How Long is Forever
Prologue
He promised her forever, but forever only lasted until today. No matter how he tried, he couldn't make himself believe this was happening. Perry Mason, L.A.'s most prominent criminal attorney, stood silently in the doorway between his private office and that of his confidential secretary, Della Street.
The lady in question was presently clearing out her desk. He watched as she put personal items in a cardboard box that was sitting on top of her desk. Like everything else she did, it was methodical, one drawer at a time. And for each item she secured in the box, another piece of Perry's heart tore away. A cork he knew came from their first shared bottle of champagne. Several tickets that came from the Bar Association dinners. Other mementos he had teased her about, but he secretly smiled she had thought enough to keep them.
Reaching the last drawer, she pulled out a small notebook, not her normal stenographer's pad, but what appeared to be a journal. Perry noticed that the tip of a pressed rose extended from the pages. She quickly put the book in with the other items and stood, carefully placing the lid on the box. Looking at Perry, she tried a smile, one that didn't quite reach her beautiful hazel eyes.
"Doesn't seem like much for three years, does it?"
Perry merely shook his head, knowing his voice would break if he spoke. Della was quitting, leaving her job, his office…his life. A life they had begun to share together only a year ago.
He suddenly realized she was still talking, but he really hadn't heard. "…and if Miss Adams has any questions, I'll still be available for a week. Although with all the instructions I've left, I think she'll be fine."
Now Perry nodded, unable to formulate words, his throat dry, his chest tight. This was not a dream; it was his worst nightmare. For two weeks he had dreaded this day, hoping that something, anything, would change Della's mind.
She had sat him down, made him promise not to try and change her mind—no persuasive arguments fit into her scheme—when she confided her decision to leave the practice. She had explained the decision was not made lightly and had been an extremely difficult one. And then she had begged him not to make it any more so. He had learned a valuable lesson from her that night: never promise anything before you hear the details. As it was, his only question had been to ask if there was anything he could do. With tears in her eyes, she had answered no.
So, for those two weeks they had worked in uneasy silence, only speaking when necessary. Thankfully, no cases had arisen, and Della had been able to clear up paperwork and hire a new secretary. Claire Adams was attractive, efficient and an excellent fit, at least as far as Della was concerned. And most importantly, happily married.
Perry, on the other hand, could have cared less. He had only spoken to her twice. It wouldn't have mattered to him if she had won the award for Secretary of the Year. She wasn't Della.
"Perry?" Della was staring at him, sadness in her eyes, "Did you hear me?"
Again, Perry could only nod. Della stared for a moment longer, then retrieved her coat and purse. Perry moved at last, picking up the box from the desk. He walked to the door, holding it open for her to precede him. Side by side, they walked down the hallway to the elevator. Della pressed the button to call the car, not looking at Perry.
When the elevator doors opened, Della stepped in, turning to take the box from Perry. He held on for just a moment, looking into her eyes, trying to convey all the emotions he was feeling. When he would have spoken, Della shook her head.
"Goodbye Perry."
She stepped back, the doors slid shut and Perry dropped his head to his hands, feeling his whole world crumble around him.
