The Lawyer

by Olivia Saxton

  Trish’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious?”

  “All you have to do is sign the papers,” David said and reached behind him again for the divorce papers.

  Trish stood up. David handed her the papers and a pen from his front pocket. She placed the papers on the desk.

  “Sign on the second page,” he said.

  She did so without hesitation.

  “Flip to page four and initial,” David said.

  She did.

  “And sign the last page.”

  Which she did.

  David smiled and handed her the list of assets. “The list of assets you can keep for your records until I can mail you a copy of-”

  Trish quickly threw her arms around David’s neck and gave him a kiss on his mouth. She broke the kiss just as quickly as she started it.

  He looked down into her eyes. “You know this is breaking professional conduct.”

  “Yes, I do.” she admitted and smiled. She started to move her hands away.

  David caught her by the waist. “Oh no, too late to correct yourself now.”

  Trish smiled. “I suppose it is.”

  They came together in a searing kiss. Trish dropped the papers she was holding. David tugged at her white cotton coat. “Take it off,” he demanded against her lips.

  She shrugged out of the coat and let it drop on the floor. His hands quickly unbuttoned her purple silk blouse, revealing her black bra. Trish loosened his tie and started unbuttoning his shirt. She rubbed his muscular chest as David started pushing things off the desk and onto the floor.

  David hiked her up on the desk that was now bare for the exception of his computer. She swung her legs on the desk and parted them, and David climbed onto the desk. He was on his knees in the space between her legs. She reached for his black belt and unfastened it. David thrust both hands in her hair. He watched her as she unbuttoned and unzipped his pants. Trish shoved her hands down the back of his pants, caressing his buttocks. David groaned as he slowly leaned down to signal her to lie flat. Trish kept her soft hands in his pants.

  He took her hot, welcoming mouth again, and she moaned against his lips. David lapped at her mouth- then started laying kisses down her cheek, stopping at her neck. He kissed and sucked at the sensitive part between her neck and shoulder.

  Her right hand squeezed his buttocks as she let out a soft moan. “Oh God, is this really happening?”

  “Hmmm,” he murmured as he continued to kiss her neck. One hand moved down to her breast. David cupped it and applied pressure.

  “Oh, David. Are you sure it isn’t too soon?”

  He lifted his head and looked down at her. Her eyes were half closed, and her lipstick was smeared. “It’s not soon enough. I dream about you in my arms every night,” he said and kissed her. “I lie awake at night wishing you were there to hold- to kiss.” He kissed her again, but this time it lasted a moment longer. He pulled away and said, “And to make love to you.”

  They came together in a kiss full of want and need.

  The door swung open. “David! Shit!” Ted exclaimed at the sight of them.

  Trish gasped and closed her blouse, holding it closed with her hands.

  David stood on his knees staring dead at Ted. David’s face grew red with frustration. “Somebody better be sick or dead, Teddy. If not, get out.”

  Ted looked down. “I’m sorry. You- you know I’m not a pussy blocker. The world would be a better place if everyone had sex on the regular.”

  Trish rolled her eyes.

  “Ted! What do you want?” David said.

  “I need you to come with me to the police station …right now,” Ted said and walked in the room without looking at them.

  David climbed off the desk. Trish immediately got up and turned her back to button her blouse.

  “Why?”

  “Mom got arrested,” he said flatly as he surveyed the floor full of files, papers, paper clips, pens, and pencils.

  “Mom? Our Mom?”

  “Uh, yeah. Why do you think I came in here like a wild man? She’s been trying to call you. Your service didn’t know where you were, so Mom ended up calling me,” Ted said as he stared at the phone that was on its side on the floor.

  David remembered that he told Mrs. Hinkle to forward the phone to the service, so he wouldn’t be disturbed while she was gone. “What did she get arrested for? Maxing out her credit card?” David asked with disbelief.

  “She got accused of…shoplifting.” Ted said.

  David and Trish’s eyes baulked.

