Page 35 of For the Love of the Lawyer

Every Monday through Friday for the last several weeks, I’d asked Karen the same question, and her response was the same. "Not much, Jon. You ready to talk to me about what's had you in such a bitchy mood?" Jon was no readier to discuss it now than he'd been the first time she'd asked.

"No, ma'am. I'll be in my office.”

Jon closed the door and took a seat behind his desk. He placed his briefcase on the floor and looked around the room, not exactly sure what to do.

Oh, he had cases in dire need of his attention, but his mind was occupied with other things, so he wasn't exactly able to give his clients his best. He was certain it happened to every lawyer during a career. Burning out wasn't uncommon in his profession.

Jon opened his laptop just as his desk phone rang. He picked up the receiver, not recognizing the number on the caller ID. "Jonathon Wells."

"Hi, Jon. It's Tim Moran. We were wondering if you'd like to come out for the holiday weekend. It also happens to be Ryan's eighth birthday and Rocky's tenth is on July 9, so we’re celebrating both birthdays and our guardianship. We got the papers in the mail today from the family court. We wondered ifyou could spend the weekend.” Tim’s voice had a jovial lilt to it that Jon always thought of as mischievous.

If Jon wasn't so desperate to talk to Mickey, he'd never have considered it because he didn't socialize often with clients, but it seemed desperation was becoming his primary emotion these days. He was going to end up getting sued for malpractice if something didn't give.

"S-s-sure, Tim. Are you sure it's okay with Ryan and Rocky?"

Jon remembered how horrible he'd been to Rocky Whipple when the little boy needed his help after the death of his mother. He'd shoved the child off on Audrey and hadn't even asked about the progress of the case recently. Self-imposed shame was a heavy burden on its own but the taste of the guilt when he came face-to-face with the family would be a bitter pill to swallow.

"Actually, Ryan suggested we invite you. He has some things he wants to discuss with you regarding Rocky. Ryan's not really used to Audrey, though he likes her, but he's firmly in your camp regarding things concerning his brother. I told him maybe the two of you could go for a trail ride to have a private discussion. He's looking forward to it.” Tim didn’t sound pissed at Jon, which was a relief.

Clearing his throat, Jon prepared to ask a difficult question about Mickey, but then chickened out. "What, uh, what are the boys into these days? I won't come empty-handed.”

Tim chuckled, making Jon envious. "They're both taking tae kwon do classes in Christiansburg, so any kind of movie about martial arts would be fine. Also, they're both still hung up on video games, but nothing above a PG-rating, please. We've got them new bikes and all the gear, so just about anything will work, really."

Jon took a deep breath and exhaled, trying to release the nerves. "Okay. Um, I'll figure out something. Tell me when to be there, and if I can bring anything from the city.” Jon felt a flickerof hope in his gut that maybe he’d get to talk to Mickey and straighten some things out between them.

Tim Moran, not missing a beat, spoke as if he could read Jon's mind. "Maybe when you get to the house, you crawl up on the porch on your hand and knees and beg for forgiveness. You hurt him badly, Jonathon, and he's my best friend. He didn't deserve what you did. Don't come if you're not ready to consider something with Mickey other than sucking his dick. Ryan's young and he'll learn how to get over disappointment at not being able to talk to you, and we'll find someone else to help Rocky learn about his heritage. Mickey won't last another go-round with you and yourpush-me-pull-youattitude.

"If you decide to come, be here on Friday at happy hour. The grandparents are taking the boys to the Roanoke County Fair in Salem and spending the night, so we're going to host a barbecue and swim party at Jeri and Marty's place for the adults. It's just a few people we've met and gotten to know, so it's nothing fancy. Bring your swimsuit if you’re coming. Anyway, we look forward to maybe seeing you. Bye." Tim hung up, and Jon sat at his desk with his mouth hanging open in shock.

He sat there for fifteen minutes mulling his options, and then he remembered his heart and how it ached after what had happened at his parents’ farm when Mickey was there to breed his mother's mares. It was beyond time to make decisions. Should he bow out of the Collins-Moran’s lives, or should he get over his fear of rejection and make a play for Mickey?

He hit the intercom and when Karen answered, he asked her to come into his office. When she entered with two cups of coffee, he smiled as she sat down. "I need you to do a little research, and by that, I mean talk to some of the folks here who have boys, aged eight to ten. I've been invited to a birthday party, and I want to give appropriate gifts. Here are the things I know…"

After giving her the bare facts Jon had gleaned from his conversation with Tim, Karen nodded and left with a smile. Once the door closed, he picked up his phone and called his parents' home.

"Hello?" his mother answered, indicating she'd not paid attention to the caller ID on her phone, which was typical of Allison Wells.

"Hi, Mom. Can you come downtown tomorrow for lunch? I'd like to treat you and Pop. We need to have a talk.”

There was a moment of silence, and then a soft sniffle. "How about you bring Pop home at lunchtime, and we eat here on the back patio. I'll cook. Anna’s on vacation this week, and it would be nice to cook for my boys again. How's that sound?" Allison’s voice wavered a bit as though she was on the verge of tears.

Jon swallowed the lump in his own throat, knowing he was going to break her heart. It was going to be hard to dash her dreams of grandchildren, but he'd kept them in the dark for too long. It was time for honesty. "Sounds great, Momma. We'll be there about twelve-thirty, okay?"

"Can't wait, baby. Love you, Jonny.”

Jon prayed he could count on her loving heart to help him explain things to his father. He'd need all the help he could get.

Standing in the middle of the toy aisle at Target was like being in a nightmare. Jon almost called Aaron to come with him, but since he'd brushed him and Rick off on Audrey about the adoption, he didn't feel good asking the favor. He was man enough to figure out birthday gifts for two little boys without backup, he was sure.

He'd done some research on the internet after Karen had given him the consensus of the parents at the firm, and Jon had weighed it all, just as any attorney would do. The conclusion: Don't worry about the parents’ consent. Get the kid something he'll love.

That's what brought him to the World of Nerf aisle. There were automatic Nerf guns with pop-in, pop-out magazines and vests to carry additional sponge ammo. He remembered playing soldiers with some friends when he was about that age, and he'd have given a left eye to have anything like what he saw in front of him.

Jon deduced since Tim and Matt lived in the country, they were likely pro-NRA, though he wasn't himself, and all little boys liked to play cowboys or cops and robbers. If Tim and Matt didn't like the toys, well, they could be the bad guys and take them away. He needed those boys on his side because he was certain Mickey loved them. They could be a big help to smooth the way for him with the green-eyed cowboy.

Three-hundred dollars and five shopping bags later, he made his way out to the Mercedes and went home. Once there, he divided the loot into two piles and called in reinforcements—Audrey and Lyla—to help with the wrapping.

"You're not serious," Lyla complained, having answered Audrey’s phone. He wished he'd tried to tackle the wrapping himself. How bad could it look? Would two preteen boys even notice?

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