Chapter 3 1 page

"All rise, the court is now in session, the Honorable Judge Rose presiding," said the bailiff, Rudy Thibodaux. The old courtroom was packed with lawyers and defendants ready to enter their pleas. For his part, Judge Jude Rose hated Mondays.

The filth of the streets oozed into his domain on that day of the week, ready to exclaim their innocence to all who would listen. The worst part of the whole ordeal was he couldn't tell the attorneys apart from their clients anymore. Jude had watched over the years as petty drug dealers and ambulance chasing young attorneys, waiting to carve out their niche in the law industry, had overrun the city.

From his perch high above the fray, he looked out of the big windows onto Tulane Avenue, remembering his first time in this courtroom. As a young law student he had come after classes to watch the trial of Clay Shaw play itself out in the national headlines. It had been a time of good lawyering and a fair debate of both sides of the law. Now the building was full of those who sold nickel bags of crack cocaine, rapists, the big lugs who liked to beat up on their wives, and the new breed of bottom feeding lawyers who defended them.

Seeing the beautifully dressed Serena Ladding with a pile of files on the table made him guess today would be 'She asked for it, your honor,' day. It was such a lovely way to start the morning. "Ms. Ladding, what do you have for me today? Do you think we'll be finished by noon?" asked Jude.

"Forty eight cases, your honor, all pleadings, so we should be out of here by ten if everyone is present and there aren't any unexpected surprises."

"Good, let's get started, shall we." He cocked his chair back a little and adjusted the pistol he kept on his hip. In his time on the bench he'd only had occasion to fire it once, and New Orleans legend had it that the whole building had come to a stand still for almost five minutes.

The first thirty defendants plead guilty after cutting deals with the district attorney's office. No jail time for their crimes, if they signed up for individual and family therapy. Serena wasn't a big fan of therapy, but it was the best they could offer with the jail-overcrowding situation the city faced.

In her opinion, after a few weeks with the shrink these guys came to realize it was all their mother's fault they did what they did. If only mommy dearest had had the foresight to leave dear old dad, then they wouldn't have learned their behavior. As one man had told her once, when she had met with him and his attorney, 'You see, Ms. Ladding, I'm an abuser but I've got a good reason, it's all my bitch of a mother's fault.' It was a crock then and it was a crock now.

"On the last case, your honor, we request the Court remand Mr. Byron Simoneaux into custody due to the vicious, unprovoked attack on his wife, Desiree Simoneaux. Mrs. Simoneaux had to undergo extensive surgery to repair the damage done to her person by Byron Simoneaux. It's the opinion of the District Attorney's office that Mr. Simoneaux would pose a threat to his wife if allowed out on bail. Our office plans to move forward with charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon." Serena finished and turned to Byron and his attorney to see what bullshit issued forth.

"Your honor, Mr. Simoneaux is a law abiding citizen who doesn't even have as much as an outstanding parking ticket. He works hard and is being unjustly accused by a woman who wants out of her marriage, and plans to stick my client with a large alimony tab," started Bradley Blum, Byron's attorney.

The chair creaked as Jude swung it around and looked at Rudy and cocked a brow at the man in question. After spending years working together the bailiff smiled in understanding and adjusted his utility belt. "Bradley Blum, your honor, defense attorney for Mr. Simoneaux."

"Mr. Blum, have I addressed you?" asked Judge Rose, his chair came back down, and he pinned the young man with his infamous glare when he looked down from the bench.

"No, sir," answered Bradley, swallowing hard.

"Then why are you talking?" The tone of Jude's voice, and the way he was now leaning forward showed his displeasure.

"I just wanted to explain our position, your honor."

"You're talking again. My suggestion to you, Mr. Blum, is simple. You should take your cues from Ms. Ladding here and speak only when spoken to. Do you understand me, Mr. Blum?" asked Judge Rose. The way Jude kept repeating his name made Bradley think the judge wouldn't soon forget him. If that were the case, it wouldn't bode well for future appearances in his court.

