Page 6 of Everest

“Your honor, if I may—” Reeves attempts to placate the judge but doesn’t succeed.

“Save it, Mr. Reeves. I’ve heard all I need to hear and am ready to rule.”

Reeves tries to argue once again. “But your honor, I haven’t had time to investigate this so-called evidence my opposing counsel submitted before the court.”

“Mr. Reeves, don't push your luck.” Judge Bishop narrows his gaze. Lucky for Reeves, he still has some sense left and zips his lips.

“I hereby award Mrs. Davis half of the marital assets along with the house in which she and Mr. Davis shared. I’m also granting alimony in the sum of ten thousand dollars per month. Mr. Davis will also be required to pay Mrs. Davis the sum of five hundred and fifty thousand dollars in emotional distress damages, along with all of Mrs. Davis’s attorney fees. The court is adjourned. Bailiff, please take Mr. Davis into custody, where he will spend the next twenty-four hours thinking about howhe will behave in my courtroom.” With his ruling made, Judge Bishop slams the gavel.

I turn to Mrs. Davis, who has a death grip on my hand and a look of disbelief on her face. “Did that just happen?”

“You bet your ass that just happened.” I beam.

As if the weight of the world suddenly falls from her shoulders, Mrs. Davis looks at me with tears running down her face, then wraps her arms around me. I immediately return her embrace. This right here is why I do what I do. This incredibly kind and beautiful woman gave up her entire life for a man who in the end, had no appreciation and treated her like shit.

“I don’t know what I can do to repay you for all you have done for me.”

I look Mrs. Davis in the eyes. “Do you want to know how you can repay me?”

She nods.

“Go live your life for you. Go back to school. Go on that vacation you’ve always wanted. The world is at your fingertips.”

“You’re right.” Mrs. Davis wipes the tears from her eyes. “I’ve been begging Bradford for years to take me to Australia. I think it’s time I take myself.”

“Hell yeah. And while you are down under, you should find yourself a hot Aussie who likes to go down under.” I wink, making Mrs. Davis blush.

After we say our goodbyes, and I collect my belongings and head to the car, thirty minutes later, I arrive at my office. Promise greets me from her desk. “So, how was court? Did you make any grown men cry today?”

I plop down in the chair across from her desk. “Sadly, no. But I did cause one to throw a temper tantrum, which resulted in him losing half his assets, his house, being forced to pay alimony, and the pleasure of spending the night in jail,” I relaywhile assessing the chipped polish on my nails, reminding me I’m in desperate need of a manicure.

“Damn, Lon, you’re brutal.” Promise giggles.

“I do try,” I say, batting my lashes.

“On that note.” Promise shakes her head. “How about lunch with your best friend to celebrate your victory?”

I sigh. “I’ll have to take a rain check. Mom’s facility called this morning and needs me to stop by.”

Promise’s face softens. “Is everything all right?”

I wave her off. “Yeah, yeah. They just have some paperwork for me to fill out. No biggie. Plus, her nurse said today was a good day, so I should stop in for a visit.”

“Want me to come with you? I don’t mind.”

This is why I love my best friend. She’s my rock. Promise and I met years ago while attending law school, and we have been inseparable since then. We have been by each other’s sides through the many ups and downs in recent years. I was by her side when she made the horrible mistake of getting engaged to the world’s biggest asshole, and I was there cheering her on when she finally got rid of him after she caught him cheating with her stepsister. Then, I was by her side when she met her now husband, Nova. Nova is the Enforcer for the Kings of Retribution. If you’d asked me a few years ago if my best friend would tie herself to an actual motorcycle club, I’d say you were out of your damn mind. Yet here we are. She’s blissfully happy and in love. The two have the most adorable little boy, and Promise gained a stepdaughter, Piper, who is all kinds of sassy and amazing.

“Okay. If you’re sure you don’t need me, I’ll just stop by the clubhouse and have lunch with Cain and Jaxson.”

“I’m sure.” I smile at Promise as she walks out of the office. “And give my Godson a kiss for me.”

Pulling into the lot of my mom’s living facility, I park and turn the car off. Tilting my head back against the headrest, I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and mentally prepare myself for a visit with my mother. Three years ago, at the age of fifty-eight, Mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Though the diagnosis had been devastating, I was not expecting her to decline so rapidly. When she was first diagnosed, we talked about her coming to live with me, but being the fierce, unrepentant woman she is, she was adamantly against the idea. I understood the decision and respected it, but when Mom started forgetting her doctor’s appointments, I was forced to put my foot down.

She still refused to live with me, but she did agree to have a nurse come sit with her a few hours a day. I always made sure to be there for her as well whenever I wasn’t working. Then, last year, I was in the middle of court when I received a text from my mom’s nurse. She had found Mom wandering down the street, and when she approached, Mom was disoriented and didn’t seem to know where she was. That was the day I hired a full-time nurse. Susan stayed with Mom during the day, and I temporarily moved into Mom’s house. Something anyone with a loved one with Alzheimer’s is never prepared for is how rapidly the disease claims every aspect of their lives. I tried so hard to give my mother the care she needed and deserved, but I soon realized I was ill-equipped. I thank God every day for Susan. She helped me realize the decision to put my mom in a facility was what was best. Logically, I knew Susan was right. It’s just my heart was telling me something different.

Most days, I felt like I was failing my mother. I wanted her to be safe and comfortable, but I also wanted her to live with dignity. This is why I researched and found the best facilities specializing in patients with advanced Alzheimer’s disease.Unfortunately, this facility comes at a hefty price, even with mom's shitty insurance.

Which brings me back to why they called me here today. I’m a week late on this month’s payment. It took all my savings to cover the first two months Mom was here. And though I make good money at my job, it’s not enough to cover the bill and take care of my personal debts, along with a car loan, and other expenses it takes to help run a successful lawfirm. Six weeks ago, I made the decision to get a second job. To top it all off, I haven’t told Promise. The secrecy is killing me, but I’m too ashamed to tell my own best friend that I’m drowning. Because I know if I told her, she’d insist on helping me, and I can’t let her do that. Promise has her own family to think about. Not only that, but I also don’t want anyone to know what I do every night.

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