VEE. “Conley versus Gibson is clear in that respect, your honor,” I paused and waited for a response that didn’t come.

“You seem to have all the answers. You’re just like your father,” he sighed.

“I don’t ever have all of the answers, your honor. I do, from time to time, have the right answers. Specifically, I’ll file a motion 12 (b) (6) in accordance with the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure in anticipation of a dismissal,” I spoke in a clear and concise manner.

I hesitated and waited for his verbal confirmation. A heavy sigh through the speaker of my desk phone signified his prolonged response was exactly what I had hoped for. I pressed my hands together and waited to hear him say it.

“File the motion, counsel. You are correct. It appears the plaintiff did not state a claim for which relief can be granted. Is that all, Vivian?” his voice faded as I heard papers shuffling over the phone.

“Yes, your honor,” I responded.

“Advise your father I asked of his welfare, will you?” his voice became more distant.

“Yes, your honor,” I responded as I clenched my hands into fists and shook them in the air.

And, as the honorable Judge Black often did, he hung up the phone. No forewarning, no goodbye, just a disappearance. After a few long seconds my phone went to the default beeping sound. I picked the receiver up and placed it back into the cradle and silenced the beep.

“You know you can just push the button. The one on the bottom, below the extensions,” Tonia reminded me.

“I realize that. Picking it up and placing it back into the receiver is more satisfying,” I smiled and stood from my chair.

“Sooo,” she said as she leaned on the door jamb.

“So. I need to file a twelve-b-six on the Wilson case. It appears counsel for the plaintiff had very little attention to detail,” I said as I walked her direction.

“You want me to…” she began.

“Tonia, I want you to do what I pay you to do. Pull a fucking motion. Fill the damned thing out. Include all of Wilson’s information, no differently than the last one hundred and who knows how many motions you have filed. Upon completion, send it to me as an electronic file. Upon receipt, I will complete it, including all of the pertinent reference to law. Then we’ll file it with the court,” I responded in a definitive tone.

“Yes ma’am,” Tonia responded as she slowly shifting her gaze to the floor.

“Tonia?” I said flatly.

“Yes Mrs. Simon?” she said as she looked up.

“Thank you,” I pressed my palms into my skirt and turned to face my desk.

“Certainly,” she responded quietly as she shuffled toward her desk.

I lowered myself into my chair, proud of my accomplishments of the day. On my way home, I would stop by the hospital and advise my father of Judge Black’s inquiry. For the next hour, I planned to relax at my desk and get caught up on what a federal attorney in Austin, Texas never gets caught up on.

Relaxation.

I exhaled and closed my eyes.

I thought of my father and his physical condition. His doctor expected him to live for a few more weeks. I had no expectation of him lasting any length of time beyond what the doctor expected. My mother had left him years ago for choosing his work over his home life, leaving me to take care of him. When she walked out she never looked back. Considering all things, I can’t say I blamed her for her choices.

I left my husband because he was a pussy when I married him, and he never developed into an actual man. He never took charge in our relationship. Law school, generally speaking, isn’t a good time to start dating; and we were no exception to the rule. I told myself after we started practicing law he would change, but it never happened. What did happen was my finding my true self. All day at work, I was in charge, making decisions people’s lives depended on. When I got home, I wanted to throw my respective hands in the air and have a man take control of me.

He proved to be incapable, and never even made a half-hearted attempt to resolve my needs, wants or sexual desires. As a result, I divorced him and had been single since. Slowly, it seemed, I was migrating into the person my father had always been - a workaholic with no home life or a respective sexual or life partner. Desperately, I felt a need to change these things about me, but had no time or reason to actually repair it.

“Mrs. Simon, a Mr. Ripp on line four,” the sound of Tonia’s voice startled me.

“Who?” I sighed as I opened my eyes and looked down at the phone.

“A Mr. Ripp. He must know you. He asked for Vee, ma’am,” she replied.

Oh. Ripp.

“I’ll take it,” I responded, hoping he would be exactly what I needed to complete my otherwise oddly unfulfilling week.