Chapter 3.
The next evening at exactly six Kathleen responded to the knocking on the door by opening and revealing Ripley. He stood there in his brown jacket covering a dark brown shirt that hung over the waistband of his blue jeans, carrying a bag with bottles of soda and wine in on hand and a rose in the other. He held the flower out to her, and Kathleen accepted it. "Come in," she said. Patrick stood nearby looking up at Ripley. "Patrick, this is Judge Ripley," she said.
Ripley walked over to him and held out his hand. "Jack," he said, bending down to grasp hands with Patrick.
"But not with your friends," Kathleen added quickly. "Then it's Judge Ripley."
"OK, Mom," Patrick said.
"I'll open the wine," Kathleen said, accepting the bottle and leaving Ripley with Patrick for a few moments. She could hear them talking – Ripley commenting on the apartment, Patrick asking if he liked pasta – and was pleased that Ripley wasn't treating Patrick like a child. If Ripley was still worried he wasn't showing it; he appeared completely at ease with her son.
They were seated at the table when she got there, Ripley to Patrick's right; Kathleen sat at Patrick's left across from Ripley. He stood and filled the wineglasses. Patrick's glass already held root beer. As Ripley filled his salad bowl from the big bowl at the center of the table Patrick said, "Where are you from?"
Ripley smiled. "Tennessee," he said, "not far from Nashville. My parents were in the music business…on the business side. No one has much musical talent in my family, though I did learn the guitar and a few songs."
"Country music?" Patrick asked.
"Yes," Ripley said. "It came with the territory."
"Do you still play?" Patrick asked.
"I haven't for a while," Ripley said.
They ate their salads in silence for a few moments. Finally Kathleen asked, "Do you miss Tennessee?"
"Not really," Ripley said. "I think sometimes that I should go down there for a visit…but I don't have a desire to spend more time than a few days."
"Do you have family there?" Patrick asked.
"My parents passed on, and I'm an only child," Ripley said.
"Sorry," Patrick said.
"It's OK," Ripley said. "I'm…I have friends here."
"Like Mom," Patrick said.
Ripley looked over at her, and Kathleen smiled. "No one is like your mom," he said.
"You like her a lot."
"Patrick."
"It's OK," Ripley said. "Yes, I like her very much."
"Do you want to marry her?" Patrick asked.
"Patrick, we discussed this," Kathleen said.
"What did you decide?" Ripley asked.
"That it's too soon to be asking that," she said.
"Is it too soon to venture an opinion?" he asked.
Kathleen looked into his warm, intelligent eyes. "I think so," she said.
"OK," Ripley said. "So," he said, looking at Patrick, "you're the judge tonight. I'll tell you a little bit about myself, and you can ask me whatever you want." And he spoke briefly on his childhood, schooling, and being a judge. Kathleen watched him, listening, wondering if she could see herself sitting across a table from him every day, sharing everything with him, spending every night with him. He looked at her, and her stomach fluttered. Damn it, Ripley, she thought, and she smiled.
"Do you ever overrule Mom?" Patrick asked.
Ripley looked back at him. "I have," he said. "Sometimes your mom stretches the rules a bit…"
"Like any attorney does," Kathleen says.
"Right," Ripley said. "Like all attorneys do. Your mom is a very talented attorney, and she does a lot of good for people who need it."
"So you like her more than the other attorneys," Patrick said.
"Yes," Ripley said. "But that's why your mom no longer has cases in my court. Just to be sure that everything is fair."
"Is that important to you?" Patrick said.
"Very important," Ripley said.
"Do you like my dad?" Patrick asked.
Kathleen could see that Ripley was surprised by the question. "Is everyone done with the salads?" she asked. Ripley and Patrick said yes, and she gathered the salad materials. Ripley stood and refilled the glasses. Kathleen returned with the main course, penne pasta with vegetables and mushrooms.
When she was seated again, Ripley said, "Your dad and I don't interact much." He didn't look away from Patrick, and that impressed Kathleen. "But I spoke with him recently, and I could see that he is intelligent and hardworking. Do you plan to be a lawyer like your parents?"
