Chapter Two

"No, Donna, tell him I'll reschedule the meeting for Wednesday." Mike glanced over at the three piece suit man, Harvey. He had briefly mentioned his name before this 'Donna' had called. Harvey had gestured for Mike to give directions to his driver Ray. Who the hell even has a personal driver? Mike drug his dirty sneaker across the pristine car floor spitefully, glaring at the ma- Harvey, who was gesturing as if the woman on the phone could see him. Snorting softly at the view he turned back to Ray.

"You turn left at the light, the building will be down two blocks on the right." The sound of his voice must have caught Harvey's attention because the man snapped his fingers at him pointing angrily at his shoes, still scuffing across the carpet.

"No, Donna, I heard you, and I understand what Daniel wants but there is no- yes, yes I realize that Jessica…" As Harvey lapsed into silence to listen to the other end of the conversation Mike glared angrily out the darkly tinted windows. As if anyone would actually want to look in at Harvey. Mike still couldn't believe he had basically kidnapped him. He should sue Harvey.

But it would never hold up, Harvey hadn't actually forced him into the car. He just stood there holding the door with a raised eyebrow until Mike finally flopped into the car. Because really, Mandy and Jim were nice enough, but his foster parents would never really care about the stolen bracelet, there was too much else going on. Always. "This is it." His voice sounded soft, almost weak. Clearing his throat he repeated himself. Much better.

The second the car was to a stop, or close enough to a stop, Mike wrenched open the door and pushed through the few people on the sidewalk. Maybe, Harvey would be caught up enough in his phone call that he would forget to-

"Hey, kid! Wait."

Goddammit. Turning slowly on his heel, Mike crossed his arms, his exasperated puff of air visible in the January air. Harvey had still yet to even ask his name.

"I do have a name you know."

The look Harvey was giving him was not what he expected. Instead of looking repentant, the man was looking at him like he was an imbecile.

"Most people do, kid. Now what apartment is it?" Without waiting for Mike to follow he took off into the building, strikingly out of place in his fancy tailored suit next to the peeling paint and water damaged building.

He'd expected it to be bad. The building itself looked as if it should be condemned, but he had been inside cramped apartment 17B for almost three minutes and had counted at least six kids, one of which had almost put their finger paint covered hands on his suit. He had visibly cringed, and the kid, Mike he now knew was his name, had given a snort and disappeared into a room blaring loud music. At the sound of what Harvey assumed was a bedroom door slamming, a plump lady made her way around a tight corner, a faded apron tied around her waist.

"Matt!" her shrill voice cut across the apartment, and the only response was an increase in the music's volume. Pushing a frizzy slightly grey curl she gave a huff and turned, jumping at the sight of an unknown man in her apartment.

"Who… who are you?" she sputtered taking a cautious step forward.

Harvey barely contained his eye roll. "Harvey Spector." his curt voice seemed to do nothing to alleviate her concern. "You're Mike's foster mother?"

Her hands wringing the apron strands, she glanced towards the bedroom door a confused look coloring her face. "Mike? We have a Matt, but no Mike. I think you're confused, sir."

As if he knew he was being discussed, the kid came out of the bedroom leaving the door wide open. As he swung a messenger bag over his shoulder he sent a glare in both of their directions.

"Mike is leaving." the acidity of his tone, if it could have at all been ignored, was solidified by the solid sound of the apartment door slamming behind him. The kid was definitely not happy.

When Harvey turned back to the lady, he still didn't know her name which seemed to be a trend of the day, he was shocked. She didn't at all look concerned the kid had just walked out.

"Do you know where he went?"

Startled she looked back at him, as if she had expected he had left with Mike. "No, Matt disappears a lot. Always comes back though. That's all that matters."

"Mrs. Mandy," a little girl with lopsided pigtails and what Harvey really hoped was chocolate on her face came into the room. "Kirk took my dolly, and he and Amy taped it to the ceiling!" As the first tear escaped down her face, Mandy, Harvey now knew her name, gave a frustrated sigh and stalked towards the same bedroom Mike had come out of earlier.

Deciding he didn't have the time for this, he needed to get back to the litigation he was working on, Harvey set his business card on the counter and stalked out the building, not giving it a backwards look.

"Hi, Michael." the nurses sweet smile eased some of the tension Mike was feeling and he kindly returned her greeting before making his way down the tight hallway. He had been here enough times before, he could navigate his way through with ease.

"Hey, Grammy," he slid into the room, gently closing the door behind him.

"Hey, hun, how was your day?" Mike guiltily scooted across the small room in the nursing home, sitting in the chair by the window.

"Uh, it was fine…" At Grammy's raised eyebrow, Mike knew she was aware he was lying, but she had stopped pushing for details a few weeks ago.

"I went to the library today, want me to read?" Not waiting for her answer, Mike pulled the thick volume from his messenger bag.

"Michael, that's a textbook, not light reading."

For the first time in a few hours, Mike gave a small smile. "Corporate Law. Be ready to get informed, Grammy."

Laughing gently at her grandson's enthusiasm she leaned back against her pillow and allowed his voice to lull her to sleep.