The courtroom fell silent, waiting for the explosion that would surely be coming from the bench at any moment. Jude was famous for chewing these young guns up and spitting them out, making their clients question the wisdom of their choice of representation. Two minutes ticked by with no sound breaking except the ticking of the clock over the door. "I'm waiting, Mr. Blum, do you understand me?" asked Jude again as he reclined back in his leather chair.

"I'm sorry, your honor, I thought you told me not to talk," explained the now sweating Bradley. From the prosecutor's table Serena was trying valiantly to hide her smile behind her hand. She had been in Blum's place only once, and it had been an experience she never cared to repeat.

"I asked you a question, you idiot," screamed Jude.

"Yes, your honor, I understand you."

"Good, now, Ms. Ladding, what's the extent of Mrs. Simoneaux's injuries?" He never looked at her, keeping his eyes glued to one of the light fixtures in the room.

Serena went on to explain the nature and extent of Desi's injuries, and what Harry had done to repair them. She also explained a baseball bat found in the Simoneaux home had caused the injuries, and currently was in police custody in the evidence room, covered in Byron's fingerprints and Desi's blood.

"Thank you, Ms. Ladding. Now, Mr. Blum, let's hear from you." After laying out the reasons for allowing his client to be released on bond, Bradley judiciously fell silent waiting for Jude to rule on bail. Feeling Byron fidgeting beside him wearing his bright orange prison jumpsuit, Bradley made a mental note to tell him that Jude Rose never heard domestic violence cases, so there would be no repeat of today.

"In deference to this being Mr. Simoneaux's first criminal charge, I here by post bond in the amount of three and a half million dollars in cash or property. Thank you ladies and gentlemen, we're adjourned." With that Jude got up, readjusted the pistol under his robes, and walked out. Serena felt confident that having to put up four hundred and twenty thousand dollars for his share of the bail would keep Byron sitting in city jail for many days to come.

She walked out of the courtroom, through the curses hurled her way by Byron's family, heading toward her office. She had noticed the Simoneaux clan when she had gotten there that morning, thinking Byron and his brother Mike took after their father in looks. His mother looked like a small meek woman who was afraid of the large overweight man sitting beside her. Serena was sure his eldest son had learned how to deal with women from Byron, Sr.

From her office in the building where Jude's courtroom was located, Serena called Harry's house and spoke to Desi about the morning's proceedings. If Byron's attorney fast tracked the trial they could be back in court by the end of the month, which was fine with Serena. That would mean Desi would be sitting on the witness stand testifying with a cast on her leg, making what her husband did to her, that much more real.

"Thank you, Serena, I appreciate you calling me. Is it all right if I call Harry and let her know what's going on? She left early this morning, but I have her cell phone number in case I have to get in touch with her."

The explanation was longer than it had to be, but Serena understood where the need for confirmation was coming from. Women like Desi had learned, through violence, to never assume they could just do something without permission. When they did, it usually meant a beating. Hopefully with time and with Harry's loving guidance, Desi would find her self worth again. "No, that won't be a problem. Call her and tell her whatever you want. It'll be good for you to have someone to talk to during all this stuff. Because believe me, you'll have to deal with Byron's family, as well as your wonderful husband."

"Yeah, when Byron and Mike get together and start drinking, they are a force to be reckoned with. Add their father into that mix and it's total disaster for whatever or whoever gets in their way. Do you think Harry will be in any danger?" She bit her lip after asking, the thought popping into her head for the first time.

"If your in-laws know what's good for them, they'll stay the hell away from Harry. The Goddess of the Bones is a wonderful healer, but on the flip side, she can just as easily break every bone in your body. Harry studied martial arts in college, and when you combine that with her medical training, she knows all the places to hit you that'll count."