The conversational turn was obvious but smooth, and Patrick launched into his desire to be a firefighter or a cop, two careers that scared Kathleen to death. Ripley discussed them with interest, asking questions and making related comments. Kathleen watched Ripley maneuver with admiration.
After dinner, washing the dishes, and a bit more talk, Kathleen walked Ripley out to the elevators. "Thank you for inviting me," he said.
"Thank you for coming," Kathleen said.
The elevator dinged, the doors opened, and they both went inside. "When will I find out the ruling?" Ripley asked when the doors closed.
"Patrick will be with Dan tomorrow," Kathleen said. "We can get together then."
"Tomorrow," Ripley said coolly, clearly displeased.
The doors opened, and they walked into the empty lobby. Kathleen took Ripley's hand and led him to a bench. "I'll talk to Patrick tonight," she said when they were sitting. "Then we can discuss all this tomorrow."
"You could call me tonight," Ripley said softly.
"There are some things I'll need to think through," Kathleen said.
Ripley held her gaze for a long moment and then said, "Did I screw up?"
"No, it isn't that…it's the opposite of that."
"What does that mean?"
"It means things are really good between us…but they have been moving so fast…"
"And you need time to decide if it's really what you want." He released her hand and stood. "I'll be working at home tomorrow," he said evenly. "You can come by whenever…or call me."
"Don't be angry about this, Jack," she said.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Ripley said…and then walked out the door.
"Son of a bitch," Kathleen said, storming after him…stunned to find that it was pouring rain and to see Ripley walking through it to his car like it wasn't happening. "Jack!" she shouted. "Ripley!" He stopped and turned, and they stared at each other across several yards, water soaking both of them. Then Ripley headed over to her, and they were embracing tightly and fiercely in the rain. "Don't ever do that," she said in his ear. "Don't ever walk out like that."
Ripley pulled back enough so she could see his face. "I'm sorry," he said, and he kissed her firmly, his wet hands on her face. "If you need time, take it. I won't…"
Kathleen put her fingers over his lips. "Go home and get warm and dry," she said. "Get in bed and think of me. I'll be thinking of you."
He kissed her lips again. "Goodnight, Kathleen," Ripley said. "Tell Patrick goodnight for me."
"I will," she said. "I love you."
"I love you," he said, touching her hair as he released her slowly and then headed to the car.
* * * * * * * * *
When Kathleen had dried off and changed clothes she joined Patrick in his room. "Are you in love with him?" Patrick asked.
She was silent for a moment. "Tell me what you think first," she said.
"You went after him in the rain…"
"Tell me what you think of him," Kathleen said.
"He seems cool," Patrick said.
"Yeah?" Kathleen said.
"Yeah," Patrick said. "Though I wouldn't expect a judge to be nervous."
"He seemed nervous to you?" Kathleen said.
"Yeah," Patrick said. "And I don't think he likes Dad."
"Judge Ripley and your father are both very proud men," Kathleen said. "It isn't necessarily that they don't like each other…they just have a tendency to square off against one another."
"Because of you?" Patrick asked.
"It may be about that a little," Kathleen said. "But it also has to do with the work environment we're all in." Patrick looked away from her. "What?" she asked.
"It would be weird to have another guy around…for me and for Dad," he said.
"I think it would be weird for all of us," Kathleen said. "It would take some adjustments for both of us. And your Dad will always be your Dad; it may not be easy for him to see us with someone else. It would require all of us to be mature."
"He makes you happy?" Patrick asked.
"Yes," Kathleen said.
"Dad can't do that?"
"Not anymore."
"I want you to be happy."
"I know you do," Kathleen said. "And I want the same for you. If you're not ready for this…"
"I know you and Dad aren't getting back together."
"Right…"
"And I don't want you to be lonely and sad," he said. When had he gotten so wise? Kathleen thought. "I like him."
"Good," Kathleen said. "I do too."
* * * * * * * * *
"Ripley."
"Are you warm and dry?"
"Not as warm as I could be," he said softly. "I thought we were going to talk tomorrow."
"I wanted to hear your voice."
"How does it sound?"
"Good. Really good."
"Yours too."
"Are you in bed?"
"Pacing."
"Get in bed."
"What if I…"
"Overruled."
