Page 2 of The Defense Rests
"Of course."
We sit and enjoy each other's company for a bit longer, and I slowly feel the fade back to my big headspace. Putting the doll back inside her box, I excuse myself to go to the restroom to change back into street clothes. After taking off my glitter unicorn shirt and matching tutu, I fold them neatly and place them in my duffle.
Sitting on the long wooden bench, my heart sinks. This is it. The end of my time with my Daddy. I'm excited to be leaving to finish my college degree, and who knows, maybe we'll see eachother again. Berkeley is only a few hours from Rockport Ridge, and I'm sure I'll be back in town to visit my family. I do have Daddy's phone number and can text him at any time I want.
"There you are," Daddy says, entering the restroom.
"Just finished changing." I hold up my duffel.
"Don't forget this." He holds up the box containing the doll that he bought me. "I hope you two have a lot of fun, and she helps you get through the next couple of years while you finish your degree."
I stand and wrap my arms around him. Out of my little mindset, I look at Daddy in a whole new way. We're the same height, and when he leans in to offer me a kiss goodbye, I let him. It's a chaste kiss–barely there. Daddy turns to leave, but I catch the tear sliding down his cheek before he's facing completely away. I see his shoulders rise and fall before he leaves through the door. I wait a moment, thinking maybe, just maybe, he'll come back in. Beg me to stay and be his boy forever.
Instead, I'm left sitting back down on the bench, feeling empty and alone, and wondering if I've just made a colossal–that's a fancy word for huge–mistake.
One
(Six Years Later)
Kai
"Mr. Kapling, hang back for a moment," my boss, Mr. Malloy, demands after dismissing the rest of the team from our Friday meeting. Most firms meet on Monday morning to plan out the week, but my boss likes Friday. It's so he can ruin all of our weekends. Out of the three partners here at the firm, Jackson Malloy is the only one who makes my skin crawl with his dewy skin and sly grins. Seriously, the guy has two last names.
"Of course, sir," I tell him professionally while keeping my eye roll internally.
After whispering something I can't hear into his assistant's ear, she schools the grimace on her face when she pulls away and offers him a smile that doesn't reach her eyes and a nod before exiting, shutting the door behind her. Goosebumps speckle my arms, and I take a slow, steadying breath when Mr. Malloy takes the seat across from me.
"We need to restructure a few things around here," he begins, and my stomach drops because…am I getting fired? "Roberts is taking some time off, and he's in the middle of a case. I'm going to need you to take over. We are representing the plaintiff in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Roberts has done the heavy work; we need you to help bring this case to a close. The more money we can get out of the settlement, the higher thecommission checks will be for everyone who worked on it." He offers me a wink like that’s supposed to be the proverbial carrot, and I'm the rabbit.
There is a light tap on the door, and then Mr. Malloy's assistant, Rebecca, enters, carrying a thick file folder. With a nod in my direction from him, she steps over to me and sets the file in front of me before excusing herself. I open the file to briefly scan through the documents, but not really paying attention to anything in particular. I close it, and feel like something’s off about this whole thing. I've never been involved in anything like this before.
Why me?
Why now?
My palms feel clammy as my fingers twitch, holding the file.
"Sir, why are you assigning this case to me? I specialize in family law, not medical malpractice." I ask from across the table. Mr. Malloy's eyes go from chocolate to black with a glare aimed at me. He remains quiet. Is he testing me? "Do I have a say in this, sir? I mean, I'm not familiar with the ins and outs like Roberts. It's a big case that I would like to read over before I commit." I ask, and surprisingly, keep my voice from shaking.
"I don't see what there is to think about. You work for us. This is our firm's case. It's yours, and the other two partners agreed that you would take it over in Roberts' absence. Read it over the weekend and become familiar with it. You meet with both the plaintiff and the defendant, along with his attorney, on Monday morning at nine o'clock."
"Monday?" Fuck me. I just finished a long custody battle and was going to relax in littlespace all weekend. It's been forever since I was able to let loose and play with my toys and watch cartoons. Additionally, alittlefundraiser was happening at Club Pierre, which I was going to attend.
"Yes. Monday. Use the day to go over the notes and the weekend to get your questioning ready." He tells me curtly before standing.
I begrudgingly stand out of respect, pulling myself up to my full height and squaring my shoulders. Malloy takes in a sharp breath and walks toward the door, but he stops and looks back at me with a scowl. I swear, that man has never smiled once in the year since I graduated from law school. He doesn't say anything. Just turns around and exits.
I flop back down in the plush, black leather chair when the door closes and take in a deep breath.
I hate being the new guy on the team. However, once I pay my dues, I will be able to secure a better job and do what I love. I became a lawyer to help kids. That's why I picked family law. Even in divorce cases, I always ensure that the children are impacted minimally.
I slowly open the file and glance down at the vast amount of paperwork. Based on the statements and documentation, this case has been going on for over a year. So, why is this being handed over to me now? I thumb through the paperwork and see written testimonies, medical records, and photocopies of photos taken of evidence from whom I assume is our client.
Turning back to the cover page, I read,Maddison v. Whitmore. Medical Malpractice. The words on the page blur, and legal jargon swims around my brain. I was just assigned this case. A case that has clearly been going on for over a year. Were the partners expecting me to get quick results? I thrive under pressure, but this is excessive.
I skim through the initial complaint, a relatively standard litany of medical negligence during the pregnancy and birth of a child. I'll delve into the details later. My heart already aches for this mother. I skim through the rest of the page, and my eyes stop on the defendant's name: Shaun Whitmore, M.D.
The name smacks me in the face as if it were a physical blow, disorienting me. Shaun. I haven't thought about him in years. Not really. Memories of playdates at the LGBTQ+ center are faint whispers, quickly escalating to a thunderous roar, drowning out the quietness of the conference room.