She studied her broken leg and thought about what Serena had said after hanging up the phone. Would Harry hurt her, and was she exchanging one bad situation for something worse? She couldn't fathom Harry ever lifting a hand to hit her, but she hadn't seen Harry in years. Sometimes things changed. She put the receiver down, deciding to wait to call the surgeon. There was no reason to disturb her if she didn't have to.

Harry wasn't expected home until eight or nine due to a back up in surgery, so when Desi heard the side door into the kitchen close, she wondered who it was. Looking at the digital clock next to the bed she noticed it was three thirty in the afternoon. She had slept longer than she had planned after her conversation with Serena, and now that she was well rested but still groggy, wondered what she was going to do with herself for the rest of the day.

"Hey there, sweetheart, how are you feeling?" Harry asked when she walked into the room carrying some shopping bags.

"What are you doing here?" She blinked repeatedly trying to focus after just waking up and looked to the clock again, thinking it had to be wrong.

"I live here," replied Harry, arching an eyebrow.

"I know that, wise guy. I just wasn't expecting you until late. Come here, since I can't come to you yet," said Desi crooking her finger toward Harry.

Harry walked over to the bed, leaned down and gave Desi a kiss hello. Having left even earlier than Desi suspected that morning, Harry was able to get through all of her more difficult surgeries by two that afternoon. What were left were cases the students could do with just a little supervision, so she had arranged for another instructor to monitor their progress. Stopping at one of the local medical supply companies and a few other places, Harry picked up some surprises for Desi, and planned on spending the rest of the afternoon enjoying them with her.

"Has anyone ever told you that you look sexy in green?" Desi eyed Harry in her surgical scrubs and smiled.

"Don't try to suck up to me, Thompson. I did bring home a surprise for you, but I don't know if I'll share it with you now." She threw the bags in her hands back out into the hallway.

"Aw, come on, Harry, I was just surprised to see you is all. That doesn't mean I didn't want to see you. What's my surprise?" She rubbed her hands together in anticipation remembering all the times Harry showed up with some little something she thought Desi would like.

"You're going to have to wait until I change before I give it to you."

Changing into sweatpants and a fleece top, Harry went out into the hall to retrieve her first set of surprises. Coming back in with the bags, she approached the bed to give them to Desi. "How'd you like to go to the park with me and feed the ducks? We could do it right after I run." Harry asked Desi shyly holding out the bags in her hand.

"I would love to do that with you, but I can't." She pointed to her leg in a way that showed how amused she was that Harry could forget her current state of health.

"I didn't ask you if you could, I asked you if you wanted to. Now do you want to?"

"Yes, I'd love to." Desi looked up at her in adoration and wondered what guiding spirit had brought Harry back into her life.

Handing over the first bag, Harry wiggled her eyebrows. Opening it while looking at Harry, Desi finally peeked inside. She found a sports bra and a nice fleece pullover similar to the one Harry had on. At the bottom of the bag was a pair of jogging pants with snaps all the way up the sides. They were the kind meant to be pulled off once you got to the track. In the other bag, Desi found several pairs of cashmere socks and a hat.

"Do you want me to help you put all that stuff on?"

"I think I can manage with the top part but I'll need you to help with the bottom. Now turn around, doctor." Desi twirled her finger in a circle as a way to get Harry to comply.

Harry turned around and waited for the grunting from the bed to stop. Getting the go ahead from Desi, she turned around to help her put the pants on. Harry pooled the sheets around Desi's waist before lifting her a little so Desi could pull the unsnapped pants around her bottom. Once she had the uninjured leg all covered up Harry folded the other pants leg so it wouldn't touch the site of Desi's injury. She then unpacked one pair of the socks and put them on her small delicate feet.

"Ready to go?" Harry was so excited she looked at her like a kid at Christmas.

"I don't know what you have in mind, but I'm ready to go," answered Desi. Harry picked her up and carried her out of the room down the stairs.

"Want a tour while I have you down here?" asked Harry.

