Jackson
I PARKED OUTSIDE THE LAWYER’s office and walked slowly in, giving myself time to try and calm down. To breath.
Mr. Hurley had said it wasn’t bad, but the worry that had formed on my drive over was that Julie was going after Kayla. I remembered what she’d said just a few days ago, and I knew my lawyer would categorize such a thing in the bad category, but still, that’s where my mind had wandered and stayed for the duration of my trip.
Now I was close to hyperventilating, I was so sure that Julie was about to try and take my baby away from me.
No way am I letting that happen, I promised myself as I opened the door and went into the waiting room. I turned my phone to silent, then crossed to the receptionist to let her know who I was and why I was there, then went to sit down. Before my butt could hit the chair though, my lawyer stepped out, and I knew he must have been waiting for me.
“Jackson,” he called, giving me a welcoming smile, which eased my worry a tiny bit.
He wouldn’t be smiling if my world was about to fall down around me, right?
We walked back into the hall, pausing outside the door to his conference room, and Mr. Hurley turned to me.
“Like I said on the phone, Julie showed up here asking to speak with me. She didn’t have an appointment, so she waited about five hours until I could fit her in. My secretary didn’t make the connection between you and Julie, since she has a different last name, and thought she was just a random walk-in, or I would have called you sooner.”
I nodded that I understood, although I couldn’t quite find my words yet. My throat was too dry, my heart beating too fast.
“Anyway, after speaking with Ms. Baker, I thought it would be best to call you in and try to handle this without paperwork, since yours is already being processed. No need to halt progress if it’s not needed, right?”
I nodded again, tried for a smile, which felt more like a grimace, then followed him through the door when he opened it.
Julie was sitting at the end of the conference table, dressed somewhat demurely in a low-cut dress, at least, more demurely than last time I’d seen her. Her blonde hair was blown out and curled, and she wore light makeup. All in all, she looked quite pretty, although still completely opposite from the way she used to look.
It was almost hard for me to reconcile that she was the same woman.
I wanted to shout, to ask angrily, what is going on? Instead, I held my tongue, took the seat farthest from her, and waited with forced patience.
“First of all, I want to assure you that no changes to the divorce paperwork is necessary, rather this is just a meeting, in which I will mediate. It’s a little out of norm, but as long as we get this done quickly and amicably, I have no problem with it. One of the nice things about owning your own law firm, is answering to no one but yourself; still, I wouldn’t want this to become a habit,” Mr. Hurley began, pausing so that each of us could process his words.
“Of course, thank you, I really appreciate your time,” Julie said softly, because, apparently, I’d gone mute.
“Also, normally, Ms. Baker would have her own counsel. Since that is not the case today, I will reiterate that I am Mr. Heeler’s lawyer, and am only here in the best interest of my client.”
“Thank you,” I managed to croak out, finally turning to Julie and asking, “What is this about?”
Julie twirled the ring on her middle finger nervously, then took a deep breath and brought her gaze to mine.
“I’d like my stuff,” she said, and I blinked.
“What?” I asked.
That was the last thing in the world I’d been expecting her to say.
“My things . . . clothes, shoes, jewelry. The box of mementos from high school and when I was little. I’d like to set aside a time to box up and take my things, a time when you and Kayla aren’t around.”
My mouth was gaping like a fish as I stared at her.
“What?” she asked defensively. “It’s my stuff, and I should be able to have it if I want.”
“You came to my lawyer’s office so that you could get your clothes?” I asked, my tone bordering on mean, but I couldn’t help it, I was angry.
“Well, yeah. I didn’t want to put my mom in the middle of it by asking her to ask you, and I didn’t think showing up at the house unannounced was a good idea. This seemed like the safest way.”
“The safest way?” I practically shouted. “Did you ever think of, I don’t know, calling me?”
“I didn’t think that was a good idea, and you did, do, seem pretty angry, so . . .”
“Oh, don’t you pull that shit on me. Angry? You’re damn right I’m angry, but you know I’ve never given you a reason to not feel safe around me, and although you’re right, I’d rather you not call my phone, it makes more sense than having me called down to my lawyer’s office for something that could have taken minutes to set up.”
I took a deep breath and shook my head.
“I could give two shits about your things. What I’m so angry about, is that you’re more worried about some fucking shoes and mementos, than your own daughter . . .”
“Jackson,” Mr. Hurley warned, and I took another deep breath before muttering, “Sorry.”
“Yes, we can set up a time for you to come pack up and take your things, and no, Kayla certainly won’t be there. But I will be. There’s no way you’re going into my home without me being present.”
“Okay,” Julie said softly.
I rose quickly and added, “Now, if that’s all, I need to get back to my daughter. Text me to set up a time to get your things.” Then I turned my attention to Mr. Hurley and said, “I’m sorry for wasting your time. Thanks for your patience.”
Then I got the hell out of there.