I start wondering if Mom knew Mr. Grant. Questions flood my mind and unfortunately an uneasiness weighs my tummy.

Walking to Mr. Grant's office, I hear my father's loud laughs before seeing him. When Mr. Grant's sees me, at the threshold, he gets up from behind his desk to say, "Julie, your father surprised both of us."

Dad turns around from where he sits so we can have eye contact, "How did the closing go?"

"Fine, just a little surprised you’re here,” I say, feeling like he has some alternative motive.

"Well, I was in the area ,and I wanted to personally congratulate you becoming a homeowner."

Mr. Grant looks surprised, "Where's the new place?" He asks.

“On Chestnut Street, a few streets away from downtown."

"Oh, I know the street well. It's actually a really nice street; I represented an older couple who lived on the block. Their name escapes me now, but I do remember they owned two houses next to each other. I am sure they are worth a million a piece by now. I do know that wife drove that man to his grave."

My chest tightens, he had to be talking about Ms. Joan. The conversation suddenly became uncomfortable. I felt like I was walking on eggshells, a wave of rushed down my spine. Hoping the conversation would be short lived. What a small world.

"I specifically remember the husband wanting to move to Italy somewhere, but his wife would have no part of it. She loved the area, and was a big gardner. He really wanted to sell at least one of the homes...his name was Theo Carter...yeah that's right. He was a sweet man."

I smile, taking a deep breath. "The name doesn't seem familiar."

"Well, your lucky for it. The Mrs' was a piece of work. I wonder if she finally died. I think they had a daughter, probably around your age Julie."

Dad looks at Mr. Grant, "She sounds like a fine woman."

"Well, you would know," Mr. Grants says, “Anyway,l it was nice seeing you, please come by more often. But don't try taking your daughter, she’s already making a good name for herself."

'Well. maybe one day she will work with me, but I can see she is happy here."

"Nice seeing you again, Richard. Come around again," Mr. Grant says, as he picks up his cell phone to take a call.

Dad gets up, follows as I walk to my office.

"This is a small office, but nice."

"Well, not for long, the office is moving upstairs tonight, and I was told my new office is twice the size, overlooking the city."

"Things are certainly moving nicely for you."

"Yes, it has been, as you see I have a stack of files needing my attention, not to rush you but I do need to get to them."

"That's right, I had forgotten why I am here, well now that you are a homeowner. I wanted to give you this," he says, as he takes a small box from his jacket pocket. "Here you go."

"What's this?"

"Open it up," he says. "It was your mother's. I've been wanting to give it to you but I was waiting for the right time. I wanted it to be a time you would always remember, like buying your first house.

My hands shake, feeling my throat knot up. I slowly take the top off. I see a small ring box. I am afraid to open it, hoping it is not the ring my mother did not want. I still remember that day. It was their anniversary and dad came home with roses and the ring. I remember being so excited, happy that my dad was finally going to give Mom something nice. I stood behind her, ecstatic seeing the ring box. My dad's eyes were on my Mom, he too had wide, happy eyes. But when Mom opened the box; she didn't even want to touch the ring. She closed it and told my father to return it. She then got up from the kitchen chair and walked to the master bedroom. I could hear her crying. I wanted so much for her to want the ring, but the next day my dad returned it. At least I thought he did.

"Come on, open it."

I take the top off and see my Mother's favorite blue star necklace; the one I thought was buried with her.

"Dad, how could this be?"

"I had one made just for you."

"I love it. I know you and mom had problems but why did they get out of control. I still don't know everything," I ask, feeling my chest cave in. Emotions pulling at my heart, wishing I wasn't so damn sensitive.

Well, she wasn't the easiest person to live with but I did it for a long time," Dad says. I thought to myself, yeah right, what is the real reason.

Ever since I was a little girl I have been able to read between the lines, I knew what people were really saying. I went on to perfect this skill in law school.

What my Dad was saying was a cover-up, to make him look good. Thanks Dad, this now gave me the push I needed to start reading my mom’s journals. Dad was right that she wasn't an easy person to live with, but still I would never say this to anyone, and I believed she had her reasons.