"Sure, I didn't get to see much of the house when I first got here. Let's take a look at Tony's handy work."

"You can take notes so you can tell him what you like when they come over for dinner tonight." Harry carried Desi around showing her the main floor of the house, ending the tour at the side door where she had parked the Land Rover.

Putting her in the back seat so she could stretch out her broken leg, Harry jumped into the driver's seat and headed in the direction of Audubon Park. The park was one of the nicest spots in the city of New Orleans for a number of outdoor activities. It had a two-mile track around the park for the local runners and walkers, as well as cyclist and roller bladders. As you made the circuit around the park you could watch the golfers playing on the eighteen-hole course located in the middle of the park. Numerous ponds situated throughout the property were home to large duck, swan and turtle populations. Accustomed to visitors feeding them, the feathered inhabitants of the park were known to eat right out of your hand.

Pulling into the lot located at the back entrance to the park, Harry found a spot close to the track. She went to the back of the vehicle and pulled out her last surprise. Locking the brakes so she could retrieve Desi, she almost laughed at the shocked expression on her face. It was a variation of a racer wheelchair and Harry had picked it because it absorbed bumps better than the standard ones the hospital used. Now she could bring Desi with her when she came to the park to run.

"Want to go for a ride, little girl?"

"Harry, won't that hurt your back to stoop down and push me?" She eyed the chair with a bit of skepticism.

"Nope, I got the one with adjustable handles. It'll be like running holding on to the bar of a treadmill. Let me get your hat, your blanket and the bread for the ducks. You're going to have to hold those until we're done."

Running at a slower pace than usual, Harry pushed Desi around the track five times. From her vantage point, Desi relaxed into the chair and enjoyed the canopy of oaks that completely covered the wide lane they were on. She didn't worry about her leg since it rested on a firm support sticking straight out, knowing Harry wouldn't let anyone anywhere near them.

The cold weather of February had killed off most of the vegetation around them, but Desi still enjoyed being out in the crisp air. With her hands holding the bag of bread and blanket on her lap she was warm and content, letting Harry do all the work.

In the middle of their sixth circuit around, Harry slowed and pulled them off the track and down to the edge of one of the larger ponds. Before the chair rolled to a stop the ducks were heading out of the water anticipating a treat. The winded runner took the blanket off Desi's lap and spread it on the ground, then pulled Desi out of the chair and sat her down so she would be closer to the water.

Sitting side by side they took their time in tearing the loaf into small pieces and tossing it to the now boisterous crowd they had attracted. As the sun was setting and the temperature dropped with it, Harry put her passenger back in the chair and headed to the car. As she leaned down to put Desi in the back seat, Harry paused when she saw the tears steaming down Desi's face.

"Are you hurting?" asked Harry, already cursing herself for this stupid idea. Desi just shook her head but wasn't saying anything to allay Harry's worry.

After the afternoon spent with Harry, and having her think of everything to make her comfortable, made Desi realize something. Her fears after talking with Serena were unfounded. Harry would never raise a hand against her, more likely she would spend the rest of her life protecting her and making her happy if given the chance. Desi felt ashamed for even allowing the thought to cross her mind.

Feeling Harry pick her up and cradle her against her chest, Desi clung to her as if she were afraid Harry was going to disappear. "It's okay, honey, whatever it is, it'll be okay. Just tell me what's the matter?" Harry's voice was low and right next to her ear.

"Please don't let me go," sobbed Desi. How could she have traded anything for this? Harry had always been so good to her, and Desi's gratitude had been abandonment. She should have tried harder to find a better solution for them and not wasted all those years apart.

"I won't let you go, but let's get you in the car, I don't want you adding a cold to your list of woes."

Sitting in the back seat together, Harry put Desi on her lap making sure her leg was clear of getting bumped on anything. Holding the still crying Desi, Harry just ran a soothing hand along her back trying to get her to calm down. "I talked to Serena today about Byron and their appearance in court," started Desi in a small voice.

