Objection Overruled by O'Hanlon J.K

Author:O'Hanlon, J.K. [O'Hanlon, J.K.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Suspense, Contemporary
Publisher: Loose Id LLC
Published: 2013-07-28T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Damp grass underfoot, Jackie followed Marilyn through the garden. Marilyn named flowers and bushes. Jackie was not the botanical type. The variety of geraniums boggled Jackie’s mind, still fuzzy from the injury. After two trips around the perimeter, their steps left a discernible path in the dewy grass. The time for stalling had ended.

“Can I be honest with you? And you won’t judge me?”

“I promise.” Marilyn’s blue eyes conveyed calmness.

“I’ll tell you about Brandon, but there’s more. It’s complicated.”

Jackie talked Marilyn through her decision to leave Fenton & Stone and her struggles over the past year as a solo litigator trying to find her own voice while being the voice for others who had been injured or aggrieved.

The picture of the handsome man in uniform came back to Jackie. Marilyn would understand. Holding nothing back, Jackie recalled the night with Brandon.

Although never the doyenne of the social scene, she’d experienced her fair share of casual physical relationships and a few one-night stands. Unlike her other experiences, sex with Brandon wasn’t just good or fun. It fueled her passions like gasoline on an open flame. Her inhibitions fell away like the skin shed from a snake. Somehow, she knew deep inside he not only accepted her but also affirmed her.

That night with him was more than a one-act play. They’d explored each other’s bodies, souls, and minds. When had she ever admitted to anyone her affinity for hotel-lounge happy hours? How she pretended to be someone other than her every day self? And what about confessing that her fear of bankruptcy dominated her life?

Since that first night with him, Jackie tried to convince herself that she’d imagined the connection with Brandon. Saying it out loud now made it real, though. Her heart longed for him. She knew enough of him to want more. Yet the thought of completely knowing him and being known by him terrified her. Would he pull her emotions to and fro like a yo-yo? Like her mother had?

She’d arranged her life to always be in control. She controlled witnesses and exhibits and arguments in the courtroom. She realized she’d lost control.

With Brandon.

With Marilyn.

She looked at Marilyn with wide eyes and an open heart racing with excitement.

Marilyn frowned, her lipstick bleeding into the little lines around her mouth. “And now you have to tear him down on the witness stand. This is complicated.” Marilyn paused and stood still.

Now that she’d opened herself up, she wanted the help to flow more quickly. Jackie cleared her throat, then nudged Marilyn. “So…”

“Hush. I’m thinking. Let’s go to the herb garden.” Marilyn led Jackie by the elbow to the circular garden of fragrant plants to an iron bench. “I like to think here. The scents clear my mind of clutter.”

Marilyn sat still as Buddha with her eyes closed and face turned up toward the sun.

Jackie counted the stalks on the basil plant in front of her. There would be a lot of pesto from that plant. She waved her hand in front of Marilyn’s face.

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