Heroin and Vodka
Author's note: Hey guys. Sorry for the long wait. As usual, life was a bit busy on my end and I just couldn't find the right time to manage a chapter. But here I am right now and we'll be picking up from right where we left off. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own How to Get Away With Murder. It's plot and characters are the sole property of Pete Nowalk and Shonda Rhimes.
Chapter 40
"You don't look too well, Isaac." the woman, now identified as Jessica, replied softly as she took of her coat and placed it on the chair next to her.
Isaac sighed and took another slow sip of his coffee before placing the cup on the table. He looked up at Jessica, meeting her eyes for the first time.
"It's been quite a few months, Jessica." Isaac replied, slowly. "Where do I even begin?"
"Well, you've always told me that the beginning is a good place to start from." she replied with a smile.
Isaac chuckled dryly.
"Well, it's good that you're seated as this is going to take a while."
"…and now here we are." Isaac finished, as he took the last sip of his third coffee.
Jessica was silent. Isaac got to his feet and turned around, walking off to the windows which stretched all the way up to the ceiling. He took in a deep breath, before releasing it slowly as he gazed out of the window, looking down upon the multitude of cars which snaked their way across the roads, without a care in the world.
Jessica had entered his life after Stella's death. When he and Jacqueline had decided to call it quits on their marriage, Isaac had been the one to suggest that they should hire a divorce attorney to represent their legal matters. After much debilitation and discussions, Jacqueline had finally consulted a friend on the matter who had subsequently shared Jessica's contact information with her.
Jessica wasn't the typical divorce attorney. Far from it actually. She was one of the big, bad fishes in the ocean that constituted lawyers. She was an excellent corporate attorney and had earlier been the managing partner of her own firm at Manhattan. But she had recently stepped down from the position and taken up practice at Chicago where she was currently serving as the aide to the mayor.
Isaac could vividly recall his first meeting with Jessica. It had been around three months after his daughter's death.
Flashback
"Ah yes, please come in Ms. Pearson." Isaac replied, inviting Jessica into the threshold of his home.
Jessica nodded before stepping in. She deposited her coat on the hanger. Isaac led her into his chamber.
Jessica sat down on the couch as Isaac shut the door.
"You have a cozy place, Dr. Roa." Jessica replied, as she placed her bag on the table. "Now, can we get to business?"
"Yes. Of course." Isaac replied with a nod, "But would you care for some tea? Or coffee perhaps before we begin?"
"Oh. I think I'll just have what you're having." Jessica replied.
Isaac's stared back at her, puzzled at her answer.
"What do you—"
But the woman wasn't done talking. She cut him off immediately.
"Don't play dumb with me." she replied sharply, "I didn't get where I am today if I couldn't call the bullshit that you've been spouting."
Isaac stared back at her, dumbfounded.
"You were smoking a joint, weren't you?" she asked.
His eyes widened. But before he could reply, she continued on.
"Don't bother replying. That was a rhetorical question. I know a stoned person when I see one." she replied with a chuckle. "After all, I grow my own marijuana."
End Flashback
Isaac couldn't help but smile softly at the memory.
It had been an embarrassing experience to say the least. Back then, he had been on the brink of relapse and would often indulge himself occasionally. To numb his pain. Despite being a substance abuse therapist, he had been caught in the act.
Yet, Isaac had been taken aback by her shrewd observation skills. And her keen eye for detail. Isaac also respected her as she had kept the incident to herself and had not divulged it to Jacqueline, even when she would could have and should have done so.
He was broken out of his musings as he heard footsteps approaching behind him. Jessica came up beside him and gazed out of the window too. After a short pause, the silence between the two was broken.
"I'll do it." she replied.
Isaac turned to face her.
"Maybe this was a mistake. Calling you here. Getting you involved. Maybe I could—"
But Jessica cut him off.
"You second guess yourself too much, Isaac. Besides…" she turned to face him. "I spent years doing nothing but fighting to keep my name up on a wall. My life needs to be about more than just that."
Author's note: There you go, guys. Jessica Pearson in the flesh. I tried to be as true to her character as possible.
I know this chapter was short. But it was needed. I needed to establish an organic connection between Isaac and Jessica which had to be done sooner rather than later. But things will start to heat up from the next chapter. I promise.