"Did something happen that Serena wasn't expecting?" With a gentle hand, Harry wiped away the tears that were still falling.

"No, she got the judge to go along with all the charges she filed against him and got a really high bond posted."

She put two long fingers under Desi's chin and slowly lifted up so she could look her in the eye. "Am I wrong in thinking those are good things?"

"You aren't wrong, it's just that when we finished talking about Byron, we started talking about you…" Desi didn't know how to begin this conversation much less end it.

"Is there something I did to upset you? Did Serena say something?" The last question was asked in shock since Harry couldn't believe her friend would say something to make Desi lose faith in her.

She shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut in an effort not to see the hurt on Harry's face when she confessed her fears. "No, she would never do that to you, Harry, you know that. We were just talking about you and she told me you took these martial arts classes and I thought…" Again she stopped, the shame of her thoughts too big a burden to bear.

"You thought I'd come home one day and use you as a punching bag?" asked a surprised Harry. "That's it, isn't it?"

"Yes, but then you did all this and it made me feel like a real moron for thinking that. I know you. I may not know what you've been up to for the past few years, but I know you. Now I feel like an idiot for not realizing how improbable it would be for you to change your basic nature. Can you forgive me for thinking that?"

"Honey, with the experience you've lived through I don't blame you for being afraid and for having your own self interest at heart. In the future if you have any doubts or questions about anything, do you promise to share them with me? If you aren't comfortable talking to me, then just ask Serena or maybe Mona. You might not know them as well as you do me, but I can promise they'll always be honest with you. We have a history, but in reality, we're starting fresh here, so the more we talk, the less chance there will be of getting off track."

Desi reached out a tentative hand and stroked the side of Harry's face. "This is just all so new to me. I have so many memories of you, but I had to bury them so deep for so long that I find myself lost sometimes."

"You take all the time you need and never be afraid to talk to me." The smile Harry was wearing made Desi mirror the action. "And just so you know, I took those classes after Tony, Kenneth and I got to LSU. We were coming home one night when a carload of jocks passed us and saw the guys holding hands. They didn't get out and they didn't throw anything at us, we were lucky in that regard. But it made me realize that because of our choices, we might not always be so lucky. By learning and training, I've at least given myself a fighting chance if that should happen again. I haven't hit anything in a while except the bag in the gym, and the only fights with people I've been in have been in the ring with an instructor near by."

"Harry, you don't have to justify or explain your reasons to me, I know you'd never hurt me. I just wish I could go back and change the past, then maybe I wouldn't be such a wreck." Desi moved closer and sighed when Harry's arms held her tight.

"Nah, you would've hated to be around me in med school, I was a bitch to live with, just ask the boys. You now get to enjoy the mellow Harry."

"I would take you in any state, Harry, I love you," confessed Desi. Harry pulled back and looked at Desi after the words had come out of her mouth. Oh shit that's not a happy face, thought Desi.

"What did you just say?" asked Harry, the words coming out slowly as if she were savoring each one.

"I would take you in any state."

"After that."

"I love you."

"That's it. Do you mean that?"

"With all my heart. I always have you know, since that first day you rescued Rachel and me from those bullies. It's been the one constant in my life."

"I love you, Desi. God, that feels good to finally be able to say out loud. Now there's just one thing left to do."

"What's that, Dr. Harry?"

"You need an attorney, the quicker the better."

"Why in the world do I need an attorney for?"

"You need a divorce, and pronto."

************************************************************************

"Did you have a nice time, sweetie?" Mona tapped a large spoon on the side of a rather sizable pot simmering on the stove then bent down to check the fire. "Though somebody should've known better than to keep you out there so long in this awful weather."

"It was wonderful, Mona. I promise, it was fine." Desi's hands were folded in her lap enjoying the ride as Harry pushed her further into the warm kitchen. "My doctor took very good care of me."

