by Ali Vali
"Good morning, Ms. Ladding. Are the people ready to proceed this morning?" asked Carleton. He focused solely on her waiting for her answer.
"Yes, your honor, the people are ready to proceed and in the interest of time and justice wave a jury trial if the defense is so inclined." She glanced over at Bradley who was tugging on his collar again and seemed to be turning a sickly shade of red. She then looked behind her for a moment to offer Desi a comforting smile letting her know everything would be all right.
"Thank you, Ms. Ladding the court will take that under advisement. And you, Mr. Blum," the leather chair creaked a bit as Carleton turned to Bradley. "Are you ready to proceed?" He waited a beat before adding, "Wait, you look so lonely, Mr. Blum. Where's your client?" It was the second question that deepened Bradley's red shade.
"Your honor, we beg the court's indulgence, but my client is out of town and couldn't be reached with the new court date. I tried explaining this to Judge Rose yesterday, I'm sure he mentioned it to you. I'd like to renew my request for a delay until Mr. Simoneaux can be reached." Tugging on the collar one more time he waited with fingers crossed for the judge's answer.
"I see, is he away taking care of a family emergency perhaps?" offered Carleton.
"No, sir."
"A business engagement he couldn't get out of maybe?" Carleton tried again.
"No, sir."
"Could it be that Mr. Simoneaux is wanted in the questioning of another unrelated matter and thinks the judicial system in New Orleans is as stupid as he is?" Carleton's voice raised until he could be heard out in the hallway. When he was done he was leaning forward in his chair with his hands flat on the desk before him. "As the terms of Mr. Simoneaux's bond states, he's not to leave the area without a means in with which the court can contact him. The reason we put those stipulations in place, Mr. Blum, for future reference, is for times like this. Everyone is ready to proceed and your client is nowhere to be found. Do you know what that means, Mr. Blum?" asked Carleton one last time, making it apparent he had also memorized Bradley's name.
"He is to be remanded back into custody as soon as he is apprehended."
"Precisely, Mr. Blum. He has until nine o'clock this morning to report, if not, bail is revoked. We're adjourned, ladies and gentleman," Carleton said as he wrapped his gavel once and stood to leave the room.
Ignoring Desi and Harry for the moment, Byron's parents went to the front of the room to intercept Bradley before he left. "What did all that mean?" demanded Byron, Sr.
"As I tired to explain last night, it means your son has precisely fifty minutes to report back to this court or he'll be considered a wanted man. That's not going to help his case any, and it will add some more charges to the mountain he's already facing." Bradley picked up his brief case and started walking to another courtroom to meet another client, but seriously considering heading to a local bar instead.
"But they can't do that. He didn't even know he was suppose to be here today," complained Byron, Sr. Everything he had worked for was in danger of going to some guy named Al who had secured his son's bail.
"They can and they will, Mr. Simoneaux. That's what happens when you break in and drag some judge's naked wife out of her bed in the middle of the night. You screw with the law and sometimes it'll stick it to you without benefit of lubricating first. My free advice for you this morning is to drive to where ever Byron is and drag his ass back here. If not, be prepared to ride out the storm until Jude Rose calms down, and this new judge well, let's just say they don't call him the Grim Reaper for nothing." Bradley had already made up his mind he'd tell Byron to find himself a new lawyer as soon as he resurfaced. No retainer was worth these kinds of headaches.
"But he's only on vacation, they can't charge him for that," persisted Byron, Sr.
"If you'll excuse me, I have another client waiting for me across the hall. When you hear from Byron let me know, we have a lot to talk about before he turns himself into police." Bradley gave Byron's mother a small smile before heading out of the courtroom. The woman always looked so sad that, if she had asked, Bradley decided he would do her divorce free of charge. Despite the fact Byron had paid his retainer, he was glad to see his wife Desi had found a new life for herself. Maybe there was hope for his mother.
