2-Integrity

They sat in the small conference room in the tall downtown Seattle skyscraper. Outside, the sun was shining and the temperature had risen to well above eighty degrees, making it an unusual summer-like day in the middle of spring, when the skies were usually overcast. How ironic that the day was so nice when he was in the midst of the worst experience of his life.

Inside the conference room the air was chilly and rigid, the mood even worse. Niles could have joked that the chill in the air was from the presence of Maris and her shark-like lawyers who sat at the large mahogany table facing him. And suddenly he was even more grateful for the dark curly-headed man who sat beside him, displaying a confidence that Niles would never be able to match.

Donny Douglas was, for lack of a better word, a godsend. Had Roz not mentioned that her former boyfriend was a highly respected divorce lawyer, Niles might never have had the courage to end his marriage to Maris once and for all. It had taken many months to get to this point but now that it had come he could hardly believe that the day was here. In less than twenty-four hours, he'd be a free man. The thought both thrilled and terrified him.

The judge stood and looked at both parties, saying a few words. And then it began; the name-calling, the hurling of insults, and the painful memories that resurfaced. Niles took it all in but no matter how hard he tried to retaliate and stand up for himself and his dignity, his words seemed to pale in comparison. After almost two hours of bantering, he simply couldn't take it any longer. He rose to his feet and held up his hands, bringing everyone in the room to silence.

"Niles, what in the hell are you doing?"

Niles was so numb, that he had no idea who was speaking. The only thing he knew was that he needed to get out of the room, which suddenly felt like a prison. He turned to Donny, who was eying him in confusion.

"Niles? What in the hell is going on?" Donny asked, reminding Niles that he was the one who had spoken before, having said the same words.

"I-I needs some air." Niles announced.

Donny turned to Maris and her lawyers. "We'll be right back."

Niles was aware of Donny's presence, following him out of the conference room and into the hallway but Niles paid him no mind, choosing instead to lean his head against the wall.

"Hey, what's going on?"

Niles lifted his head and looked at the man who was about to change his life forever. "I-I don't…"

"What?" Donny prompted. "What is it? Come on, Crane! They're waiting for us!"

"I don't know if I can do this." Niles confessed, suddenly feeling insignificant and very small. "What if I say the wrong thing?"

Donny smiled and put his hand on Niles' shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll do all the talking."

He nodded, fully aware that Donny was able to see the worry in his eyes.

"Look Niles, I know it's hard. And Maris… Oh boy, she's relentless, isn't she?"

Niles looked away, but Donny patted his back. "She may try to take your money and some of your possessions but there's one thing she can't take from you and that's your integrity."

Niles smiled weakly and hugged his lawyer. "Thanks, Donny. You're a good friend."

~TBC~