(The next day)
Harry answered the ringing phone, "Hello?"
It was Margaret, "Hi honey, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing alright. How about yourself?"
"I'm doing great. There is a little get together at my boss' house tonight and I was hoping you would be able to get off work long enough to come."
"Sounds good, it doesn't seem like a very large docket tonight." He had completely forgot about his plans with Christine.
"Good, I'll come by your work and we will go from there."
"Alright, see you later." He hung up the phone just as Christine and Roz walked in. The minute Harry saw Christine he remembered everything. Oh no…
Christine smiled as she walked into the room, "Hello, Your Honor."
Roz stayed by the door, "We're ready to start when you are, sir."
"Thanks, Roz."
"Sir, are you feeling alright?" She noticed that he didn't look very well.
He stuttered a bit, "What? Um… yeah. Why do you ask?"
"You look very pale."
He wasn't really listening to her, he was busy thinking. Okay, so you ended up getting yourself into a mess. Nice going. But this it's not a big deal… you'll think of some way to get out of this. Think carefully this time so you don't screw everything up. First, you need to decide who you're going to go with. I guess I have to go with Margaret. How am I going to tell Christine? I should probably get rid of Roz first. "Hey Roz, could you give Miss Sullivan and I a few minutes?"
Roz nodded and left the room closing the door behind her.
Christine sat on the edge of Harry's desk. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Sort of… I actually have to ask you something."
"What's that? Is it about dinner?"
"Yeah… listen," she continued to sit on his desk listening. He looked in her eyes and just couldn't get himself to ask her to change the date. He knew that it was the guilt stopping him, not the actual question. How can I not go to dinner with her tonight? I made plans with her first. Besides, I don't want to go to another one of Margaret's boss' parties. I have nothing in common with those people… well you have to say something now. "how does pizza sound?"
Christine smiled, "Sounds great."
"Great." He stood up and started heading to the door along with Christine. They began session. The whole time Harry was feeling like there was something he had forgotten. He remembered when he saw Margaret walk through the courtroom doors. He couldn't believe that he had forgotten to call and cancel with her. Without thinking about the fact the Christine might not notice her, he yelled, "Margaret."
Christine looked up from a file she was looking over, turned around to look at Margaret, and then looked at Harry again. "Margaret?" she asked in a shocked tone. She wasn't sure if Margaret had come to get back together with Harry or if Harry had lied. She had the bad feeling that he had lied about breaking up with her. She could tell by how he was acting; he was looking pale like he had earlier and he was looking back and forth between her and Margaret. Now it's all making sense… I can't believe that he would do this to me. I trusted him. Maybe he was only trying to get rid of his guilt when he apologized. If he expects me to forgive him this time, he's going to have one hell of a time getting it. This really isn't like him. Margaret has changed him; he's lying, he's lost some of his wit, and he's just not the same person anymore. She had noticed that ever since she had been back, Harry was acting, well, more mature than he used to. When she first started working in his court five years ago, he was completely unpredictable and fun. Now he just seemed… so plain. It didn't work with him. He was meant to be animated. Okay, it's up to you to let him know about what Margaret's done to him… wait, why? He lied to me, I'd rather not be speaking to him at the moment… besides, Margaret is here. And she's now walking up to Harry… Oh please don't mention me.
In a somewhat hushed tone, Margaret questioned Harry, "What is this all about, Harry? You told me that you got rid of her!"
Harry looked around the room and noticed that all eyes were on him. He quickly stood up, "Recess." He banged his gavel, "Margaret, I'd like to speak with you in my office. You too, Miss Sullivan." He waited by the door.
Christine looked at Harry before moving, she was dreading what the near future had in store for her.
Be strong…
The three left the room leaving everybody else there puzzled.