As Byron Sr. argued with Bradley in front of the courtroom, Harry and Desi made their way out to the street. Since they were supposed to be in Florida for the weekend, Harry had taken the day off so they had the rest of it to kill now that they were finished with the legal proceedings. Holding the passenger side door opened for Desi, Harry helped her inside then put her crutches in the back seat. They had yet to talk about everything that had happened, and the way Byron's father had treated Desi that morning. She could see the tenseness in Harry's jaw. It was the only outward sign as to how pissed Harry truly was.
"Harry, I'm sorry again for all this," Desi started. She reached for Harry's hand as soon as she got into the vehicle. Part of her was angry too for not letting Harry loose to beat Byron Sr. to within an inch of his life. Maybe it would have taught him a lesson about how sometimes women fought back.
"Please stop apologizing for the behavior of other people. Your husband's father is an idiot, and that, my love, has nothing to do with you. He was raised by idiots and in turn raised two of his own. You just had the misfortune of hooking up with one of them, but that part of your life is over now. This may take a little longer than we planned, but in four months, you'll sever your ties with these people once and for all."
She was taking deep breaths trying to fight back the urge to hit something after the confrontation with Byron's father in the courthouse. After their exchange of words she found that her palms hurt from the tight fists she had balled her hands into, but she was glad she had controlled her temper. Desi had had enough violence in her life, she didn't need to add to it.
"Will it truly ever be over? I have a feeling Byron and his family will be a shadow over our happiness forever." She turned her head to look out the window so she wouldn't have to see the disappointment in Harry's eyes.
"Desi, you'll find money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy isolation from people like Byron. Whatever I've earned in my life is half yours now, and with that comes the security of knowing you never have to return to what those people put you through. I also don't want you to think of it as charity or pity. It's my gift to you freely given, and it's yours even if you don't stay with me. The only way the Simoneaux family will ever bother you again is if you invite them back into your life," said Harry with conviction.
She wanted to get her point across to Desi so that she could start to let go of some of the pain in her life. After her declaration, Harry slowly ran her fingers through Desi's blondish hair with light red highlights in an attempt to get her to look at her.
When she did turn around, Desi's eyes were watery with tears yet to fall. Harry expected an argument over why Desi couldn't take what she was offering, so she was pleased when she just smiled at her. "Thank you, Harry. I promise I'm not going anywhere and I'll spend the rest of my days at your side making you as happy as you make me. One day hopefully I can be just like you and you'll be proud of me."
"I'm already proud of you, honey. Look at yourself. You're a young, beautiful woman who has so much to offer. I'm not only proud of you, I'm honored you picked me to share your gifts with," Harry said as she leaned over and kissed Desi softly on the lips. Desi welcomed the kiss and threw her arms around Harry's neck to pull her close. It was a special moment witnessed by the older couple coming down the front steps of the courthouse.
"Clyde told me about some friend Desiree had in school he put an end to her seeing. Seems like she might be back and causing trouble between Byron and his wife," Byron, Sr. told his wife.
Looking at the two women holding each other, Monique Simoneaux's lips turned up into a ghost of a smile. It was too late for her to start fresh, but not for Desi. She too had heard of Desi's childhood friend from the girl's
father and she had thought it a sin for Clyde to separate the two.
Desi was always as sad as she was, and Monique knew the reasons why. Her husband had taught his sons many things, and the lesson on how to treat women came in the form of watching him beat his own wife. In that arena, Byron Sr. had taught by example. The way the tall woman stood up to her husband told Monique she would fight anyone who hurt Desi, but she would never turn that anger on the woman at her side.
"Maybe it's time to let the girl be, Byron. She ain't ever gonna come back to our boy now, even if she wasn't with her friend. I think there's been enough trouble over this so let's concentrate on trying to work our way out of it instead of adding to our plate." She stepped away from him as she had her say, her hands working the leather strap of her purse nervously.