  “From what I understand, from her frantic ranting, she was at the mall. A boutique was having some sort of thirty percent off sale. She went to the counter, paid for her items, and started to leave the store. What Mom didn’t know was that a bra was hanging on her purse. It must have snagged on her bag as she walked through the aisles at some point. She headed for the exit and the alarm went off. Before she knew it, a sales clerk grabbed her and yelled for mall security.”

  “Where’s Dad?” David asked with a shocked look on his face. He tucked his shirt in and adjusted his pants.

  Ted finally looked up at them. “He’s working at the hospital today - and besides, Mom needs a lawyer not a doctor.”

  “Unbelievable,” David said and started buttoning up his shirt.

  “You better hurry, David. You don’t want her spending the night in lockup,” Trish said softly, picking up her coat.

  “Tell me you can get her out today, David. Judging how she sounded on the phone she’s freaking out already. And Dad will blow a gasket if she has to spend the night with hookers, drug addicts, and who knows who else.”

  David looked up and let out a long, frustrated breath.

  Chapter 28

  It was Christmas Eve and Trish felt empty. She loved the decorations of Christmas time, but she hated the feeling she was experiencing. Even though Mr. Jacobs and Darlene were like family, she was lonely. This was the first time in nine years she would spend Christmas as a single woman. Trish found herself thinking about her parents and grandparents. Her mother loved Christmas time, and her grandmother would give out free coffee on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at her restaurant. Trish blamed herself for her mood. She never should have gone to the cemetery that morning of all mornings to put flowers on her loved ones’ graves.

  All the constants in her life were gone. She was thankful for the Jacobs, but it wasn’t the same. They were the true father-daughter tag team. Trish was the adopted divorcee orphan. For the last two days, she had put on a brave and happy face in public, yet inside- pain, loneliness, and sadness filled her heart. She began to wonder if the people in her life loved her for her. Did they really know her?

  Tears filled her eyes as she lay on her back on the couch in her apartment. Her knees hung over the armrest, letting her feet dangle off the side. A red candle burned on the kitchen island, and she watched the flame flicker on the candle. Her cell phone rang.

  She reached over to the coffee table to pick it up. “Hello,” she answered in a monotone.

  “Trish?” David said with a quizzical tone.

  “Hey, David. What’s up?” she said, struggling to sound normal.

  “What’s wrong? You sound weird.”

  “Maybe because I am a little weird,” she joked.

  “Ha. Are you busy?”

  “Not really. I’m just hanging out in my apartment. Why?”

  “I called to invite you to my parents’ house tonight. Everyone is here, and some folks here are dying to see you again.”

  “What folks?” Trish asked with suspension.

  “If you come over here, your questions will be answered.”

  “I can’t. I’m really…tired. Maybe I can catch up with you and your family tomorrow.”

  “Uh huh. Where’s Darlene and Mr. Jacobs?”

  “Darlene went to the community center. She’s helping out with the children’s Christmas program. Mr. Jacobs went to hang out with his buddies for so
me Christmas male bonding or something. After all that, Darlene and Mr. Jacobs are going to meet at church for the Christmas service.”

  “Are you going to the service?”

  “No.”

  “You’re depressed, aren’t you?”

  “No,” she said defensively. “I’m just worn out. This has been…the busiest holiday season I have had in a couple of years.”

  “It’s not like you to turn down social activities.”

  “Well, maybe you don’t know me as well as you thought.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Nothing. It was a statement. I need downtime like everyone else. I don’t always act like I’m hyped up on caffeine.”

  “I don’t think you’re always hyped on caffeine. You’re awfully defensive tonight. You’re upset and depressed.”

  “I am not.”

  “The holidays can be hard on some people. You know what helps?”

  “No, but I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

  “Being around people that care about you.”

  “David, I’m tired.”

  “Who’s the grouch now?”

  She let out a groan.

  He chuckled. “Come on, sweetheart. Everyone’s dying to see you.”

