CHAPTER NINE #2
I know what she’s referring to and I refuse to acknowledge or make Everly feel uncomfortable.
“Ms. Hutchins is a client with the firm. She owns a modeling agency,” I tell Everly.
“Oh, don’t be so modest, Lincoln,” Blaire says, reaching over and squeezing my upper arm. “I only sign the world’s best models.” She’s giving me her best bedroom eyes look, and I can’t help but feel uncomfortable, so I can only imagine what Everly must feel like.
“Are you guys coming to the table or should we eat without you?” Grandma’s voice yells from the door, and I’ve never been more grateful.
“Have a nice evening,” I tell Blaire, and before she can respond I’m ushering Everly around Blaire and through the door of the restaurant, following Grandma to our table towards the back.
My parents are already seated, and both stand as we approach.
“Sorry for running late,” I greet Mom with a peck on the cheek and a handshake to Dad. “Mom, Dad this is Everly Bryant. Everly, this is my mom, Alice, and my dad, Daniel,” I introduce.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” Everly shakes both of their hands and gives them a sweet smile. We take our seats with my woman sandwiched between me and Grandma.
“Whose idea was it to come here?” Grandma scrunches up her face while looking over the menu.
“I thought we could have a nice family meal while meeting Everly,” Mom says defending her choice.
“We could’ve done that at the burger joint two streets over. At least we know the food is edible there,” Grandma chides and I watch Grandpa smirk. Grandma tends to bluntly say what everyone else holds in.
I sit there and observe Everly, looking back and forth, as my mom and grandma continue to explain to each other their side as to why we should or shouldn’t be here.
“So Everly, our son tells us you’re a massage therapist,” Dad interrupts the conversation between the two women after a waiter comes around to get our drink orders.
“Yes sir, for the past three years,” she answers, and I reach over under the table and thread our fingers together.
“You didn’t want to go to college?” Mom questions, as she takes a sip from her wine glass.
Everly smiles, “No, I didn’t think college was for me. I had good grades in school, but I couldn’t see myself going another four years with a degree I wouldn’t use.”
“And your parents agreed with your choice?” Dad asks.
“Dad—” I go to intervene because it’s really none of his business why.
“I haven’t had contact with my mother since I was nine. And my dad fully supports my career decision.”
“I think it’s wonderful not to go into debt for something you’d never use,” Grandma pipes up. “Smart girl.”
“Thank you, Eleanor,” Everly sends a relieved nod towards her.
“Call me Grandma, dear.”
The waiter comes back and takes our order for dinner as the table goes quiet. Mom and Grandma go back and forth over where to have the next family vacation. When the meal comes, we tuck in.
“How are things going in the Barker case?” Dad asks between bites.
“As good as can be expected,” I say. I’ve told him about the instance with Kevin Jenkins and how he tried to sabotage me. He was floored that someone would go to such an extent.
“Let me know if you need a fresh pair of eyes.”
“I will,” I tell him, but I know I won’t. Talking business with him is not something I strive to do after I left his firm and opened mine.
“You both have successful firms. Why did you split from each other?” Everly innocently asks, not knowing the landmine she just stepped on. There is an immediate unease at the table now as she notices that everyone won’t make eye contact.
“My firm’s specialty is mostly divorces whereas Lincoln decided it wasn’t as glamorous, and left to have his face splashed all over the media.” Dad really seems so bitter; he’s not pulling any punches.
“Honey, let’s not do this here, in public. I thought the two of you worked through this?” Mom tries to mediate the ‘Great Debate’ .
“Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—” Everly tries to apologize for something she didn’t know was a hot button in our family.
I place a hand on her thigh, “It’s okay, you didn’t know but it’s something that you should. I left Dad’s firm because I wanted to venture out and do more than watch husbands and wives tear each other up for petty shit.”
“That’s not all we do, Lincoln and you know it,” Dad defends, tightening his hand on his tumbler.
“I told you why I switched and only take on certain types of cases. All those years, I thought making a name for myself outweighed what was morally right. I just don’t want you to be years down the road, having the same issues I suffer with.
You have no idea how I still struggle with certain cases. ”
I turn to Everly, “Dad used to specialize in the criminal defense area that I do now, but grew a conscience apparently.”
“That’s a low blow, son.” Dad fumes, then addresses Everly.
“I took on a case where my client was accused of killing a young woman in cold blood. From start to finish, it was a nightmare to handle, but I was the best, and wanted to make sure he was given a fair trial. The case took months in court, and we were able to prove that my client was being set up. The wrong place and time situation, but after the not guilty verdict, my client proceeded to congratulate my colleagues and I in helping him get away with the perfect crime. He then told us how he’d targeted the murder victim, and exactly how he did it.
I was sick for weeks, realizing the poor young lady and her family would never get the justice she so deserved.
I decided that I didn’t want to be a part of that anymore and switched the firm in a different direction. ”
I could hear Everly’s intake of breath. “Oh, that is so horrible. What happened to that client?”
“This was a long time ago, but last I heard the client ended up dead from drugs of some sort.”
“So that’s what you do now?” Everly turns her doe eyes toward me, and for the first time since I became an attorney, I feel embarrassed.
“Every person has the right to a fair trial, Everly. I have the ability to turn away potential clients, whom I don’t feel I can represent.
Not all of them are like the one that Dad just described,” I defend, hoping she doesn’t look at me differently because of who I take on and advocate for.
She nods and then picks up her glass. “Criminal defense is just one branch of my firm; we handle a lot of business and contract law as well. We are just known for the criminal side because it sells papers.”
“Well, I think that’s enough shop talk,” Grandma chimes in, and I couldn’t be happier.
The rest of dinner is spent with Grandma talking about Montana, and all the things her and Grandpa do out on their little slice of heaven.
Everly tells them all about her time up there and the adventures she and her friend, Saylor, had hiking and exploring the great outdoors, just a few towns away from my grandparent’s place.
We decide to leave through the back, to avoid the paparazzi, and as we say our goodbyes to my parents and grandparents, Grandma can’t stop hugging Everly.
“Now you promised to come see me in Montana, so I expect a visit very soon,” she tells her.
“I promise,” Everly says with a laugh.
“Well, give me your phone so we can keep in touch.” Grandma holds her hand out and Everly complies as Grandpa shakes his head.
“I think your grandmother might disown you if things don’t work out between the two of you,” Grandpa says as we watch them interact.
“Grandma doesn’t have to worry, Everly is my end goal.”
“That’s good because we love her.” He pats my shoulder. “Let’s get the other boys together before we leave. Ellie wants to cook for you and talk about great grandbabies,” he says with a chuckle.
“That’ll go over well with Reid and Levi,” I snort. “Tell her to make her famous lasagna and not to mention the subject until after their stomachs are full.”
“We need to go Archie, or we’ll miss our gameshow!” Grandma yells, not even ten feet away. “And you promised some gelato.”
“And that’s my cue. Remember the old adage ‘ happy wife happy life’ .” He pulls me in for a tight hug. “Love you, Lincoln. Take care of that woman of yours.”
“Love you too, Grandpa and I will.”
He steps over to Everly and gives her the same hug, then ushers Grandma over to their driver, where he’s holding the door open.
“I love your grandparents,” Everly says as we wave and watch them pull away from the curb.
“They are pretty special.” I wrap my arm around her as we walk over to where Dale is standing by our car. “Would you like some dessert?”
“Depends on what kind,” she bounces her eyebrows as we settle in the backseat.
“You and I are on the same page, angel.” I hover over her, catching her lips to mine. “Hope you don’t mind being tired tomorrow because I plan on having my treat all night.”