Free Not Dead Yet by Pegi Price Page B

the 9:30 am docket and another sixty on the 10:30 am docket.  Theia was on the 10:30, so they had a long wait. 
    Theia sat with eleven other lawyers who had gotten there early enough to get a seat in the jury box.  Since the pews were filled to the brim with people who were either seeking an order of protection or trying to get out of one, all the other lawyers had to mill about on foot. 
    Adult abuse court was a soul-sucking pit.  Usually the dregs of society were paraded out for public display and humiliation.  Some people found entertainment in waving their own tawdry banner of bad taste, just like people on trashy television shows.
    “So, what happened?” asked Lu, as she squatted down next to Theia’s chair. 
    “Jesus, Lu!  You have to stop just popping up like that.  You scared the hell out of me!  What are you doing here?”  Theia asked.
    “Barnum & Bailey isn’t in town, so I thought I’d come watch this circus,” Lu said.  “That, and it’s fun to watch you jump.  It always works.” 
    Theia glared at her.  “Are you on a case in this division or just taking up floor space?”
    “No.  I had a termination of parental rights case in Juvenile court, and swung by here afterward.  Your office said you would be here,” Lu explained.
    “So, how did your case go?”  Theia stalled.
    “The case was a no brainer.  The pervert was already in prison for what he did to his kids. He only objected so he could take a field trip to court.  Now, are you going to tell me what is going on, or do I have to wait all day?” Lu asked.
    “I told the cop about the two times Donald contacted you, that you were getting your number changed and we were staying the hell out of it,” Theia dutifully answered.
    “Just like that?”
    “Yeah, just like that,” Theia confirmed.  “He did suggest that you not change your number and that I continue to pass the messages on to him, but I refused.  I’m done with this case.”
    “I hear you.  I mean, jeez, look at the grocery bags under your eyes,” Lu taunted.
    “Bitch!  I do not have grocery bags under my eyes.”
    “Fine, you keep telling yourself that.  I’m surprised you didn’t get them their own chair.”
    “Did you come here for any purpose other than to tell me I look bad?” Theia demanded.
    Lu paused for a moment, then the seat next to Theia opened up.  Lu snatched it before someone else could.  She leaned in and whispered, “Look, I just want to make sure you’re okay.  I realized after we talked this might bring back some bad memories … so, how are you holding up?”
    Having a reputation as a tough broad to uphold, Lu couldn’t exactly act all maternal.  Theia nodded at her, eyes sad and tired.
    “I did have a horrible nightmare,” Theia admitted.  “I’m afraid that if I get involved in this case, I would start having them every night again, and I just couldn’t take it.  Oh, and then there’s the very real possibility that if I tried to play hero I could wake up dead. So yeah, I’m stressed - in fact, I went to see a shrink.”
    “You what?” Lu asked.  She looked up at the ceiling.
    “What are you doing?” Theia asked.
    “Looking for flying pigs.”
    “Smart ass.  I don’t need to go to a shrink.  There is nothing wrong with me.  I just wanted confirmation that I’m not messed up from my past, so everyone will get off my back,” Theia muttered.
    Lu shook her head at Theia, smiling.  “Let me know how that works for you.”
    “I’m fine,” Theia said evenly.  “I’m just fine.  You know, maybe if everyone worried more about Rose and less about me, someone would find her before it’s too late.”
    “I can’t imagine what her life is like,” Lu said softly.  “Can you imagine what it is like to be her?  To have no hope that things will get better?”
    “Yes, actually.”
    “Oh, stupid question, sorry.”
    “It’s okay.”
    “You know, I haven’t lived it like you and Rose, but I had a