"There you go thinking again. You know it gets you into trouble every time. There ain't no way I'm going to live with the fact my son's wife threw him over for a woman. What'll people think? I'll tell you what they'll think, that we raised Byron to be some sort of fruit or something who can't keep his woman satisfied. No, Monique, Desiree is coming home even if it has to be in a pine box." With that said he grabbed Monique and pulled her down the remaining steps.
If only he could remember the bitch's name. He was sure Clyde had told him when they were making wedding plans. He did remember with sickening clarity when Desi's father told him about the night he saw his daughter on the front porch with that pervert. Byron had promised Clyde his son would handle the situation and make Desi forget she ever knew the woman.
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Harry and Desi went home after court, with Harry looking in the rearview mirror to make sure they didn't have any unwanted tagalongs. The security guard would be making a come back until the situation settled down and Harry felt comfortable leaving Desi and Mona alone in the house. When they walked through the door they heard Mona and Butch in the kitchen together having breakfast. Rachel had yet to make an appearance and Harry had a feeling she was sleeping the morning away in the large duplex Serena owned in the garden district.
"Hello, little buddy, what do you have there?" asked Harry.
"Uncle Harry! You're home and it's the daytime," screamed Butch. His face broke out into a big smile and he slammed his hands down on the table for emphasis of his joy.
"That I am, bud, and I'll be home all day so what would you all like to do?" She went over and picked him up so she could kiss him hello and leaned him over so Desi could do the same.
"Let's go swimming," said Butch without hesitation.
"Sounds like a plan, but before we do that, how would you like to go shopping?" As soon as the words left Harry's mouth, Mona jumped up and pulled a thermometer out of one of the cabinets and stuck it in her mouth.
"You better put that child down with you being delusional and all," Mona said in a serious tone. Harry did many things, but she knew shopping was not one of them.
"Come on, Mona, get dressed you can come with us," said Harry putting the thermometer back and handing Butch back to Mona. "Let's go change and we'll meet you both back down here," said Harry as she scooped Desi up into her arms.
They all left the kitchen laughing as they made their way upstairs to get ready. The only hints Harry would give was that they were to change into some shorts or jeans, and they had thirty minutes to do so.
"What are you up to, Basantes?" asked Desi as she wrapped her arms around the strong neck for her ride up the stairs. The unpleasantness of the morning was washing away under Harry's helpful guidance, and she was anticipating whatever adventure Harry had in mind.
"You're going to have to bear with me here and wait. No more hints or it'll ruin the surprise, but I promise when we're done, you'll think I'm wonderful and you won't be able to live without me," said Harry with a smile.
"Too late on that one, I already think that." She whispered softly into Harry's ear, then sucked her earlobe into her mouth and waited for the moan she knew was coming. Harry, God love her, was never one to disappoint, and feeling the warm mouth sucking gently made her not only moan but made her knees go weak.
"You need to behave and work with me here, honey, before I drop you and break something else," pleaded Harry. That made Desi move her lips from her ear to her neck. Mona just shook her head as she heard the giggles coming from Desi as Harry slammed their door shut.
Forty minutes later Harry and Desi made it back into the kitchen and announced they were ready to go. Both tried to ignore the knowing look Mona was giving them, but Desi couldn't help the blush that ran up her neck to her cheeks. Harry just wiggled her eyebrows at Mona making Desi's cheeks turn that much redder.
"Okay boys and girls we're here," said Harry as she turned into Dixie Art Supplies fifteen minutes later. The announcement got Desi to jump in her lap, a cry of delight from Butch and a confused look from Mona. "Come on, baby, let's go shopping," she said as they got out of the car.
Two hours later they finished making arrangements for the supplies Desi would need to be delivered that afternoon, and loading up the easel and finger-paints supplies they had gotten for Butch. Desi thought it would be a good way for the little boy to get to know her when he came over if she shared a part of her new haven with him so he could create his own art.
For the rest of the afternoon Harry and Mona worked as a team to clean up the studio so the deliverymen could install Desi's equipment when it came. They decided to leave the painting Harry loved so much hanging right where it was, since Desi had a feeling Harry would be spending more time out in the airy building. They left the guys to their job of putting in the wheel and kiln when they did arrive and took Butch swimming.