There were a few minutes of quiet rustling and then: "OK, counselor."
"Close your eyes."
Silence, then: "You're going to kill me with this, Maguire."
Kathleen closed her eyes. "What do you see?" she asked.
"The most beautiful woman I've known," Ripley said.
"Not me?"
He laughed softly. "Do you see me?" he asked.
"Clearly."
"This is cruel and unusual punishment."
"I think you can take it."
"Can you?"
"For now," Kathleen said. "I'll be with you when I can."
"I'll be ready."
"I know you will."
"I love you, Kathleen."
"I love you too, Jack."
* * * * * * * * *
When Dan arrived to pick up Patrick he looked at her for a long time. Did she really look that different? "You're still seeing Ripley?" he asked finally when Patrick was getting his things to go.
"I don't think that's your business, Dan," Kathleen said.
"We're all officers of the court…"
"And that isn't your interest in this," she said.
"I need to know that my son is…"
"Don't start with that," Kathleen said, fury bubbling up. "Stay out of my personal life, Dan. It isn't your business anymore."
"My son is…" He stopped when Patrick came back in the room. Kathleen saw Patrick to the door and kissed him, then went over with both when he would be back. She waited impatiently for a half hour after they were gone before she headed out and over to Ripley's.
* * * * * * * * *
He opened the door after the first knock, as though he had been waiting there all day. And the look on his face and the quick touch of his hands seemed to confirm that notion. He had her in his arms before she was even inside, his hot lips on neck.
"I've missed you," Kathleen said.
"It's been much too long, counselor," Ripley replied, kicking the door shut. He took her hand and led her to the stairs and up to the bedroom.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Damn it, Ripley," Kathleen said from where she laid beside him.
Ripley laughed. "It should be like this every afternoon," he said.
"What about the law?"
"Screw the law."
"I think I just did."
Ripley smiled. "You have a dirty mind, counselor," he said.
"You have a beautiful body, your honor," Kathleen replied.
Ripley caressed her face gently. "Thank you," he whispered as he moved closer, kissing her cheek and then her neck.
"We need to talk, Jack," she said, though she didn't really want him to stop.
"Ugh," he said. Ripley rolled back onto his back. "I'm glad you said the other thing first."
Kathleen smiled. "You're a gorgeous man," she said.
He laughed. "It isn't that bad, is it?" he asked.
"It matters how much you value your freedom," she said.
Ripley turned his face to her. "This is really deep water," he said.
"The deepest," Kathleen said.
"What did Patrick say?" he asked.
"Marginally positive, but he's worried about you and his father."
"Marginally positive?"
"He doesn't have a problem with you, and he gets that I really like you."
"Like?"
"You know what I mean."
"You haven't told him you love me."
"I want him to get adjusted to you first. If I say that, it forces him to like you." Ripley looked at the ceiling. "He will like you, Jack," she said. "I'm sure of it." He looked at her. "There's no question for me," she said. "If that's what you're thinking, forget it. I'm in all the way."
"All the way," he said.
"Right," Kathleen said.
"I am too," Ripley said.
"Good," she said.
"What's the part about Dan?" Ripley asked.
"That isn't going to be easy," Kathleen said.
"Because of Patrick…or because of Dan?"
"He's…jealous."
"Dan."
"Yes."
"He told you that?"
"I can tell, Jack," Kathleen said. She sighed. "He asked about you…about us."
"And?"
"I told him it wasn't his business. But he is Patrick's father."
"It's complicated," Ripley said.
"Yes, very."
"Patrick thinks I don't like Dan?"
Kathleen laughed. "I guess he's perceptive," she said. "Let's face it: There's going to be difficulty between the two of you simply in being my ex and my current…love."
Ripley smiled briefly. "Do you think he wants you back?" he asked.
"I don't know what he wants…I never did, and that was part of the problem between us," Kathleen said. "Dan is all about playing games, especially games of one-upmanship. And of course the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence."
"He's not coming on my side," Ripley said.
"That's the thing…you're going to have to take it easy, Jack," Kathleen said. "Dan is part of the equation because of Patrick. He will always be part of it."
"He's a part of Patrick's life and yours at a tangent," Ripley said. "He is not a part of us, Kathleen. He doesn't come between us."