  “My plan tonight is to fall asleep on my friendly living room couch. Really, I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”

  The line went quiet.

  “David?”

  “Trish,” a woman said. “This is Elizabeth Shaw.”

  Trish was shocked that David’s mother was on the phone. “Oh, Mrs. Shaw. How are you?” Trish struggled to sit up on the couch.

  “Not good. I hear you don’t want to come to my party tonight.”

  “Well…I- I appreciate the invitation. I just don’t want to impose.”

  “You won’t be imposing. We heard you moved back to Clary, and we are dying to see you. So, you bring your little tooshie over here PDQ. The address is 3030 Nicholas Lane, Claremont Estates. It’s a brown brick two-story house with white Christmas lights.”

  “Yes, I know the address, but, Mrs. Shaw, I-”

  “But, nothing. I won’t take no for an answer. If you won’t come on your own, I’ll send Richard to fetch you.”

  The last thing Trish wanted was to go to a Christmas party and for Dr. Shaw to leave his own party to come pick her up. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll be over in forty minutes.”

  “Good. See you when you get here,” Mrs. Shaw said and hung up.

  Trish flipped her phone closed. “Damn, I don’t remember her being so pushy.” She let out an exasperated breath and got off the couch.

  *******

  Trish freshened up and put on an ivory sweater and matching stirrup pants. Knowing she had to put on a performance of Christmas cheer, she also donned her Santa Clause hat. Since the Shaws lived in one of the most prosperous areas of town, Trish pulled out her fox fur. Just like her mother, she wasn’t going to let a bunch of rich folks show up a downtown girl.

  Luckily, she had a habit of buying one or two extra gift baskets for Christmas – just in case she forgot to get someone a gift. There were two rolls of beef sausage, one block of Swiss cheese, one block of cheddar cheese, two packs of gourmet crackers, and a jar of cheese spread in the basket. She grabbed a bottle of Chardonnay from her kitchen cabinet.

  She totted the items as she walked the two blocks to the Shaw house. That was the closest she could park. Apparently, everyone in the neighborhood was having a party.

  Trish stomped past the luxury cars as she complained and cursed into the night. “The last thing I want to be doing is carrying this crap in high heeled boots for forty blocks. Christmas my ass. Damn, damn, damn.”

  “Now that’s not a good attitude or nice language to use on Christmas Eve,” a male voice said.

  The voice came from the walkway in front of someone’s house. Trish looked over to see a tall man dressed in full Santa Clause garb. “Well, I be damned, Santa.”

  “Ho, ho, ho. What has a pretty girl like you got to be mad about on Christmas Eve?”

  “I’m cold and grouchy. What are you doing on the sidewalk? Aren’t you supposed to be riding in your sleigh delivering toys?” she asked with a hint of sarcasm.

  “The reindeer needed a break. Now, what has you so riled up, young lady?” he asked as he walked to her- still spouting his Santa voice.

  Trish turned her nose up at him. “Do you really care? You don’t even know me. And why would I tell my problems to some stranger?”

  “Well, I’m not a complete stranger. I’m known all around the world. I care about all children no matter how old they get.”

  She twisted her mouth and thought for a moment. Sometimes it was better to talk to strangers. You usually don’t see them again. “It’s Christmas, and I have no one. Everyone I have ever loved or loved me is either dead or gone.”

  Santa’s eyes grew concerned. “Dead? Gone?”

  Trish swayed back and forth for a moment. “Yes. See, my divorce just became final. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to be rid of my husband - he turned into a cheating money-grabbing jerk - but we were married for nine years. He was the first and only serious boyfriend I ever had, my childhood sweetheart, my first love. I sacrificed so much so he could become a doctor. I even sold my grandmother’s restaurant to help pay for his education. After my parents died, he was the only person I had left. He left me for some old lady with money,” she spat out in a high-pitched voice.

  “I see. What about your parents?”

