“Dad, listen, I needed to quit. Stop freaking out on me and just listen,” I demanded into the phone for the fourth time since the conversation started.
“You can’t just quit your job without a plan, Franny. Why did you do this? Was it because that boy is your client? Did he do something to you?” His questions bombarded and overwhelmed me.
“This has nothing to do with Cade, and just so you know, I’m still his lawyer. It has to do with the fact that Mr. Phillips and Mr. Lemming told me I would never get any higher than I was. I had no hope at promotion. You wanna know why, Dad?” I fired at him. I paced my bedroom, rubbing my temples with my free hand. He was frustrating me.
“Yes, I do want to know why,” he smarted back.
“Because I’m a woman. If you’d had a son, then I could be a partner at J & B Law firm, but since I’m a woman, it’s a no go,” I spewed out sarcastically. I’d called to tell him I planned to open my own firm but as soon as the words were out I quit, he’d went on a rampage. “None of that matters though, Dad. I called to tell you I want to start my own law office and was wondering if you could help me out.” He stayed silent for a long time. He reminded me of Cade’s dad. I sighed, throwing my body across my bed. “Dad?”
“I’m proud of you,” he said quietly. “You did the right thing.”
His words shocked me. They were unexpected given his recent tirade about quitting. “Thanks, Dad.” I smiled as the words crossed my lips.
“I’ll do whatever I can to help you. I think I know of a building with an office for rent. I’ll call and see how much it is,” he said. His voice rose in excitement, causing me to grin widely. Dad was always the type to freak out first, enjoy later.
“No hurry, Dad. We can wait until next week. I have some stuff to sort out, I have to talk to Zander, and I still have a court date Friday morning.”
“What does Zander have to do with this? And how did you manage to keep the client?” he questioned. He genuinely sounded intrigued by the situation.
“Zander McKinney overheard my performance appraisal and quit right after. He’s been encouraging me to open my own place for a while, so I told him he could work for me. He’s still working on his degree, but he has his paralegal license, so he’ll be an asset. As for the client…,” I started, feeling nervous. It was odd still that Cade himself wouldn’t talk to me and I didn’t want my dad picking up on that. “His dad is paying for the services, so I called to inform him of the situation. He wants me to keep the case.”
“He’s a good kid. You concentrate on the case. I’ll find you a building. Do you have money saved up?” My dad always thought of the financial and business aspect of all situations. He had always been that way. The organized planner of the family. My mom was more carefree and spontaneous about life. I was more like him than her.
“Ok, Dad. Don’t sign any leases or anything,” I reminded him. Sometimes he forgot that I was an adult and made these decisions myself, so I found it best to gently push him in the direction I wanted him to go. It usually worked.
“Yeah, I know, Kiddo. Don’t worry,” he chuckled. I could hear his smile through the phone. “How’s everything else?”
“Good. I have to take Hamlet to the vet later or in the morning to see if I can take the bowl off. I’m pretty excited about this whole firm thing. I really just want to go to the office supply store and buy it out,” I laughed.
He groaned, “You women and your shopping. You’re just like your mother.”
I laughed loudly at that. “Thanks, Dad.”
“It’s true!” he exclaimed, his laughter bellowing loudly in my ear. “I’m going to tell your mom the good news. Call us later?”
“Of course. Love you, Daddy.”
“Love you, baby girl. Proud of you.”
The line clicked off, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again.
The vet’s office was busy for a Wednesday afternoon. I gave the receptionist my appointment card, grasping Hamlet to me as he wiggled to get free. I mentally reminded myself to get a carrier for him. I wouldn’t come out of this without scratches.
“Are you Mrs. Kelling?” the blonde Barbie doll asked sweetly.
Her words shook me. I stammered, “Uh…NO…um…I’m Francesca Taymon. A friend brought Hamlet last time.” My explanation was rocky. I hadn’t expected her to mention Cade much less think I was his wife. I should have known better, he had to have given them his name last time.
