A Valentine Goodbye... And Hello - Part 2
Originally posted as a one-off for the Valentine's Day contest, a number of readers asked me to continue the story, so I did - I hope you enjoy it. And as I am not a lawyer, the legal aspects of this story is how I hope it could go. As always, votes and constructive comments are welcome. Enjoy...
The walk to the coffee shop was a quick one, as the cold February winds pushed them along. As they walked, Stephanie kept up a constant stream of dialog with Jackson, perhaps thinking that if she was quiet, he'd disappear. As they stepped up to the shop, she apologized.
"Jackson, I'm sorry to keep talking. I do this when I get nervous, and right now I'm petrified."
"Why are you so nervous?"
"Because I've never done something like this before. Asking someone like you out for coffee? Someone I barely know? The old me - the one from an hour ago - would probably have stuttered and stammered my way though it, and totally botched it up."
"Someone like me? Stephanie, I'm not anyone that important. Yes, I'm a lawyer, but so are 5,000 others in the city. Right now, I'm simply someone who wants to get to know you better, and spend the afternoon enjoying your company. And savoring some of the best pastries in the city. OK?"
"OK."
Smiling at her, Jackson opened the door and the couple stepped from the cold into the welcoming warmth of the coffee shop, where they were enveloped by the aroma of coffee, fresh baked goods, and the overwhelming feeling of contentment.
"Why don't you find us a table and I'll order. What's your pleasure?"
Stepping up to the counter, Jackson was warmly greeted.
"Mr. Taylor, what a nice surprise. Twice in one day. What's the occasion?"
"Nothing special, Jane. Just having coffee with a new client. How about a large black coffee, one large chai tea, a strawberry scone, and a slice of lemon poppyseed loaf?"
"Coming right up."
Settling into their booth, Jackson and Stephanie spent the next hours talking about everything and nothing. They talked about where they grew up (big cities on opposite sides of the country), families (she with one estranged brother, him being the youngest with three older sisters), children (both with one daughter), and finally, their married lives.
"Cynthia was the love of my life. She was wicked smart, kind, compassionate, and beautiful, both inside and out. She was a wonderful life companion; but most of all, she was a magnificent mother. She and April were like two peas in a pod. Growing up, April always said she wanted to be 'just like mommy', and in many ways she is. April is smart, beautiful, and the nicest person I know. She's also musical, something she never got from Cynthia or me. She has a beautiful voice and can play most any musical instrument... and play it well. She's been my rock this past year, and when she leaves for college, I'm not sure what I'll do. I know how much she still aches for her mom, but she hides it well from everyone but me. I still hear her some nights, crying in her room. Cynthia was indeed the glue that held our family together, and her sudden death hit both of us like a sledgehammer."
Jackson was quiet, and took a sip of his coffee to compose himself.
"It was all a freak accident. We were all out to a late lunch - a Valentine lunch - when Cynthia said she felt funny, that her head suddenly hurt, and her sight was blurry. Before we could do anything, she collapsed at the table. A brain aneurism. She was rushed to the hospital, but the doctors there said there was nothing they could do. When the outcome became clear, my only wish was that she not die on Valentine's Day, as it was her favorite holiday. So, I spent the evening talking to her, trying to keep her brain alive... until it wasn't. When it was finally the 15
th
, April convinced me to say my final goodbye. That was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I just couldn't do it. Say goodbye to my soul mate, my touchstone. But deep down I knew I had to. And for the next year I wallowed in my own grief, barely noticing the world around me. April's tried to get me to be more social with our friends, but without Cynthia, I just couldn't do it. Several times I needed a plus one for an important event, so April was my date. The first time, I almost couldn't do it; seeing April dressed to the nines reminded me of Cynthia, and I nearly broke down. But she didn't allow me to get lost like that, and slowly I've been getting better. Both of us have. Therapy has helped immensely. But until today, other than with April, I've not been out with a woman since that day. So thank you for pulling me from my office to spend the afternoon with you.
"And now that I've totally depressed you, would you like a refill on your tea?"
Nodding her head yes, Stephanie watched Jackson walk up to the counter. Tears filled her eyes as he told her his story; she now knew she had to tell him everything about her as well.
Once Jackson returned, Stephanie began her own story.
"Let's see if I can top your tale of woe with one of my own. I met my ex in college, and he swept me off my feet. He said everything right, and from the first moment, I was hooked. Unfortunately, everyone saw the red flags - except me. He slowly isolated me from all my friends and my parents, making me totally dependent on him. Even though I had my degrees in Accounting and Bookkeeping, he made sure I never left the house unless he was with me. Once Ashlyn was born, it got worse. Everything I did was wrong and even when I did things his way, I was still wrong. The only thing keeping me going was Ashlyn. She was such a good baby, and once she got older and her own personality started to appear, Jack wasn't happy with her either.
