by Keri Peardon
Clarice said, as they drove the mile to McDonald’s.
Scott smiled. “Yes, she is.”
“What’s she do?”
Oh, what doesn’t she do. “She helps me,” he replied out loud. “She answers the phone, and makes appointments, and types up documents.”
“What do you do?”
“I talk to clients and figure out what they need and I represent them in court.”
“Can I go to court with you sometime?”
Scott considered it. “Yes, I suppose you can. I’ll take you one evening when I have a case.”
“Okay,” she said, beaming again.
Scott picked up the required Happy Meal, then took Clarice back to the office. He set up her dinner for her on the table in his apartment, and turned on the television.
“I have to go meet my client now,” he said, handing her the remote control. “If you need anything, go upstairs and ask Josie.”
When Scott escorted his client to the front door a half hour later, he noticed that Clarice had pulled one of the lobby chairs around Josie’s desk, and was sitting beside her. They were both pouring over something. It appeared to be the pictures of comforter sets that Scott had printed.
Before he had a chance to say anything, though, a white car pulled up in front of the building and honked its horn.
“That’s Mama,” Clarice said, hurriedly hopping out of the chair. She started for the front door, but Scott stopped her.
“Where’s your backpack?”
“Oh, yeah!” she said. She turned and raced down the hallway.
“I think she got scared sitting down there by herself,” Josie said quietly.
“I appreciate you entertaining her,” he said, carrying the arm chair back to its place.
“Oh, it’s no trouble,” she said. “I like kids.”
He smiled a little. “Do you want some?”
“Yeah, one of each, I think.”
Scott’s smile grew sadder. “Clarice will be my only one.”
Josie looked at him sympathetically. “Would you have more, if you could?”
“Yeah. I wouldn’t mind three.”
They were interrupted by Clarice running back down the hallway, hell-bent-for-leather.
“Hey, don’t forget your pictures,” Josie said, holding up the stack of papers.
“Oh, thanks,” Clarice said, looking a bit embarrassed at having forgotten them.
“Pick out one—or at least narrow it down to the top three,” Scott instructed.
“Okay.” She hurried for the door.
“Can I have a hug before you go?” Scott asked.
“Yeah,” she said with a smile. Scott bent down to hug her, and was pleased at the strength of her embrace. It was like old times.
He stood up again. “I’ll see you Tuesday afternoon.”
“Okay. Bye!”
“Bye. I love you.”
She smiled. “I love you, too.” And then she was out the door, running for her mother’s car.
“Pleasant of Maggie to come in,” Josie said sarcastically, as she watched the white car slowly back up, then pull away.
“It’s no big loss to me, to be honest,” Scott replied.
She looked at him. “Why’d she have the sudden change of heart? …About letting you see Clarice, I mean.”
“I don’t know. But I mean to find out.”
Episode 14: Maggie’s True Motives
Scott was double-checking the Permanent Parenting Plan that Josie had drawn up for him and Maggie, when she rang his phone.
Scott pressed the speaker button. “Yes?” he asked, not looking up from the document. Josie had recalculated child support based on the fact that he got custody of Clarice for a few hours each week, and it lowered what he was paying Maggie. He wondered if she would accept it. While it was fair, he didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize his time with Clarice. He’d live in poverty if that’s what it took to buy time with his daughter.
“Are you available? Mrs. Stanley just walked in and would like to see you.”
Scott looked up at that. “Yes, send her in.”
A minute later, there was a knock on his door.
“Come in,” he said, pushing his PPP to the side.
Mrs. Stanley walked in and shut the door behind her. Scott immediately noticed something different about her. She stood up straighter and looked less downtrodden and meek. Scott smiled inwardly, pleased with himself.
“What can I do for you, Mrs. Stanley?”
She took a seat across from his desk. “I just wanted to let you know that my ex-husband hasn’t bothered me in a couple of weeks.”
“Good,” Scott said firmly.
“I actually ran into him at Wal-Mart last night. He saw me, but he turned around and went the other way like his ass was on fire.”
Scott had to laugh. “I’m glad.”
“His face looked like he’d been in an accident, though… or beat up. It was kind of bruised and yellow in some places. His nose looked broken too.”
“Really?” Scott said, trying to sound shocked.
“You promised you’d get him to leave me alone,” Mrs. Stanley hinted.
“So I did.”
There was a long moment of silence, then finally Mrs. Stanley stood up, smiling. “I just thought you would like to know that.”
“Yes, I’m glad to know he’s leaving you alone. You let me know if he doesn’t.”
“I will.” She fished a check out of her pocketbook. “Should I give this to your secretary, or do you want it?”
“What’s that for?” he asked, confused.
“It’s my weekly payment… for you working on my case.”
“Oh,” Scott replied. He had forgotten she was paying him to handle her case… legally.
“You know what, Mrs. Stanley,” he said, “since he’s not bothering you now, you don’t have to pay me anything more. If he starts again, we’ll worry about you paying the balance, but otherwise, we’ll just consider it even.”
She looked shocked. “I… think you deserve this… for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Keep it,” he said firmly.
Tears welled up in her eyes. “I really appreciate you, Mr. Cunningham.”
“My pleasure.” He laughed a little. “Just recommend me to your friends if they need a lawyer.”
“I definitely will,” she replied with a smile.