“I apologize. I’ve got you checked in. We’ll call you back shortly.” She gave me a hundred watt grin.
“Thanks,” I said, smiling. My mind was reeling. Everywhere I went, everything I did was somehow connected to Cade. Everyone reminded me of him. Places brought back our past memories. I couldn’t escape him and I didn’t know why. Were we meant to be? Or was this just fate’s way of laughing in my face? I’d never been the type of woman that needed a man, and I wouldn’t change that. I didn’t need Cade, but I wanted him in every possible way. To see his face every morning, feel his breath on my face as he leaned in to allow his lips to devour mine. To hear his laughter, his voice echoing through my mind, filling me with a deep sense of love, belonging, and serenity; I wanted to touch his skin, my fingers caressing every inch of his delicious body; to taste his lips, his tongue as it connected with mine, sending shivers all over my body. Maybe being with Cade was a need…my body needed him more than I realized. He was a part of me, whether I wanted him to be or not. We fit together, in every sense, perfectly. Yes, he had a drinking problem, and I possessed low self-esteem…but together…together we were amazing. We could do anything, go anywhere. Our lives were destined to cross, not just once, but twice. It wasn’t just coincidence, or Cade’s dad, that allowed us to meet again after so many years. It was much more. The universe had made us for each other and it was time I stop fighting it. I knew the truth now. He couldn’t have saved my sister…but he tried. And he’d wanted to come to me. Why was I so stupid for so long? No more, I decided. I didn’t care if I had to wait five more years, I would tell Cade how I felt. Not at the justice center, obviously, but perhaps Friday. It was time he knew. I had to release these feelings, have them out in the open, so I no longer wondered what if. It was such a stupid thing, to constantly wonder what could have happened if only things had been different. What if’s were just the minds way of trying to make you crazy. Dwelling on an event, an occurrence in life, was a great way to make you lost it. You knew the outcome and you knew you couldn’t go back in time, yet you sat and thought of every possibility had you decided differently. What if’s were stupid, really.
“Hamlet?” the Barbie from the desk called. She stood just behind the gate that allowed access to the rooms.
I gathered Hammy tightly in my arms, he was a squirmy little thing, and moved forward.
“Room three,” she instructed, pointing in the direction I was supposed to go.
“Thanks,” I said, scratching behind Hammy’s ears as I walked to the room. I sat him down, after closing the door, and waited. I stopped my mind from wandering to Cade. I’d had enough of that today.
Daphne: have you heard from him?
I loved her more than most people, but I didn’t want to talk to her about Cade anymore. She didn’t approve, for whatever reason, probably because he’d hurt me. I couldn’t blame her, I’d kill someone if they hurt her.
Daphne: don’t ignore me. I’m not mad and I won’t talk bad about lover boy.
Me: I heard from Cason. He said something happened and Cade would talk to me Friday.
Daphne: really? You think he’s alive?
Me: I’m assuming yes since I’ll talk to him Friday. Last I checked I couldn’t speak to ghosts.
Daphne: sarcasm, doll. I hope it works out. I like him, I just don’t like that he disappears on you like this.
Me: I know. I would be same with you. Come over later? I got a lot to tell you.
Daphne: Sure
, I’ll be over after you get off work.
Me: Yeah…just come whenever. Not at work. Tell you when you get here.
I hadn’t had time to tell her. When I tried contacting her yesterday, she’d never replied. She was busy with her job, so I hadn’t pushed her. I didn’t like being the center of attention, so I prayed she wouldn’t make a big deal about it. Daphne knew a lot of people in town, so she would come in handy when I opened my firm. She’d always hated my job, almost as much as I did, and wanted me to quit. I anticipated she would be excited.
I sat on the couch, tapping the ballpoint to my lips. I needed to finish my list, as well as make one for Friday. My first day in court was fast approaching and the excitement was almost too much. I got to argue for the first time and see Cade.
Mangled Hearts Page 27