"That wasn't what I meant," Kathleen said.
"I will put him in his place if I have to," Ripley said.
Kathleen rolled her eyes. "Jesus, Jack," she said.
"Don't think I don't mean it," Ripley said.
"I don't," Kathleen said. "But you have to be diplomatic…"
"To a point," Ripley said.
"All I'm asking is that you give a little more distance to that point," she said.
"I'm willing to give Dan plenty of distance," he said. "All I ask is that he give me the same."
Which he won't, Kathleen thought. "Do you want to have kids?" she asked.
He smiled. "Do you think I'm that easy to misdirect, counselor?" he asked.
"I think that subject is a dead end, and this one is more interesting," she said. "Well?"
"Yes," Ripley said. "I'd like to have a child."
"We're both getting older…"
"Not too old yet," Ripley said.
"No, not yet," Kathleen replied.
"What about you?"
"I'd like to have your child."
His eyes glistened. "Yeah?" he said softly.
"Yeah."
"How long until I can ask you to marry me?" he asked.
"Don't joke about that."
"I'm not joking."
Kathleen studied his face and saw that it was true. "Slow down a little," she said. "Let's take a little time to enjoy the love part first."
"Is that gone after marriage?" Ripley asked.
"Just slow down."
After a moment Ripley said: "OK." He kissed her cheek and then drew her into his arms. "Let me know when it's time," he said. He held her to him gently, and Kathleen closed her eyes. She felt the best that she had in weeks, months maybe. "Patrick seems like a good kid," he said.
"Thanks," Kathleen said.
"How does he do in school?"
"A's and B's mostly."
"That's good."
"Yeah."
"It seemed like you don't want him to be a firefighter or cop."
"I want him to be safe."
Ripley's soft lips brushed over her hair. "He's a smart kid," he said. "He'll take care of himself."
"I hope so," Kathleen said. "He's my world."
"I know," Ripley said. She could almost hear the soft pounding of his heart.
"You're a big part of it too."
"I hope so."
"You are," Kathleen said. "Did you always want to be in the law?"
"That's what my parents wanted," Ripley said. "It didn't really matter to me."
"Why did they want it?"
"I think they thought it would bring them prestige…and keep me out of trouble."
"Did it?"
"Mostly."
Kathleen turned in his arms, looked in his eyes. "Have you been in trouble?" she asked quietly, seriously.
"Once…a long time ago," Ripley said.
"Were you arrested?" Ripley was silent long enough to signal assent. "How long ago?" Kathleen asked.
"I was 17."
"What was the charge?"
"Does it matter?"
"It couldn't have been any big deal," Kathleen said. "What was it…shoplifting?"
"Give me something first."
"I already gave you something."
Ripley laughed. "That's different," he said. "Give me some dirt."
Kathleen released an exaggerated sigh. "OK, I slept with one of my professors in college," she said.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Which class?"
"Zoology."
Ripley smiled. "Did he give you an A?" he asked.
"Jesus, Jack."
"Well?"
"Yes. But I earned it."
"Of course."
"So tell me the charge."
"Promise you won't tell anyone, ever," Ripley said seriously.
"Did you kill someone?" Kathleen asked, only partly kidding.
"Promise."
"I promise."
He shifted slightly to rest more closely against her. "Possession," he whispered. "But it never even went to arraignment," he continued in a more normal tone. "The charges were dropped…misinterpretation of the situation."
She could see the truth in his eyes; he wasn't hiding it. "Possession of…"
"Two joints of pot."
Kathleen laughed. "That's pretty bad," she said. "Did you…"
"No, I didn't inhale."
"Me neither."
Ripley smiled. "Looks like we both have sordid pasts, counselor," he said.
"I guess we'll just have to watch one another closely," Kathleen said. And she pressed her lips firmly to his…which yielded easily to the pressure. Kathleen spent the afternoon in Ripley's big bed, kissing, touching, talking – loving him, and receiving love in a way she hadn't known in a long time…maybe ever. She had never looked in Dan's eyes and seen what she saw in Ripley's. And what she saw in Ripley's was something she wanted to hold onto forever.
