2/2
Chapter 27
“Good man,” Walter said, patting Milton on the arm.
“Leonard,” a woman called out and she looked over and let out a long breath.
“It’ll be fine, I’m right here,” her dad said as he guided her into the courtroom.
She got to the table she would be sitting at, and Milton pulled out her chair, helping her to sit.
“I am so happy my daughter met a guy who knows that he may be born male, and with age, he became a man but chooses to be a gentleman.” She frowned at her dad, wondering what he was going on about. Just as she was about to open her mouth to talk, she was cut off by a harsh voice she had begun to hate the sound of.
“No guy can treat her like a lady… she’s a bitch.”
Pandora kept her face turned away from Derrik, but her dad jumped up.
“Watch it, boy!”
“Screw you, Walter,” Derrik mocked like a little child.
“Move over to your own desk now, Sir,” a court officer said, and Derrik huffed loudly and walked away.
The court was called to order, and they all rose as the judge entered. Once they were seated again, the judge asked some questions and Pandora answered, explaining her case to him as Derrik huffed all the way through it.
“I just want what is mine; I deserve at least seventy percent of the house, Derrik whined.
“Sir, Ms. Leonard got the house in her divorce, I cannot and would not overturn that.”
“But she’s planning on renting it out!” Derrik yelled back at the judge.
“That’s not your concern if she does. Ms. Leonard, are you renting the home out right now?”
“No, your honor, nor do I intend to rent it out. I have two babies on the way. I need my home to provide them with a place to live.”
“Yes, you are, don’t lie! I have seen the other people’s mail!” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he clapped his mouth closed. Pandora closed her eyes, pressing her lips together, crossing my arms over her chest.
“He has been messing around with my mail!” she yelled in her head.
“You were
touching her mailbox, her private, federally protected mail?” The judge asked, not squnding too happy about what Derrik had just admitted.
“It’s my mailbox, too; I picked it out at the store,” Derrik argued, and she turned her head to look at him, trying hard to work out if he had always been that stupid.
“Ms. Leonard, I am granting you a full restraining order. That means you, Mr. Derrik Preston, cannot go near her, her home, or her work. This includes her mail, car, where she shops, and her doctor’s office, anywhere. If you are someplace in public, and she shows up, you better stay the hell away from her. Do you understand?”
“No… why are guys always on her side?”
The judge’s face turned a strange red color as he stared Derrik down. “Please explain to your client the terms of this order, and why it is required because of his harassment of Ms. Leonard.” The judge banged his gavel, then stood up and walked away.
“Let’s go,” Milton said, helping her to stand.
“What the hell are you doing, Pandora, fucking all these judges, too?” Derrik hissed but stopped and chuckled. “No, wait, that can’t be it, because you’re shitty in bed. You never wanted to fuck!” He stopped and leaned to the side. “Oh, Derrik, please stop, it hurts,” he said while putting on a girly voice and waving his hands around.
Milton pulled me behind him. “You better watch your mouth.”
“Or what, wuss?”
Milton just took a step back from Derrik. “Come on, I promised your dad I would join you for lunch.”
Derrik watched the three of them walk out of the courtroom with narrowed eyes.
“He’s an asshole, Pandora. What the hell were you doing with him?” Milton asked and she shook her head at him.
“When I figure it out, I’ll let you know.”
She left her car at the courthouse as her dad drove her to a nearby restaurant, and Milton followed them.
“Milton is a nice guy, don’t you think? her dad said, trying hard to sound neutral. “Handsome, I’d say, too.”
“He is, Pandora agreed, and his wife sounds amazing,” she quickly added.
“Married? Damn it, I would’ve liked him as a son–in–law.”
Pandora shook her head at him. “Come on, Pandora, at least he’s a good guy, you said so yourself. I just want someone good for you and my grandbabies.”
“I know, but they’ll have a great grandpa, so I know there will not be a lack for a great male role model.”
“Damn right, and after all that fucker Berrik has done, I think it would be good for you to find a cop or prosecutor to date.” Pandora frowned at him. “That way Milton can be in your life as a friend, and his wife, too. I am sure she can join the monthly parties.” She snorted but still humored his flight of fantasy.
“Hey, Pandora, Benjamin said, meeting him at the front of his practice.
“Hi?” I said with a frown, which stayed in place as she walked into the dark waiting area.
“The nurse had a family emergency and had to leave, so it’s just you and I.” Benjamin stopped walking and looked down at her. “Is that okay?”
She chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, it’s fine, but I should tell you that I am hungry. I mean, really hungry. If you upset me, then I’m going to have to eat you.”
Benjamin smiled, but it looked a little crooked because of the fact he was biting his bottom lip. She pulled her eyebrows down as she tried to work out what was with him that night. Nothing more was said as they made their way to the scale and then the bathroom.
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