Mona noticed the large smile the comment caused on Harry's face and if the doctor in question had walked out right then, Mona would've kissed Desi for putting it there. "Kept you warm, did she?"

A blush colored Desi's cheeks as she nodded. "She did, and it was nice being outside again, especially there." She cocked her head back so she could see Harry. "Do you remember all our afternoons in the park?"

"I think I remember every day I spent with you, darlin'."

The blush deepened making Desi want to cover her ears they felt so hot. "It was one of the first times in my life I started to notice how incredible you look when you move."

*****

The group was still huddled together as their opponents stood waiting across from them. At the center of the closed circle knelt Harry going over the play one more time. When she stood, they all clapped their hands and yelled, "Break!"

"Blue twenty-two. Blue twenty-two," the center readied himself to hike her the ball. "Hut, hut," she paused before the third trying to gauge which way the defense was going to move. "Hut."

With the ball in play, Harry rolled right looking for her friend Joe. He was as tall as she was and had great hands for catching anything she threw his way. She let it fly and it almost stung when he reached up and snagged the perfect spiral out of the air. Since there was no one around him, Joe sailed easily past the two oak trees they were using as goal posts. The first one there to congratulate him was Harry.

"It's a shame you can't be there every Friday night, buddy. You sure would be better than that butthead Byron," he commented as they ran back to where they had dropped their gear.

"Nah, I just like the occasional pick up game. If I had to go to all those practices I wouldn't have time to help Desi with her math homework." Harry winked at the girl she was talking about then frowned when she got no reaction. Desi was sitting on a blanket in the sun with a far off look in her eye as if she were daydreaming. "You in there, Des?"

The snapping fingers made Desi look up then blush when she noticed both Harry and Joe staring at her funny. "Fine, I'm fine." She ran her hand over her face a couple of times before moving to her knees to start picking up her stuff. Lately it had been torture sittingon the sidelines watching Harry show off her athletic abilities and not jump up and kiss her every time she made a good play.

"Are you sure?" asked Harry when it was just the two of them.

"Nothing's wrong, I promise." Her math book got crammed into the book bag followed by her notebook.

"Are you in a hurry to get somewhere?"

Desi stopped. "Not really. Why?"

"I just thought we could sit here for a little while now that it's quiet." Harry offered her hand to her and was pulled down for her trouble. From the corner of her eye, Desi spent the afternoon watching Harry's profile as she looked up at the sky and smiled.

*****

"I remember this one day when we were out there just laying and looking at clouds. If we exchanged two words that afternoon it was a lot, but it's a day I think of often," said Harry. She moved next to the chair and dropped to her knees.

"Why that day?"

"Because it was a perfect day with a perfect girl, and it's a good memory to revisit when I need to relax."

Desi's eyes turned glassy and she tried to turn away from Harry, feeling embarrassed by the emotional display. "I'm sorry. You must think you're living with an emotional wreck, but sometimes I can't help it." She wiped her face as if exasperated with herself.

"Hey, you take all the time you want to get all those feelings out." She took hold of Desi's hands and lovingly kissed each finger, tasting the saltiness of whatever had upset her. "It may not register now, but one day the tears won't come as easily for the sad days because eventually your head and your heart will realize you're safe." Harry lowered her head and kissed Desi's palms. "You're safe here with me and you always will be, I swear it on everything I believe."

Mona stepped away to give them the privacy they needed and spotted Kenneth and Tony's car on the front drive. She opened the door and waved them in, wanting Harry and Desi to finish maneuvering whatever emotional landmines they had stepped into without interruption.

"I know that, and I'm sorry," continued Desi. "It's just that it's funny to hear you still think about days like that."

"I love you, sweetheart, so of course I would."

Desi dropped her head until her chin hit her chest. "When we spent that last night together on our swing, it was the last time until now that I've known true peace. The last time I felt desirable to someone who I wanted that kind of attention from."

Date: 2015-02-28; view: 728