The next evening at exactly six Kathleen responded to the knocking on the door by opening and revealing Ripley. He stood there in his brown jacket covering a dark brown shirt that hung over the waistband of his blue jeans, carrying a bag with bottles of soda and wine in on hand and a rose in the other. He held the flower out to her, and Kathleen accepted it. "Come in," she said. Patrick stood nearby looking up at Ripley. "Patrick, this is Judge Ripley," she said.
Ripley walked over to him and held out his hand. "Jack," he said, bending down to grasp hands with Patrick.
"But not with your friends," Kathleen added quickly. "Then it's Judge Ripley."
"OK, Mom," Patrick said.
"I'll open the wine," Kathleen said, accepting the bottle and leaving Ripley with Patrick for a few moments. She could hear them talking – Ripley commenting on the apartment, Patrick asking if he liked pasta – and was pleased that Ripley wasn't treating Patrick like a child. If Ripley was still worried he wasn't showing it; he appeared completely at ease with her son.
They were seated at the table when she got there, Ripley to Patrick's right; Kathleen sat at Patrick's left across from Ripley. He stood and filled the wineglasses. Patrick's glass already held root beer. As Ripley filled his salad bowl from the big bowl at the center of the table Patrick said, "Where are you from?"
Ripley smiled. "Tennessee," he said, "not far from Nashville. My parents were in the music business…on the business side. No one has much musical talent in my family, though I did learn the guitar and a few songs."
"Country music?" Patrick asked.
"Yes," Ripley said. "It came with the territory."
"Do you still play?" Patrick asked.
"I haven't for a while," Ripley said.
They ate their salads in silence for a few moments. Finally Kathleen asked, "Do you miss Tennessee?"
"Not really," Ripley said. "I think sometimes that I should go down there for a visit…but I don't have a desire to spend more time than a few days."
"Do you have family there?" Patrick asked.
"My parents passed on, and I'm an only child," Ripley said.
"Sorry," Patrick said.
"It's OK," Ripley said. "I'm…I have friends here."
"Like Mom," Patrick said.
Ripley looked over at her, and Kathleen smiled. "No one is like your mom," he said.
"You like her a lot."
"Patrick."
"It's OK," Ripley said. "Yes, I like her very much."
"Do you want to marry her?" Patrick asked.
"Patrick, we discussed this," Kathleen said.
"What did you decide?" Ripley asked.
"That it's too soon to be asking that," she said.
"Is it too soon to venture an opinion?" he asked.
Kathleen looked into his warm, intelligent eyes. "I think so," she said.
"OK," Ripley said. "So," he said, looking at Patrick, "you're the judge tonight. I'll tell you a little bit about myself, and you can ask me whatever you want." And he spoke briefly on his childhood, schooling, and being a judge. Kathleen watched him, listening, wondering if she could see herself sitting across a table from him every day, sharing everything with him, spending every night with him. He looked at her, and her stomach fluttered. Damn it, Ripley, she thought, and she smiled.
"Do you ever overrule Mom?" Patrick asked.
Ripley looked back at him. "I have," he said. "Sometimes your mom stretches the rules a bit…"
"Like any attorney does," Kathleen says.
"Right," Ripley said. "Like all attorneys do. Your mom is a very talented attorney, and she does a lot of good for people who need it."
"So you like her more than the other attorneys," Patrick said.
"Yes," Ripley said. "But that's why your mom no longer has cases in my court. Just to be sure that everything is fair."
"Is that important to you?" Patrick said.
"Very important," Ripley said.
"Do you like my dad?" Patrick asked.
Kathleen could see that Ripley was surprised by the question. "Is everyone done with the salads?" she asked. Ripley and Patrick said yes, and she gathered the salad materials. Ripley stood and refilled the glasses. Kathleen returned with the main course, penne pasta with vegetables and mushrooms.
When she was seated again, Ripley said, "Your dad and I don't interact much." He didn't look away from Patrick, and that impressed Kathleen. "But I spoke with him recently, and I could see that he is intelligent and hardworking. Do you plan to be a lawyer like your parents?"
