ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝟛𝟛 #2
"So this...this entire thing is a test? You just wanted to light a fire under me."
"I wanted to know whether you still had one."
I was absolutely disgusted with his behavior.
"I have worked myself into migraines, I've skipped meals, and I still came back here. I've given this place everything."
I shook my head.
"You looked at that and thought, 'she needs motivation.'"
Ted's face changed.
For the first time he looked almost regretful.
"I never questioned your work ethic."
"No, but you questioned my worth."
A sharp knock interrupted us. Josh cracked the door open.
"Sorry to interrupt, but a client from Blimare Industries just arrived. He says he'd really like to speak with you before his deposition."
Ted glanced toward him. "It'll be one minute."
"Of course." He quietly shut the door again.
Ted looked back at me.
"Dixie."
I didn't answer him.
"I'd advise you not to make any decisions today. You've always been one of the smartest attorneys I've ever worked with. No doubt."
"Don't let anger make you forget that."
Ted spoke one last time. "If you resign today...Georgia keeps everything."
I stopped.
"If you stay, then prove to me I promoted the wrong attorney." He let the sentence linger.
"Goodbye, Ted."
I didn't look back, but I walked out.
Every heel strike echoed through the hallway as people looked up as I stormed past.
I didn't care anymore.
Let them look- they'd already watched everything else happen.
It should've felt refreshing. But it just made my headache worse. I fumbled through my purse until I found my keys.
The familiar click of my car unlocking sounded comforting. At least my car hadn't been reassigned.
I slid into the driver's seat before closing the door. Inside, I was met with complete silence. The outside world disappeared the second the door shut.
I didn't start the engine, didn't even put my purse down.
Both hands rested on the steering wheel as my forehead slowly dropped against it. The leather felt cool against my skin.
I squeezed my eyes shut. Don't cry.
At least not yet.
Just get home. Get home first.
My throat tightened.
A laugh escaped me. "Congratulations, Georgia."
"I hope you enjoy your new office. My office." I whispered the words to the empty car.
My fingers tightened around the steering wheel until my knuckles turned pale.
Seven years.
Seven years. Seven years of eighty-hour weeks, seven years of skipped lunches.
Seven years of being the first one in and the last one out. Seven years of proving I belonged in rooms where people assumed I didn't.
All for what? A banner with someone else's name on it?
My breathing became uneven.
Ted's voice replayed itself over and over.
I hated him.
I also hated that a part of me wanted to do exactly what he'd asked.
I wanted to prove him wrong, and walk back upstairs.
I wanted to shove every single successful case I'd ever won onto his desk until he couldn't ignore what he'd done.
But no. I sat in my car, unable to move, unable to drive.
Unable to even breathe properly.
A tear slipped down my cheek before I even realized I'd started crying. I wiped it away immediately.
"No. Stop it, Dixie."
More tears came down despite my efforts.
"This is stupid," I laughed quietly through my tears. "This is so unbelievably stupid."
My phone suddenly lit up in the cup holder. The vibration startled me that I jumped.
Judge Johnson.
I stared at his name for several seconds. The call ended before he rang again.
I quickly dragged both hands beneath my eyes, wiping away every trace of tears I could find.
I flipped the visor down. Thankfully, my mascara was still intact.
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
Breathe in and breathe out.
By the fifth ring, I answered. "...Judge."
"Dixie," His voice was as steady as ever. "I'm sorry to bother you."
"No, you're alright."
There was a brief pause. "Uh..I heard."
"...Heard what, exactly?" My stomach sank.
"The firm."
I closed my eyes.
Of course he heard. Legal communities were worse than neighborhood gossip. Everyone knew everything.
Even if it was something as simple as replacing.
"I see." I muttered.
"I'm sorry."
Those two words somehow hurt more than Ted's entire speech. He sounded disappointed that it had happened at all.
"I appreciate that."
"I imagine today hasn't been enjoyable."
I let out a weak laugh. "That's one way of putting it."
"I'd like you to come see me."
I frowned. "Uhm, right now?"
"If possible."
I glanced toward the windshield. My car still wasn't running.
"I wasn't expecting to drive anywhere today."
"I know that's the case," his voice softened just enough. "But I think this is important."
Let me guess, the Deyes case?"
"It is. I've found several things I'd like to discuss with you."
My pulse picked up despite everything. "What type of things?"
"I'd rather not discuss them over the phone."
"Judge-"
"Dixie."
"You still have my business card?" He interrupted gently.
I looked down. Tucked inside the small compartment beside the steering wheel, exactly where I'd left it a couple months ago, was his card. I hadn't even realized I'd kept it there.
"...Yes."
"Good. The address is on the back."
"I know." I tell him.
"I'll be here."
He waited another second. "I'd like your opinion."
It was a good thing that after everything Ted had just taken from me, someone still trusted my judgment.
"I'll come."
"I thought you might. We'll talk when you get here."
The line clicked dead. Silence returned. I looked at the business card resting beside my phone. Then toward the law firm behind me.
Ted wanted me to prove myself- maybe this was a step.
I wiped the last tear from my cheek and started the engine.
As I adjusted the rearview mirror, I glanced at myself. I still looked exhausted, but there was a flicker.
Purpose.
It wasn't much, but it was enough to put the car in drive.
~
Judge Johnson's office wasn't as busy as my law firm. It was more calm, and everyone had a place to be.
I met with the receptionist at the front.
"Hi, I need to meet with uh.."
I wasn't about to call him Judge Johnson. Now that it came up, what was his actual name?
"Mr. Johnson, please." I finished.
She nodded immediately. "Of course. May I have your name?"
"Dixie West."
The moment the words left my mouth, something flickered across her face.
"Oh." She looked toward her computer before smiling again.
"Mr. Johnson has actually been expecting you."
That surprised me.
"He asked that we send you back as soon as you arrived."
Well. That made me feel significantly more important than I probably was.
The receptionist picked up the phone. "Hey, Savannah? Ms. West is here."
A short pause. "Mhm. Perfect, thanks."
She hung up before looking back at me. "His assistant will take you back."
"Thank you."
I stepped away from the desk just as another woman rounded the corner carrying a thin tablet beneath one arm.
She couldn't have been much older than me.
"Mrs. West??"
"That's me."
She smiled warmly. "I'm Savannah, Mr. Johnson's assistant."
We shook hands briefly.
"Come on. He's waiting." she said.
I followed her through a set of secured doors.The courthouse became quieter. Everything moved calmly.