Just Be True To Me

“You will do no such thing. If there’s one thing you should know about me by now, it’s that I don’t lose.” She raised his chin so she could look into his eyes. “We’ll figure this out. Well, I’ll figure it out, but you know what I’m saying.”

His smile spread as he pulled her closer. “How did I get so lucky to find you?”

“You didn’t. I found you, love.” She pecked his lips before retrieving a notepad and pen from her bag. She then took a swig from the coffee, spurting as the cold liquid eased down her throat. “Order more coffee. It’s gonna be a long day.”

***

“What are you thinking about,” Clifford asked.

“The case. I’m kind of sad that it’s about to be over. It was fun.” She reflected on all the happenings and how the case had come to represent a turning point in her life. Things were on the upswing.

“At least you get to keep me.”

“Don’t know if that’s a good thing, but you’re right.”

“It’s definitely a good thing.” Clifford rolled over to face her. “Like I told you before, I’m going to make you happy. And the one thing you know for sure about me is that I’m a man of my word.”

“This is true.” She stretched herself out. “I am so gonna miss this bed.”

“I’ll buy you another one.”

“You do know I never cared about your money right,” she asked.

“I’ll just give it all away. Then I could be a stay-at-home dad and you can be the bread winner. That’s what all you modern women want these days, right?”

“I didn’t say that. Besides, you have enough money that we could both be stay-at-home parents.”

He propped himself up on one of his elbows, using his index fingers to move a curl behind her ear. “We can have whatever kind of life you want. We can be here, on an island, or living in a box. I don’t care as long as I’m with you.”

Mia’s face screwed. “I’m not going to pretend like I’d be happy living in a box, but I appreciate the gesture.”

He nuzzled his face in her neck before pulling her on top of him. “You always have to be so difficult.”

“I wouldn’t be me if I wasn’t.”

“And I wouldn’t love you nearly as much.”

“I love you too old man.”

“I’ll show you how old I am.” He rolled on top of her, their laughter filling the room.

***

The press mob was waiting for them when they arrived. Clifford walked with an air of confidence as he went to open her door. Mia breathed in the fresh air as she stepped out of the car. Their love shielded them from the onslaught of questions that the reporters threw at them. The camera flashes that blinded them formed a spotlight that they were more than prepared to withstand. They only saw each other as they slid their fingers between one another.

“You two look stronger than ever,” a reporter said. “Would you say that the trial brought you closer together?”

Mia said, “Most definitely. It’s kind of like renovating a house. You want to kill each other while you’re going through it, but you appreciate each other more than ever when it’s over.”

“Clifford, do you agree?”

“You heard the lady.” He took the lead, the crowd parting as they made their way up the courthouse steps.

The gallery was clamoring with anticipation. The atmosphere was thick with a mixture of tension and excitement. Even Rosario was swept into it, repeatedly asking the bailiff when the judge was due to show. Mia and Clifford remained quiet, only speaking to remind each other how much they loved one another.

After 20 minutes, the bailiff said, “All rise.”

The courtroom grew deathly quiet as the judge marched in. “You may be seated. Ms. Rosario, if you’re ready, you may call your witness.”

She took a moment to collect her thoughts. As she went to set her glass down after taking a drink, her confidence returned to its normal level upon seeing the name. “You Honor, I’d like to call Janet Knight.” Hoping Mia would flinch, she was disappointed upon seeing her arrogant grin.

As did the rest of the people in the room, Mia looked toward the doors. Catching Tamara’s eyes, she winked.

Janet held her head high as she made her way to the stand. She ignored the whispering, concentrating on Clifford’s face after she was sworn in.

Rosario said, “Ms. Knight, would you please state your relationship to the defendant.”

“I’m his mother.”

“Your husband was Martin Knight, also known as Marty Knight.”

“Correct.”

“Would you please describe your relationship with your husband,” Rosario said.

“Former husband.”

“Excuse me. Please describe your relationship with your former husband, whom your son, the defendant, Clifford Knight, murdered.”

Everyone looked to Mia, expecting her to object. Just as she had done before, she accepted the attention. She had nothing to fear because she was prepared. She and Clifford had spent the late hours of the previous night having a tell-all. On their handshakes and words, they were completely open and honest with one another. This trust fueled her, igniting the fire that she began the case with.

She rolled her tongue around the top of her mouth, expecting to taste blood. With none present, she didn’t mind settling for Rosario’s. This was her moment to not only put any doubts about her competency as attorney to rest, but also prove that she was the best of the best. This was her opportunity to knock her opponent down a few rungs and vault herself into the atmosphere shared by the greatest attorneys of all time.

“I’m his mother. I raised him and loved him.”

“How well could you raise and love him while you were on drugs. From all the addicts I’ve come across, their desire for drugs usually overtake the desire to take care of their family,” Rosario said.

“No one knows what its like to be addicted to something unless they were themselves an addict.”

Mia said, “I love her already.”

“I told you,” Clifford chuckled.