The conversational turn was obvious but smooth, and Patrick launched into his desire to be a firefighter or a cop, two careers that scared Kathleen to death. Ripley discussed them with interest, asking questions and making related comments. Kathleen watched Ripley maneuver with admiration.
After dinner, washing the dishes, and a bit more talk, Kathleen walked Ripley out to the elevators. "Thank you for inviting me," he said.
"Thank you for coming," Kathleen said.
The elevator dinged, the doors opened, and they both went inside. "When will I find out the ruling?" Ripley asked when the doors closed.
"Patrick will be with Dan tomorrow," Kathleen said. "We can get together then."
"Tomorrow," Ripley said coolly, clearly displeased.
The doors opened, and they walked into the empty lobby. Kathleen took Ripley's hand and led him to a bench. "I'll talk to Patrick tonight," she said when they were sitting. "Then we can discuss all this tomorrow."
"You could call me tonight," Ripley said softly.
"There are some things I'll need to think through," Kathleen said.
Ripley held her gaze for a long moment and then said, "Did I screw up?"
"No, it isn't that…it's the opposite of that."
"What does that mean?"
"It means things are really good between us…but they have been moving so fast…"
"And you need time to decide if it's really what you want." He released her hand and stood. "I'll be working at home tomorrow," he said evenly. "You can come by whenever…or call me."
"Don't be angry about this, Jack," she said.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Ripley said…and then walked out the door.
"Son of a bitch," Kathleen said, storming after him…stunned to find that it was pouring rain and to see Ripley walking through it to his car like it wasn't happening. "Jack!" she shouted. "Ripley!" He stopped and turned, and they stared at each other across several yards, water soaking both of them. Then Ripley headed over to her, and they were embracing tightly and fiercely in the rain. "Don't ever do that," she said in his ear. "Don't ever walk out like that."
Ripley pulled back enough so she could see his face. "I'm sorry," he said, and he kissed her firmly, his wet hands on her face. "If you need time, take it. I won't…"
Kathleen put her fingers over his lips. "Go home and get warm and dry," she said. "Get in bed and think of me. I'll be thinking of you."
He kissed her lips again. "Goodnight, Kathleen," Ripley said. "Tell Patrick goodnight for me."
"I will," she said. "I love you."
"I love you," he said, touching her hair as he released her slowly and then headed to the car.
* * * * * * * * *
When Kathleen had dried off and changed clothes she joined Patrick in his room. "Are you in love with him?" Patrick asked.
She was silent for a moment. "Tell me what you think first," she said.
"You went after him in the rain…"
"Tell me what you think of him," Kathleen said.
"He seems cool," Patrick said.
"Yeah?" Kathleen said.
"Yeah," Patrick said. "Though I wouldn't expect a judge to be nervous."
"He seemed nervous to you?" Kathleen said.
"Yeah," Patrick said. "And I don't think he likes Dad."
"Judge Ripley and your father are both very proud men," Kathleen said. "It isn't necessarily that they don't like each other…they just have a tendency to square off against one another."
"Because of you?" Patrick asked.
"It may be about that a little," Kathleen said. "But it also has to do with the work environment we're all in." Patrick looked away from her. "What?" she asked.
"It would be weird to have another guy around…for me and for Dad," he said.
"I think it would be weird for all of us," Kathleen said. "It would take some adjustments for both of us. And your Dad will always be your Dad; it may not be easy for him to see us with someone else. It would require all of us to be mature."
"He makes you happy?" Patrick asked.
"Yes," Kathleen said.
"Dad can't do that?"
"Not anymore."
"I want you to be happy."
"I know you do," Kathleen said. "And I want the same for you. If you're not ready for this…"
"I know you and Dad aren't getting back together."
"Right…"
"And I don't want you to be lonely and sad," he said. When had he gotten so wise? Kathleen thought. "I like him."
"Good," Kathleen said. "I do too."
* * * * * * * * *
"Ripley."
"Are you warm and dry?"
"Not as warm as I could be," he said softly. "I thought we were going to talk tomorrow."
"I wanted to hear your voice."
"How does it sound?"
"Good. Really good."
"Yours too."
"Are you in bed?"
"Pacing."
"Get in bed."
"What if I…"
"Overruled."
There were a few minutes of quiet rustling and then: "OK, counselor."
