Chapter Five
Ari
Seated behind my desk, I opened another document on my screen. Winning that case had been great and even earned me a bonus, but in this business, I could only rest on my laurels for so long. About a day and a half. The next one was already well underway, and jury selection began in less than a week.
We employed a service to help with that in some cases, depending partly on our client’s budget, and this one was pro bono. So, it was all on me, and I needed to be sure I knew everything there was to know about the qualities I needed in those who would decide my client’s future.
Jerry was broke due to excessive medical bills incurred by his late husband’s long-term
illness. When I was assigned this case, I’d nearly declined it. I still hoped I’d do it justice because—
A rap sounded on my door, and I called, “Come in.”
Judy, my assistant, poked her head in. “Can I get you a coffee or anything?”
“Only if you’re going for yourself.” We had a machine that made just about anything, but Judy knew I liked the brews from the tiny kiosk down the block.
“I am.” She stepped inside and shook her head at me. “But, seriously, you shouldn’t feel guilty about letting me help you.”
“I don’t. Not about things related to cases. But you’re not my personal servant.”
She snorted. “Tell my last boss that. Anyway, the usual?”
I pulled out a twenty and waved it at her. “And whatever you want.”
It hadn’t taken long for her to learn I wouldn’t take no for an answer in such matters, and I settled back in to work, anticipating my afternoon treat. But even an iced matcha latte with chocolate-espresso whipped cream couldn’t make it any easier to face the case of a man who’d lost his love in such a painful way.
Something I understood all too well.
There was one big difference between his loss and mine. He had someone to blame, a doctor whose carelessness had blown the one chance to save his patient. We could go into court and do our very best to convince a jury that if things had been handled better, more responsibly, my client would still be happily sleeping beside the man he adored every night.
No such luxury for me.
“Here you go, boss.” Judy set the cup down on my desk and eyed me curiously. I hadn’t even heard her come in. “You feeling all right?”
“Oh yes.” I tried to smile at her, but it probably looked more like a grimace. “Just thinking. Thanks for the drink.”
“Here’s your change.” She plopped it down next to the cup. “You’re probably the only one in this building who carries cash, you know.”
I blinked at her. “Really? Then how would I give you money to buy my coffee?”
“They take cards. And most of the others use the company card for their drinks.”
I’d never thought about that. “Not just for meetings or appointments with clients?”
She let out a sigh that came from her toes. “You need to take advantage of the perks that come with being a partner, sir.”
“Ari.”
“I was making a point.”
And I was clueless. “Do you have a few minutes to discuss our upcoming jury selection?” Technically my assistant, Judy was also in law school and had a keen mind. One day, she’d be a fine attorney.
“Ari, I work for you. You get to decide what I have time to do and what can wait.” Still, she plopped into one of the guest chairs in front of my desk. “Now, what are we thinking?” She turned my screen to face her and poised her fingers over the keys.
An hour and a half later, with Judy’s able assistance, I had a profile created to help me with jury selection. I would still run it by the in-house expert, but it wouldn’t change. I couldn’t give the client even another minute with his partner, but I could recoup his medical costs and give him some extra money to grieve in their home he was currently in danger of losing.
And, if all went well, maybe he’d have more than that.
I sent my assistant home and opened another file, but now that I was alone, my mind went back to the wound this case was rapidly reopening.
No, I didn’t have a little currently, and I wasn’t sure I ever would again. Not someone full-time or even mine for all little activities. A playdate or scene, sure, but preferably not too often with the same little. My daddy soul needed the company of other daddies and their littles. But Marty and I had been together for over eight years when he woke up feeling “a little off,” one day. Six months later, I was holding an urn containing what remained of the man I thought I’d spend the rest of my life with.
Fuck cancer.
The little I saw reading that picture book was the first one to really catch my eye in three years. Marty would hate the way I was living.
I picked up the phone and called another friend, a single daddy like me. “Up for a night at Chained?”
“Absolutely.” I could almost hear him smiling over the line. “What time?”