"Since he was the breadwinner, he thought he could do anything he wanted with our money. I was on a tight allowance for groceries, but somehow, I managed to hide some away each week, hoping that someday I'd be able to leave him. As time went on, I started to get tired more and more easily. Jack was certain I was just lazy, but I knew something was wrong. When I finally convinced him that I was indeed sick, it was almost too late. My doctor discovered a heart defect that weakened my heart; compounding that, my heart was attacked by a virus that was slowly destroying it... and there was nothing they could do except put me on the transplant list. And you know the rest of that story.
"But once I recovered, I divorced Jack, but even after all this time, the divorce still isn't final. He keeps finding reasons to postpone, or just changes the hearing dates. I still can't believe he thought it was alright to leave me in the hospital alone, dying, as he played with his friends in Vegas. He was supposed to pay alimony and child support, but only pays it when he feels like it, which has been once, and not for the full amount. I have a very part-time job doing books for a small retail company, but that barely keeps a roof over our head and food on the table. We get by with handouts and the Food Bank. That's why I need your help, Jackson. I know you can do something to help me and Ashlyn. At least I hope you can."
Finishing her story, Stephanie began to cry, not knowing how much more she could take. And when Jackson sat beside her and pulled her into a hug, she cried even more, while at the same time enjoying the feel of someone's arms around her.
When she calmed down, Jackson gave her several napkins to dry her eyes, and went back to his side of the table. Both were quiet for a while, letting the enormity of their stories sink in.
"It was only recently that I was able to find out who my donor was, and when I found out, I wasn't sure if I could go through with this. Thank you for making this easier than I thought it would be."
Both were quiet for a long time. Jackson knew he would be able to help Stephanie, but there was something more. Something from her story that moved him; feeling something about her that he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Do you know when your next court date is?"
"No. My lawyer only calls me at the last minute each time, and then I have to scramble to make the date. However, one should be coming up soon... I hope."
"Ok, first I'll need the contact information for your ex - name, phone number, address, place of employment. Next, I need the name and number of your lawyer and where his office is located. And third, I need your contact information - number and address."
Jackson slid a notebook across the table to Stephanie, and she quickly filled it out.
"Amos Nelson's your lawyer? I should've guessed."
"You know him?"
"That I do. Mr. Nelson and I go way back, all the way to law school. Even there I didn't trust him, and now I certainly don't. He's always skirted the edge of unethical behaviors, and now I think he finally crossed the line. Is his office still on West 73
rd
?"
"Yes, in a seedy storefront in a seedy strip mall. I cringe whenever I have to go there."
"Thanks for the information, Stephanie. I'll get on this first thing in the morning. And as soon as I have something, I'll let you know. Also, I'd like to meet Ashlyn sometime."
Seeing the apprehension in her eyes, Jackson quickly went on.
"If I'm representing you, that means I'm representing her as well, and I'd like to get to know her better. If you're uncomfortable doing it at your apartment, we can do it here or in my office - whatever you prefer."
"Ok, I can see that. I'd prefer to do it at your office if only to keep this professional. I'll talk to her tonight, see what she says, and get back to you tomorrow. Will that be alright?"
"I'll look forward to your call."
Looking at her watch, Stephanie gasped.
"Oh my, I need to get going. Ashlyn will be home soon, I need to get home, and the bus this time of night takes forever."
"How about if I drive you home? It'll be much faster than the bus and a whole lot cheaper than a taxi or Uber. Are you comfortable with that?"
Stephanie hesitated. Knowing how her ex had treated her, she was wary of any type of kindness from a man. However, if she was willing to put her legal case in his hands, she needed to trust him. Forcing a smile, she agreed.
Twenty minutes later Jackson pulled up to a run-down apartment building in a not-so-great part of the city. This area was known for its drive-by shootings and drug raids, as well as the plethora of prostitutes that hung out on the street corners. Seeing all this, Jackson vowed to get Stephanie and Ashley someplace better soon.
Getting out of his car, Stephanie hesitated for a moment.
"Thank you, Jackson. This has been the best afternoon I've had in a long time. And thank you for taking my case. I just hope you can do something for me."
"You're very welcome, Stephanie. I enjoyed the afternoon as well. I'll give you a call once I know something concrete. Good night."
*****
Walking into his house, Jackson could hear April singing in the kitchen as she prepared dinner for the two of them. Aromas of pasta sauce and garlic bread greeted him as he walked to the kitchen. Hearing him, April turned to greet her dad.
