Chapter 24 #2
I’m two seconds off his ass. When I stand, security by the stage puffs out his chest and steps forward, but I don’t give a fuck. Richardson is lying, trying to ruin my wife’s career. I step forward anyway and my wife locks eyes with me then waves her hand as Alex grabs my hand.
“That’s all Richardson wants. Don’t,” Alex pleads and my wife nods.
Still furious though, I back down and ease back into my seat. If this bitch says something else though, my wife’s pleading eyes or her hand wave won’t be able to stop me.
“That’s a strong allegation, and if false, can lead to serious repercussions and end your run for judge,” Anja says.
“The only defense to defamation is the truth and I’m not lying. Am I, Your Honor?” he asks.
“Giselle is not here to correct you, so I will. Her name is not Madame Giselle, it’s just Giselle.
Madame has a negative connotation and implies illegal activities, which she does not partake in.
She runs a legal service that you may or may not have used yourself.
I don’t know, which is why I’m not making that allegation.
Unfortunately, you did not give me that same courtesy and that’s a shame.
I’m here to discuss the law, our justice system, and the equitable administration of the law.
The fact that you aren’t speaks volumes to our Crescent Falls residents,” she says calmly and eloquently, then turns to face Anja.
“Thank you for remaining professional and keeping this on topic and thank you to those in attendance. Remember to vote on November fifth. Thank you and good night.” Mireya turns to walk toward the back.
I stand, brush past security, and meet her at the door.
Alex and Kyrah are right behind me. When I open it, she walks right into my arms. “Oh God,” she cries.
Duke rushes over to us. “What the hell!” he exclaims. “We have to do damage control ASAP.”.
“Just take me home,” she utters to me but Kyrah hears.
“Where’s her stuff?” Kyrah asks Duke.
“She can’t leave! She needs to go back out there and emphatically deny his allegation.”
“The debate is over. We are done and she’s leaving,” I say, then push past Duke. “Her bag is down here in the room. I got it though.” They follow me to the room, and once inside, I grab her two bags and cell phone. Kyrah and Alex wrap their arms around her.
“Fuck him,” Alex says.
“Right! And you dragged him too. You won that and no one is going to care about what shit he said,” Kyrah adds.
“But how did he know?” Alex whispers, but I hear her loud and clear.
How did he know? What the fuck! I know that shit’s not true, but now isn’t the time to ask. However, I’m definitely going to ask her what the hell Alex meant.
“I’ll call y’all later,” she tells her friends before we walk out of the room. Duke is right there waiting, but before he can rattle anything off, she stops him. “I’ll call you in the morning.”
“I’ll just get on your calendar,” he counters with a sigh. That is not what he wanted to hear.
Kyrah and Alex walk out with us and follow me to my ride. They hug her again before we pull off. As soon as we are on the road, her cell rings.
“Giselle,” she utters before she answers.
“Hey… You didn’t do anything… Giselle, stop apologizing…
I said what I said tonight and I’m standing on it…
I know. I know… I don’t know either… But not tonight…
I’ll stop by after court tomorrow… Okay, then after three…
I love you too.” The moment she ends the call, her phone rings again.
“Damn, back-to-back.” She looks at the screen.
“Oh, it’s Shuga.” This time she answers on speaker. “Hey.”
“Hey. Are you okay?” Shuga asks with concern.
“Yeah,” Mireya sighs. “I’m okay. We’re in the car heading home to Diamond Falls. Niya has school in the morning.”
“Don’t worry about her. I can take her,” Shuga says.
“Her lunch box and food are at the house, Shuga. We’re coming,” I interject.
“I’m sure I have something to put lunch in, and if you remember, I had five boys. I know how to fix a lunch and I know what my little princess likes. I got this.”
“Shuga, you also packed a whole fish for our lunch. Please don’t do that to my baby girl,” I say, remembering the lunches she would pack. If we had it for dinner, we were having it for lunch. I was glad when I made it to middle school and ate the school lunches.
“She likes fish,” Shuga says.
“Shuga, no,” I say.
“I can order something and have it delivered. I’ll see what she wants,” Shuga says.
“Her new obsession is charcuterie boards. You know that container you use for your Suya dips? You can fill that with different things you might have: grapes, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese, and little rolls of lunchmeat,” Mireya says.
“And no fish,” I add, and my wife grins, replacing the tight look on her face.
“Yeah, Nana. I want that,” Niya says in the background and my wife looks at me. We had no idea she was around or could hear us.
“Hey, sweetie,” Mireya says. “Help your Nana make your chuttery for lunch, okay? Show her how.”
“I got it,” Niya assures her.
“Hey, baby girl,” I greet.
“Hey, Daddy. You coming here?” Niya asks.
“No. But I’ll pick you up from school tomorrow. You’re staying with Nana and she’s taking you to school. Be good for her, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Good night, baby girl.”
“Dream sweet,” she says.
“Alright, Shuga. I’ll call you tomorrow. Good night.”
“Y’all have a good night,” Shuga says, then ends the call.
“I guess we’re going to the condo,” my wife says, then places her hand on my leg. “I need a hot bath and the bed.” She sighs. “And I have to tell you what that was all about. But after my bath, okay?”