Kelly stared at the money.
"Six hundred thousand dollars," said the lawyer while seating at the opposite side of the table. "Just like I said." He smiled, crossed his legs and made himself comfortable on the wooden chair.
Kelly tried to say something, but only a weak squeak came out. "That's.." she started, and then cleared her voice. "That's a lot of money." Her voice was still a whisper.
"Another six hundred thousand in two weeks. That's more than one million dollars Ms. Barnett."
"I could get cleaned up with all this money."
"You could do more than that. You could start a new life, away from here. Or go on a vacation, even buy a new car."
"A new car," she repeated.
"Anything you want."
She stretched a hand toward the money, without touching it, and looked at him. "And for this money, you want.."
The lawyer took a thick stack of papers from his briefcase and put it on the table. He split the stack in two separate paper and gave her a toothy grin. "Like I said on the telephone, all you have to do is sign this settlement and this waiver." Then he produced a gold plated ballpoint pen from his breast pocket and held it toward Kelly.
"And then I get the money?"
"And then you get the money. Exactly simple as that."
"But if I don't sign.."
The man's smile faded and stared right into her eyes. Kelly looked down. "If you don't sign, Ms. Barnett, I will take these six hundred thousand dollars away, and you will never see a dime from Mr. Villa."
"But he abused my son."
"Allegedly. It's just your son's word against Mr. Villa's." He stuck a finger in the air. "If you push this and it makes it to court, a very unlikely case mind you, there is no way to predict how it will turn." He then took the pen between his index and thumb fingers of each hand, like it was going to snap it in two if she made more trouble, and smiled again. "Even if it makes it to court, even with the best lawyers. The best and most expensive lawyers." His smile broadened. "Do you have a good lawyer, Ms. Barnett?"
Kelly stared at her feet.
"Ms. Barnett," he said with a softer voice. "This is a very generous offer. Drop the charges, issue a statement retracting those baseless claims, pocket the money, and put all this behind you and your child."
"My boy wouldn't lie to me." Kelly kept her hands steady on the table, but she was staring down and shuffling her feet. Her voice was faint and grave. "He wakes up at night, crying. He won't eat much and doesn't want to go to school."
The lawyer sighed, pushed the papers toward Kelly, and put the pen in front of her. "With this money you will be able to get him away from this place, to take good care of him. You will be able to get him the treatment he needs."
Kelly looked at the pyramid of banknotes and the table, then at the papers. "But it's not fair," she said. "Villa, your boss, is gonna get away with it."
"Ms. Barnett. Kelly. Mr. Villa hasn't done anything wrong, you and I know it. There is nothing to get away with."
Kelly looked at him. "A lab, like those you see on TV. They could find the signs, prove that my boys isn't making this up."
The lawyer shook his head. "There aren't any signs," he said. "Just allegations. Words. Lies."
He leaned forward, put the pen in her hand, then held her hand like a good friend. "Make the smart choice. Sign the papers, Kelly. Take the money. Trust me, you don't want to go against Mr. Villa."
She clasped her hand on the pen, considered it for a few seconds, then gave a hard stare at the lawyer.
"I believe my baby. A jury would believe my baby if they'd listen to him."
"Kelly, seriously.."
"I want justice for my boy. The jury would see he's saying the truth!"
The lawyer let go of Kelly's hand and sat back, his lips thin as razors. "What jury? There isn't a case here. There aren't hidden clues, just the words of a child. There is not a jury in the country who would believe the delinquent son of a crack addict over one of the city's most influential businessman, a man who has brought honor and jobs to this city."
Her face flushed red. "My Jeremy ain't no delinquent!"
"He has a felony conviction, Ms. Barnett, and he's only twelve."
"How do you know? The record is sealed!"
"I know. Everybody knows. Mr. Villa has many friends."
"Yeah, I heard that he's in bed with the mob," said Kelly with a louder voice. "He's the real delinquent!" She slammed her fist holding the pen on the table. "Not like my boy. Why should he get a pass, when my baby got nothing from no one?" Tears started rolling down her cheeks. "Why should he get a pass from me? He hurt my baby, he abused him! He thinks he can buy my silence?"
The lawyer huffed, took one of the stacks of cash from the pile on the table and thumbed through it. "You know," he spoke slowly. "You could buy a lot of stuff with this money. A new house, clothes, cars." He looked at her. "A lot of crack too."
Kelly swallowed hard and looked at the money.
"Angel dust too. Have you ever tried cocaine? It's a rich man's drug, only rich people can try that."
She shot straight up from her chair. "Get out of here!" she yelled. "Get your filthy money away from me!"
"Ms. Barnett, you are making a big mistake," said calmly the lawyer. "This is a one time offer."
"Get your filthy money and get the fuck out of my house!"
"Mr. Villa is not going to be pleased, Ms. Barnett."
"I said get your filthy money and get the fuck out of my house NOW!"
The lawyer stood up, gathered the paperwork and the money deliberately and without saying a word. Then he headed toward the door with Kelly behind him.
"You think you can buy me?" She yelled at his back. "Get the fuck out of here! I have my dignity!"
The lawyer opened the door, took two steps outside and turned. "Last chance, Ms. Barnett. I strongly suggest you take this offer and reconsider your actions against Mr. Villa."
"Fuck him and fuck you too!" She made an obscene gesture with her hand. "You tell Mr. Villa that I will see his mobster ass in court!" And with that she slammed the door closed.
- o -
The streetlight's glow filtered through the dusty windows in the living room. There were no shades or blinds, the lights were off, and the darkness inside made everything look crystallized in place.
"Mom," called softly Jeremy.
Kelly was lieing relaxed on the worn sofa. "Yes baby?" She said without turning.
The noise of slow, heavy steps accompanied Jeremy. "Mom?" he called again. There was pain in his voice.
Her voice was mellow, distant. "You're home early, baby? Or you haven't left yet?"
A stingy haze hung in the air, its tendris propagating from Kelly into the dark.
Jeremy started crying. "Mom? Please?"
Kelly put the glass pipe down, propped herself up, and turned toward Jeremy. "What's up, baby? Again nightmares?" Her eyes fluttered over his figure, unable to focus.
"I'm sorry mom," said Jeremy sobbing, and Kelly noticed the tall dark figure in a thick overcoat standing behind him.
"Who are you? What.. How did you get in here??" Kelly tried to get up, but her knees wouldn't support her. "What do you want??" She asked while slipping back on the sofa.
The figure put a hand in his overcoat. "You should have taken the money, Mr. Barnett," said the intruder, and drew.
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