"Close your eyes."
Silence, then: "You're going to kill me with this, Maguire."
Kathleen closed her eyes. "What do you see?" she asked.
"The most beautiful woman I've known," Ripley said.
"Not me?"
He laughed softly. "Do you see me?" he asked.
"Clearly."
"This is cruel and unusual punishment."
"I think you can take it."
"Can you?"
"For now," Kathleen said. "I'll be with you when I can."
"I'll be ready."
"I know you will."
"I love you, Kathleen."
"I love you too, Jack."
* * * * * * * * *
When Dan arrived to pick up Patrick he looked at her for a long time. Did she really look that different? "You're still seeing Ripley?" he asked finally when Patrick was getting his things to go.
"I don't think that's your business, Dan," Kathleen said.
"We're all officers of the court…"
"And that isn't your interest in this," she said.
"I need to know that my son is…"
"Don't start with that," Kathleen said, fury bubbling up. "Stay out of my personal life, Dan. It isn't your business anymore."
"My son is…" He stopped when Patrick came back in the room. Kathleen saw Patrick to the door and kissed him, then went over with both when he would be back. She waited impatiently for a half hour after they were gone before she headed out and over to Ripley's.
* * * * * * * * *
He opened the door after the first knock, as though he had been waiting there all day. And the look on his face and the quick touch of his hands seemed to confirm that notion. He had her in his arms before she was even inside, his hot lips on neck.
"I've missed you," Kathleen said.
"It's been much too long, counselor," Ripley replied, kicking the door shut. He took her hand and led her to the stairs and up to the bedroom.
* * * * * * * * * *
"Damn it, Ripley," Kathleen said from where she laid beside him.
Ripley laughed. "It should be like this every afternoon," he said.
"What about the law?"
"Screw the law."
"I think I just did."
Ripley smiled. "You have a dirty mind, counselor," he said.
"You have a beautiful body, your honor," Kathleen replied.
Ripley caressed her face gently. "Thank you," he whispered as he moved closer, kissing her cheek and then her neck.
"We need to talk, Jack," she said, though she didn't really want him to stop.
"Ugh," he said. Ripley rolled back onto his back. "I'm glad you said the other thing first."
Kathleen smiled. "You're a gorgeous man," she said.
He laughed. "It isn't that bad, is it?" he asked.
"It matters how much you value your freedom," she said.
Ripley turned his face to her. "This is really deep water," he said.
"The deepest," Kathleen said.
"What did Patrick say?" he asked.
"Marginally positive, but he's worried about you and his father."
"Marginally positive?"
"He doesn't have a problem with you, and he gets that I really like you."
"Like?"
"You know what I mean."
"You haven't told him you love me."
"I want him to get adjusted to you first. If I say that, it forces him to like you." Ripley looked at the ceiling. "He will like you, Jack," she said. "I'm sure of it." He looked at her. "There's no question for me," she said. "If that's what you're thinking, forget it. I'm in all the way."
"All the way," he said.
"Right," Kathleen said.
"I am too," Ripley said.
"Good," she said.
"What's the part about Dan?" Ripley asked.
"That isn't going to be easy," Kathleen said.
"Because of Patrick…or because of Dan?"
"He's…jealous."
"Dan."
"Yes."
"He told you that?"
"I can tell, Jack," Kathleen said. She sighed. "He asked about you…about us."
"And?"
"I told him it wasn't his business. But he is Patrick's father."
"It's complicated," Ripley said.
"Yes, very."
"Patrick thinks I don't like Dan?"
Kathleen laughed. "I guess he's perceptive," she said. "Let's face it: There's going to be difficulty between the two of you simply in being my ex and my current…love."
Ripley smiled briefly. "Do you think he wants you back?" he asked.
"I don't know what he wants…I never did, and that was part of the problem between us," Kathleen said. "Dan is all about playing games, especially games of one-upmanship. And of course the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence."
"He's not coming on my side," Ripley said.
"That's the thing…you're going to have to take it easy, Jack," Kathleen said. "Dan is part of the equation because of Patrick. He will always be part of it."
