In Court
"In summation I state that the Court finds in favour of the defendant against the plaintiff. It is clear that zoning regulations in this case are purely the responsibility of the city authorities and of no other layer of the governmental structure."
A small man in a suit stood up. "Your honour, I request a right to appeal?"
"You have no case, Mr Weissman. You represented your clients with great skill but you have no case. In order to save the taxpayer some money I can see no merit in allowing an appeal."
"But..."
"That is ENOUGH, Mr Weissman. I realise it is normally a formality but this court absolutely has the right to deny an appeal in a litigation such as this. You do not deny that?"
"No but..."
THUMP.
The judge's gavel fell and he heaved himself onto his feet as the perspiration showed on his broad dark face. Matthew Wood had delivered his judgement and that was all there was to it.
Weissman slumped back into his seat. He could remember the days when he could count his court defeats in a year on one hand. Now he only had to see Jessica Lyons on the other side of the court-house and he pretty much knew he was fucked! Seemed it was true that she was pregnant, well roll on her maternity leave. Then he just might be able to win a damned case!
***
Jessica gathered her papers and prepared to leave when she heard her name being called. When she turned it was to face a woman who looked in her late thirties and who was approaching her with a broad smile. She was perplexed for a moment and then recognition came and her face lit up. "Oh my God - it can't be!"
The two women embraced. "It's been way too long," said the new arrival, "but I just don't get out here any more. When the family decided to come over on vacation and David wanted to take them to a ball-game then I just had to see if I could look you up."
Jessica grinned - she remembered that her teacher had never been a fan of sports. "What do I call you - it seems silly to say Mrs..."
"You call me Dee, of course! Do you know how proud I am of you - I always knew that you would be a credit to all of us. Just seeing you up there today - winning your case so easily."
Jess made a dismissive gesture. "It really wasn't a difficult case..."
"Don't listen to her," the words came from the dark-skinned African-American man seated next to Jessica, her client in the recent hearing. "State's been trying to close me down for years and this time they were sure they'd got me. Didn't reckon on me having the best lawyer in the three state district did they." Dee's eyes widened a little as the man's large Black hand patted Jessica's bottom with an easy gesture.
Jessica just smiled. "This is Cassius - one of our best-known local businessmen."
"Scuse my manners," said Cassius as he finally stood up and offered Dee his hand. "I wasn't brought up what you'd call proper!" He showed a flash of white teeth in his dark face. "I'm delighted to meet any of Jessica's crew tho, especially when they a fine chassy like you."
Dee didn't quite understand that but she did grasp that it was a compliment. A fine rosy glow suffused her cheeks. She was a respectable wife and mother of three. Strange men hadn't complimented her like that for years! It also wasn't helping that Cassius seemed to have scanned her figure as he spoke. Men just didn't look at her like that any more. Heck, even her husband hadn't shown her that sort of attention in as long as she could remember.
Jessica stood and Dee again noticed her baby-bump. She remembered hearing that Jess had married that local boy - the one who was in politics now. But it seemed strange that she was back to using her maiden name especially with a young one on the way.
"I think Cassius, that you owe me a favour."
"That I do - but I'd like to owe you two. You know you've promised to come to my club."
Jess gestured to her midriff. "I don't think I'll be dancing for a while do you."
Cassius smiled that confident smile of his again. "Fuck, baby, I'd love to see you there in about five months. Crowd will go wild once they hear the story." He took her hand in his. "Besides, ain't nothing more beautiful than a woman like you who's showing the potency of her men."
Jess giggled and turned to Dee. "Cassius is also a local character and a bit of a scoundrel. He doesn't respect proprieties too well, it sort of goes with his business."
Dee was a bit taken aback. There was some argot and a little profanity but she was pretty sure she'd understood him rightly. It amazed her that he was saying such things and young Jessica just seemed to be amused by it. She caught herself - 'young Jessica' was thirty and could most certainly look after herself.
She glanced back to Cassius only to catch him pretty obviously checking out her rear end. He noticed her and just smiled his confident smile. "Scuse me but when I see something I like I always make a point of enjoying it to the full. Thass always been my way - when I see something I want I reach out and take it. I make it mine and enjoy it to the full." He reached out and took hold of Dee's hand running his thumb over her skin. She was frozen like a statue her mind unable to take this all in - it just couldn't be happening. "Unless, of course, my hand gets slapped away." He pointedly looked down to where his big Black hand still held her smaller white one. The symbolism was obvious.