I woke up when I heard a knock at my door. Dad rushed in and chuckled when he saw me rubbing my eyes awake. "Up, up! Let's go!"
Smiling, I sat up and yawned. I could smell coffee being made in the kitchen, as I brushed my hair. "Heading out already?"
"You know how it is. Bye, honey," he said as he kissed my cheek and hurried out.
After I got dressed, I realized my laptop had died and charged it with a groan. I grabbed my backpack, and spotted Jonathon's card before leaving. I slipped it into my pocket, and hurried out of the house to hop in my car.
"A job..." I mumbled.
Carefully, I dialed his number half expecting him to answer. When he did, I smiled.
"Hey, it's me."
"Barbara? I didn't think you'd call so soon."
"I wanted to talk to you. It involves this case my dad's working on. I've been trying to follow it, and something tells me you have some information."
He chuckled a bit. "What case is that?"
"It's the Falcone case," I replied, holding my cellphone to my ear with my shoulder as I started my car.
There was a pause. "I think you should find another case, Barbara. It's too dangerous."
"So you are working that case?" I smirked.
I pulled out of the driveway and headed to the courthouse to meet him.
"Don't say I didn't warn you. Come on over for lunch. We can talk then."
"Great, thanks a lot."
After barely getting a parking spot, I hurried up the courthouse and saw him waiting for me at the top. We hugged as he adjusted his glasses. He motioned for me to follow him, saying the courthouse cafe was open. We managed to find a seat as I took out a notebook to scribble notes down.
"What're you up to, Babs? You going to catch Flacone by yourself?"
I shrugged and put my pen down for a moment. "Some nut broke into my Dad's office and pointed a gun at him. I have a right to get involved."
He frowned at that and leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "What? One of Falcone's men?"
His sudden interest made me smile. "He didn't say, but he looked pretty spooked. I already have some information on my laptop, but I had to leave it behind to charge. Is there anything you know?"
"Dr. Crane," a young woman said as she marched towards our table.
Jonathon smiled before clearing his throat. He turned in his chair to reply, "Yes, Miss Dawes? I'm having a lunch meeting right now. I'm sure this can wait-"
The woman had her hair in a bun, and her heels clicked loudly as she walked. She had to be a few years older than me. Jonathon hid his annoyance pretty well, and that's coming from someone who knew him pretty well.
"This is important. I need to ask you some questions-"
"Miss Dawes," he said, firmly but tamely, "I should've been more frank. I'm with an old acquaintance of mine. We can discuss this later, can't we?"
I felt bad for her even if I knew she was in the wrong. She stared at him, clearly holding back another comment, but slowly turned and left us alone. Jonathon faced me again and apologized.
"Boss?" I asked.
He scoffed and removed his glasses to rub his eyes, "No. She's nothing."
It made me feel proud of him, in a way. Standing up for himself like that. He wasn't always that way. I remembered his scrawny self always sitting alone, and getting harassed at school a few times. His hand trembled a bit as he tried to cover it up by adjusting his glasses. I'd never seen him so angry before, and it was kind of frightening to watch.
He glanced at his watch, and stood up, "You'll have to forgive me, but I need to go. I've got other things to worry about."
There wasn't much to do but stare as he excused himself. I managed to say "okay" before he marched off, and I wondered if he even heard me. There I sat among lawyers and judges for a few hours as I ate the rest of my food alone. After I finished, I headed out of the courthouse and drove home. As I pulled our street, I noticed Mom's car on the driveway, and several cardboard boxes next to it. Quickly, I pulled over and watched from several feet away. Junior appeared from inside, carrying his own box. He climbed into Mom's car and shut the door. Mom came out next as she hurriedly stuffed all the boxes into her trunk. My heart stopped when I realized what was happening.
My foot slammed on the gas as I drove to the house and swung my door open. Mom looked for a second then, quickly shut the trunk. I ran up the driveway, breathing heavily.
"No! What are you doing?" I cried out.
Mom pointed her finger at me and calmly said, "I'm getting a lawyer, Barbara. Stay out of my way. We're leaving."
I shook my head as I put both of my hands on my face in desperation. "No! Not with Junior, Mom! Please!"
Junior's door opened as he called out my name. I hurried to his door as Mom was already rushing to stop me. Junior held out his hands as he started crying. Mom pulled my arm back as she started yelling. I can't even remember what she was yelling as she pulled me back.
"Stop it! No! No!"
"Barbara!" Junior sobbed.
"It's over, stop! Stop!" Mom yelled as she kept pulling my arm.
"Get off me!"
Neighbors started coming out to watch as one of them came running towards us. He was blonde and I think he had gotten married recently. He urged my mom to let me go, as she had started crying.
"Call the police, man!" Someone yelled.
My eyes filled with tears as Junior stood by the car, unsure of what to do. He was still crying as his face turned red and wrinkled with worry.
"You're scaring him! Get off me!" I yelled at my mother.
It went to hell. Police sirens filled the air, as I gave up and stopped trying to reach Junior. Mom left me alone, and she went to hug my brother. A police car showed up and I recognized Anna Ramirez step out. She approached me first, asked me a few questions, and the other officer that accompanied her to speak with my Mom.
We were separated as Ramirez put a hand on my shoulder. I wiped my eyes and apologized.
"There's nothing to apologize for. But, you need to let them go, Babs. Maybe your dad can get his own lawyer, and file for custody-"
"That won't work, Anna. You know that," I interrupted, shaking my head.
Her eyes lowered and she nodded. She gave my arm a small rub before informing me that she was done with the questions. I was allowed to hug my brother goodbye as it felt like the entire city was watching. I held him tightly and he did the same. When I let him go, I kissed his little head, and watched him get into the car. Mom walked up to me, but I brushed past her and headed inside. I could feel Anna's disapproving stare, but at the time, I didn't care.
The cars had all gone when I looked back out my window that night. I didn't eat, and forgot to text Dad that he should order take-out. Most of the night, I was in bed, holding my pillow. Mom and Junior were hardly home, but this felt different. I may never see him again, I thought.
I heard the front door open, car keys jingle, and knew that meant Dad was home. My alarm clock read 2 in the morning, but I was wide awake. We met in the hallway, and he was surprised to see me up.
"What's up?"
I couldn't tell him, despite trying to figure out how I would all afternoon. He grimaced and held my arms.
"Come on, Babs. Talk to me. Are you hurt?"
Swallowing hard, I replied, "Mom..."
His eyes widened as he began to panic. "What? What happened?"
"She took her stuff, and Junior's..."
Dad stayed in that position for a few seconds, and slowly let his hold on me go limp. He hurried past me to check Junior's bedroom, and the silence after he opened the door said it all. He slowly let himself sink to the floor, sobbing. I never heard someone cry so quietly. After a few sobs, he gave up and cried louder.