“You know I’ll be out for a while.”
“How capable is Landry?” He was young, but that didn’t necessarily mean anything.
“He’s capable and works hard, but his business knowledge isn’t quite up to par.”
“Is there anyone you trust to assist him?”
My brother adjusted the hospital bed he was in and sat up straighter. “I have an idea that may be the best solution. We’ll work here. I can do most of my stuff, other than face-to-face meetings, here, and Landry can work by my side. That will accomplish a couple of things.”
“I see exactly where you’re going and great idea. When do you think you’ll be ready?”
“Tomorrow. I’m bored shitless.”
“You sure?” I didn’t want him overdoing it. He’d nearly died.
“Yeah.”
“Don’t get pissed off, but I want to get the doctor’s okay first. The last thing you need is a relapse.”
“Fine with me.”
We called his physician and received the okay for him to work six hours a day from home.
“In the meantime, I’m starting my own little investigation on Mother and her little lawyer buddy. Oh, and did I mention that Ravina has to get a job? I told her she’s sucked the life out of the family for far too long. I gave her several weeks and then I’d start charging her rent.”
Stanton threw back his head and roared. “Oh, how I wish I’d seen her face.”
“Man, it was priceless. The spoiled princess is going to pay her dues at last.”
Chapter Sixteen
English
Tristian was kind enough to set up a meeting for me with his company attorney. According to him, Ryan Cooper was extremely knowledgeable. Stacey accompanied me because I was clueless as to what to expect.
“Ms. Bridges, it’s nice to meet you, although I wish it was under different circumstances.”
I introduced him to Stacey and he introduced us to another man in the room. “I’d like you to meet Clayton Summers. I called him in today because he’s the expert on criminal law and he has agreed to take your case.”
Stacey’s eyes bulged out, so I figured he must be a pretty big deal. She practically fell over herself when she shook his hand.
We took seats around a conference table and the questions began about the night Stuart assaulted me. When they were done, Mr. Summers said, “I believe we have a very strong case, particularly since a police report was filed, we have a witness, and there are pictures supporting our case.”
Then I tossed in the information on Stuart’s father.
“Ms. Bridges, that doesn’t scare me. I’ve had bigger threats than that. This man clearly broke the law and should pay. Hopefully, we’ll get a judge who is especially harsh on these types of cases.”
I sagged in relief. The power play might not work for Stuart after all and I prayed he went to prison. Then I asked the question I feared most. “What about his parental rights?”
“Why don’t we deal with one thing at a time? If he goes to prison, we won’t have to worry about that anyway, will we?”
“No, but his parents may sue for visitation.”
“Let them. We’ll make it difficult on them, given that grandparents aren’t usually granted custody when a biological parent is around,” Mr. Summers answered. “If they do get visitation, we’ll seek supervised visits, given Stuart’s history with you.”
On the ride home, Stacey said, “Jeez, girl, those were two high-powered attorneys with tons of connections. I think your case is a slam-dunk.”
“I won’t believe that until a guilty verdict is read. My daughter’s future is on the line and I can’t afford to rest easy until then.”
“Understood.” She dropped me off and I went inside.
I’d been working from home until the bruising was gone. It was a combination of green and purple now, and wasn’t very attractive. I looked like a moldy grape instead of a purple one. Easton patted my face and gave me healing kisses daily. The pain had subsided, but the discoloration still reminded me of that horrible night.
Dad called and I answered the phone. “Hey!”
“How’d it go?”
“There was a criminal attorney there and they both think it’ll be an easy win.”
“Great news.”
“Yeah, but like I told Stacey, I won’t believe it until it happens.”
“Same here. Hey, I wanted to let you know the Vietnam trip is postponed.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Uh-huh. Tristian and I decided it was best, considering the situation.”
“You mean considering me.”
“You’re right.”
“Dad.” I hated disrupting his work.
“No use arguing. I’m not leaving you alone with your mother for a month while all this is going on. When I mentioned this to Tristian, he was relieved. I think the guy is genuinely worried about you.”
“I imagine he is. He found that bastard squeezing the life out of me, so he has good reason.”
“Which makes it an even better idea for us to stay.”
“Okay, you win. And Daddy? Thank you. For everything.”
“You’re welcome. You’re my munchkin doodle.”
“Jeez, you haven’t called me that in ages.”
“I know. But no matter how old you get, you’ll always be that little girl to me.”
“I’m beginning to understand. Love you, Dad.”
“Love you back.”
Was it even possible to have better parents? I didn’t think so. Mine were the best out there and God had blessed me to the nth degree. One of these days I’d find a way to properly thank them.
Mom dropped off Easton a couple hours later. She was doing car duty for me until I looked human again.
“Hey, peanut,” I called out as Easton ran into the house.
“Mommy. Look!” She held up a drawing she’d made at school.
“Wow! What is it?”
“It’s you, silly.” It was a picture of a huge round thing with large purple circles all over it.
“Oh, my. Well, that’s, um, quite lovely.”
“I love it. It looks just like you, don’t you think?”
Mom bit her knuckles to keep from laughing.
“I, uh, well, yes, it does. Especially here.” I pointed to the area around my eye, or what I thought were my eyes.
“Yup. Can we hang it on the figerator?”
“Sure, we can.” I went to the kitchen and we placed some magnets over the thing. Luckily, no one would know what it was. “So, how was school?”
Her lower lip popped out.
“Hmm, that bad, huh?”
She fiddled with her sleeve. Oh, how this hurt my heart.
“Easton, is that boy causing you trouble again?”
Large, tear-filled eyes met mine. Then her head swiveled from side to side. That was somewhat of a relief since he was no longer in her class.
“Then, what is it, peanut?”
“I told Bonnie I had oonicorns and rainbows in my room and she said I didn’t. Then I pushed her down and got in trouble with Mrs. Leonard.”