By nightfall the studio was ready for Desi's new career, they were grilling steaks for dinner, and there was a for sale sign on the front of Simoneaux's Car Repair. The only good news for everyone was that Vito, Al the bail bondsman's bounty hunter, was headed for Pensacola. After a heart to heart talk with Byron Sr., Vito was headed in the right direction since Al didn't want to be in the car repair business anymore than Byron wanted to lose what he had built, so it was in both their best interests that Byron and Mike be found.
Once this was all over and they had recovered the two Simoneaux brothers, Al was going to have to have another long talk with the elder Simoneaux to explain something would have to be sold to cover his cost of the bail. Byron Sr. had to understand Al wasn't doing this out of his kindness for his fellow man, and the way he saw it, the business was the only thing that would bring in the amount owed.
In Byron Sr.'s opinion, it was one more thing he blamed on his son's wife. Things were starting to unravel and only a show of force could upright his world again. Until that opportunity presented itself though, there was only Monique to take his frustrations out on.
When he came back into the house after telling Al and his people all he knew, Byron found his wife in the kitchen fixing dinner. He started taking deep breaths as she started to roll up his sleeves feeling the anger well up inside him.
To Monique it sounded like a wild animal getting ready to attack and it made her shoulders hitch in fear. She gripped the butcher knife in her hand and didn't move thinking he would just walk away. Silent tears started to fall because she knew Byron wasn't one to walk away.
The first blow knocked the knife loose and it went clattering across the floor. She ran as best she could still woozy from the blow, making it as far as the living room. There was only ten feet between her and freedom but Byron caught her before she made it to the front door.
"What have I told you about running you stupid bitch?"
It was an instant satisfaction to the animal inside him when his fist connected with the side of her head. The force of it arced her body backward giving it the appearance of a rag doll. A merciful blackness overcame her before her head hit with a sickly crack.
"Answer me," screamed Bryon as he picked up the first thing in his line of sight and
threw it at her.
It was the blood pouring from her head that finally woke him from the frenzy.
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Rachel and Serena showed up hand in hand just as Harry was pulling the meat off the grill and Mona was coming out with the salad. They were enjoying after dinner drinks by the pool when Serena's phone starting ringing. Apologizing for the interruption, she stepped a few feet away to answer it seeing from the caller I.D., it was the police precinct in the ninth ward.
"This is, Serena Ladding," she answered, pressing a finger into her ear to drown out her companions.
"Hey, Ms. Ladding, this is Roger Landry. I was the detective sent to interview Mrs. Desiree Simoneaux the night of her attack. I'm sorry to bother you but I thought you should know Byron Simoneaux Sr. beat his wife to death tonight. He called 911 after she stopped breathing but the paramedics couldn't save her when they arrived. The bastard crushed her skull when he pushed her into the coffee table in their living room and dropped some sort of doorstop on her. We have him in custody and are still looking for the two sons. Would you like for me to call Desi and tell her what happened?"
"I'm with her now, Detective Landry, I'll tell her. Thanks for letting me know." She had to lean on a chair to keep from falling over. Serena never had a conversation with Monique but she's seen her in court that morning. She looked depressed and beaten by life, but she was alive and breathing nonetheless. Serena felt Rachel step up and hug her and found herself crying over the death of someone she didn't know.
"It's okay, Serena, whatever it is we're here for you," cooed Rachel into her ear as she tightened her hold on her new friend. She looked back at Harry for help knowing that she'd known Serena longer than any of them there.
Harry just motioned by nodding to let Rachel know she was doing the right thing. Once she recovered her composure, she would share what had upset her so much. They were all thankful Butch had gone to sleep in Mona's lap and she'd left to go and put him down for the night. Seeing Serena so upset prompted Desi to sit in Harry's lap for her own comfort. Harry was also like sitting on a heating pad and the night had turned cool and windy.
