CHAPTER TEN
It didn’t get any better the next day. He was hearing court cases thinking about her. He was assigning judges and administering the duties of the fourth circuit court in his official capacity as chief judge all while still unable to stop thinking about her. When Artie walked into his chambers late that evening, he had had enough of thinking and had given in. He was on the phone with the hospital again.
“Good evening,” JJ said to his former brother-in-law. “Didn’t expect to see you today.”
“After the way you cussed me out last night, you mean?” asked Artie.
“After the way you came at me, is what I meant, yes.”
Artie smiled. “You always have to get the last word, don’t you?” Then he pointed at the phone. “On hold?”
“Yes.” Then the hospital personnel came back onto the phone. “Yes, I’m still here. LaTisha, that’s correct. I’m not sure of the spelling, but I think it’s L-A-T-I-S-H-A.” Then he frowned. “Discharged?” That was surprising to JJ. She could barely press a button last night or eat food on her own, but she was discharged already? “When?” When he was told around noon, he was gravely concerned. “That hospital had better hope nothing happens to her,” he said angrily and ended the call.
“Not that girl again,” said Artie.
But JJ was rising and grabbing the suitcoat off the back of his chair.
“Where are you going?”
He was putting on his coat: Armani double-breasted. “My work day is done.”
“But we need to discuss the campaign, JJ. We need to put this bad boy in higher gear now. The debates are coming up and you haven’t even began prep yet.”
“Set it up and I’ll do it,” JJ said and left the chambers.
Artie shook his head. “What is with that guy?” he said out loud. “That chick must have the Hope diamond between those legs!”
“Excuse me?”
He looked up, startled, and saw JJ’s beautiful law clerk standing there. “Hello Reeva,” he said with an embarrassed look on his face. Then he forgot his shame, as he usually did, and smiled. “What are you doing for dinner, darling?”