"He's a part of Patrick's life and yours at a tangent," Ripley said. "He is not a part of us, Kathleen. He doesn't come between us."
"That wasn't what I meant," Kathleen said.
"I will put him in his place if I have to," Ripley said.
Kathleen rolled her eyes. "Jesus, Jack," she said.
"Don't think I don't mean it," Ripley said.
"I don't," Kathleen said. "But you have to be diplomatic…"
"To a point," Ripley said.
"All I'm asking is that you give a little more distance to that point," she said.
"I'm willing to give Dan plenty of distance," he said. "All I ask is that he give me the same."
Which he won't, Kathleen thought. "Do you want to have kids?" she asked.
He smiled. "Do you think I'm that easy to misdirect, counselor?" he asked.
"I think that subject is a dead end, and this one is more interesting," she said. "Well?"
"Yes," Ripley said. "I'd like to have a child."
"We're both getting older…"
"Not too old yet," Ripley said.
"No, not yet," Kathleen replied.
"What about you?"
"I'd like to have your child."
His eyes glistened. "Yeah?" he said softly.
"Yeah."
"How long until I can ask you to marry me?" he asked.
"Don't joke about that."
"I'm not joking."
Kathleen studied his face and saw that it was true. "Slow down a little," she said. "Let's take a little time to enjoy the love part first."
"Is that gone after marriage?" Ripley asked.
"Just slow down."
After a moment Ripley said: "OK." He kissed her cheek and then drew her into his arms. "Let me know when it's time," he said. He held her to him gently, and Kathleen closed her eyes. She felt the best that she had in weeks, months maybe. "Patrick seems like a good kid," he said.
"Thanks," Kathleen said.
"How does he do in school?"
"A's and B's mostly."
"That's good."
"Yeah."
"It seemed like you don't want him to be a firefighter or cop."
"I want him to be safe."
Ripley's soft lips brushed over her hair. "He's a smart kid," he said. "He'll take care of himself."
"I hope so," Kathleen said. "He's my world."
"I know," Ripley said. She could almost hear the soft pounding of his heart.
"You're a big part of it too."
"I hope so."
"You are," Kathleen said. "Did you always want to be in the law?"
"That's what my parents wanted," Ripley said. "It didn't really matter to me."
"Why did they want it?"
"I think they thought it would bring them prestige…and keep me out of trouble."
"Did it?"
"Mostly."
Kathleen turned in his arms, looked in his eyes. "Have you been in trouble?" she asked quietly, seriously.
"Once…a long time ago," Ripley said.
"Were you arrested?" Ripley was silent long enough to signal assent. "How long ago?" Kathleen asked.
"I was 17."
"What was the charge?"
"Does it matter?"
"It couldn't have been any big deal," Kathleen said. "What was it…shoplifting?"
"Give me something first."
"I already gave you something."
Ripley laughed. "That's different," he said. "Give me some dirt."
Kathleen released an exaggerated sigh. "OK, I slept with one of my professors in college," she said.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Which class?"
"Zoology."
Ripley smiled. "Did he give you an A?" he asked.
"Jesus, Jack."
"Well?"
"Yes. But I earned it."
"Of course."
"So tell me the charge."
"Promise you won't tell anyone, ever," Ripley said seriously.
"Did you kill someone?" Kathleen asked, only partly kidding.
"Promise."
"I promise."
He shifted slightly to rest more closely against her. "Possession," he whispered. "But it never even went to arraignment," he continued in a more normal tone. "The charges were dropped…misinterpretation of the situation."
She could see the truth in his eyes; he wasn't hiding it. "Possession of…"
"Two joints of pot."
Kathleen laughed. "That's pretty bad," she said. "Did you…"
"No, I didn't inhale."
"Me neither."
Ripley smiled. "Looks like we both have sordid pasts, counselor," he said.
"I guess we'll just have to watch one another closely," Kathleen said. And she pressed her lips firmly to his…which yielded easily to the pressure. Kathleen spent the afternoon in Ripley's big bed, kissing, touching, talking – loving him, and receiving love in a way she hadn't known in a long time…maybe ever. She had never looked in Dan's eyes and seen what she saw in Ripley's. And what she saw in Ripley's was something she wanted to hold onto forever.