  “My mother died first. She was hit by a drunk driver,” Trish said sadly.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. It’s hard to lose a loved one unexpectedly.”

  “I just turned eighteen. My father died a couple years later. Complications with pneumonia, but I think he died of a broken heart. He wasn’t the same after Mom died. I never should have left him. I…I…was going to Clary University. I wanted to be close to home, but Robert, my now ex-husband, got into medical school in L.A. He asked me to marry him and come with him. He even asked my father’s permission. My father agreed, I dropped out of college, married Robert at the courthouse, and went to L.A. My father said he was happy for me, but he would miss me. God knows, if I- if I knew he was going to die two years later, I would’ve insisted he come with us,” Trish said as she fought back tears. She took a couple of deep breaths to get herself under control and continued. “My grandmother died of old age. She left me her restaurant. She knew Dad didn’t want it. He loved construction and landscaping. That’s what he did. He owned his own construction business. He said it was his dream.”

  Santa’s eyes crinkled like he was smiling. “Your father wanted you to live your life. All fathers want their little girls to be happy. And at that time, that’s what made you happy. Don’t feel guilty about his death. He wouldn’t want that.”

  “Oh, I know, I think. I guess I was asking for a dose of reality when I went to the cemetery this morning.”

  “You went to the cemetery on Christmas Eve?”

  “I know. Crazy right? But, I kept putting it off since I moved back to Clary. I put flowers on my parents’ and grandparents’ graves. I never knew my grandfather. He died a couple of months before I was born.”

  “Surely, you have friends,” Santa said with concern.

  “I do. I have my girl, Darlene. We’ve been best friends since we were little- because our fathers were best friends, you see. Her dad is my godfather. They treat me like family, but it’s not the same. Sometimes, I feel out of place. It isn’t anything that they do. I don’t know what it is.”

  “Loved ones are missed the most around the holidays. It’s natural. But, the best way to honor loved ones who are gone is to be happy and live the best life you can. Also, you have to remember the people who are still in your life care about you very much.”

  Trish smiled. “Yes, and I care about them. I’d kill for Darlene and Mr. Jacobs.”

  Santa ho-ho-hoed. “Hopefully, it won’t come
to that. And as far as your ex-husband goes, I’ll make sure he’ll get two truckloads of coal this Christmas.”

  Trish smiled again. “I would take great joy in that. But, I think Robert might already be gnawing at the bit.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yes, my lawyer, who by the way, I am convinced is the best lawyer in the city and no one knows it; really nailed him. He got me a bigger settlement than I originally asked for. I can’t imagine Robert was happy about it.”

  “Sounds like you got your Christmas gift early this year. That’s something to be grateful for. And sounds like your ex deserved to be knocked down a peg in the wallet.”

  Trish was grinning from ear to ear now. “Yes. I am grateful, and now that you mention it, it does seem like I took some steam out of Robert’s stride.” She giggled and Santa chuckled.

  “I think you got the last laugh and will continue to have it as long as you keep your spirits bright and be open to new possibilities.”

  Trish smiled. “Yeah. My life could be worse.”

  “That’s right.”

  “I never thought I would say this as an adult, but thanks, Santa.”

  “Ho, ho, ho,” he said joyfully.

  Trish laughed.

  “Where are you heading, pretty one?”

  “I’m going to the Shaw party.”

  “That’s my next stop. Is it okay if Santa walks with you there?”

  “Of course,” Trish said.

  “Why don’t you let me carry that basket for you? I promise I let you have the credit,” he said and stretched his hands out.

  “Thank you,” she said and handed it to him.

  They started walking up the sidewalk.

  “Do you do this every year? Come to this neighborhood.”

  “I’ve gone door to door every year on Christmas Eve for thirteen years in this neighborhood. If I didn’t show up, everyone would be disappointed. Especially, the little boys and girls.”

  “It’s sweet that you take time out of your own life to do that.” Trish said.

  “I’m Santa. It’s my job to spread Christmas cheer.”