“Go change into something more appropriate. We have an appointment,” Dad said with a soft smile after hanging up.
I sprang to my feet. “I thought as much. Just give me a few minutes,” I replied with a smile, feeling a surge of determination. This was the first step in reclaiming some semblance of normalcy.
“Be careful with your leg,” he cautioned.
I didn’t need a cane anymore since I could walk better now, but Dad always worried I’d aggravate my injury if I put too much pressure on it. It was a constant reminder of how close I had come to losing everything, of how fragile life could be.
“I always am,” I assured him, although a small part of me wanted to push myself harder, to prove I was back to my old self. But rushing things had never done me any good. Not with my leg, and certainly not with Chloe.
Frazier and Associates was located near one of Dad's hotels in an elite part of the city. The glass building had ten floors, each dedicated to different legal specialties. Attorney Frazier and his team had managed our family's legal affairs for as long as I could remember. They always claimed to hire the best lawyers, a claim backed up by their nearly flawless court record.
We took the elevator to the top floor. The brightly lit space was buzzing with activity. Everyone seemed busy, either working intently or hurrying somewhere. One thing was consistent: they were all dressed sharply in pristine white shirts and tailored suits, exuding professionalism and confidence.
It was a place where power was palpable, and every detail was meticulously designed to convey authority and competence.
A courteous, svelte young woman greeted us as we approached her desk. She looked to be in her late twenties, and herpeppiness matched her appearance. Her blonde hair was styled neatly into a bun, and her blue eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. How may I assist you?” she asked, her smile warm yet confident. Her name tag read "Clarissa," and I could tell from her demeanor that she was new but eager to make a good impression.
“We're here to see Attorney Frazier. He’s expecting us,” Dad replied, glancing at an inscription engraved on the wall behind her desk. "Excellence in Legal Representation."
“Please give me a moment to confirm your appointment,” she said, dialing Frazier’s office. After a brief conversation, she looked up. “He’s ready to see you now.”
“Thank you,” we said in unison and proceeded to Frazier’s office.
“What a pleasant surprise!” Frazier exclaimed, standing to greet Dad, who was already smiling broadly at the sight of his old friend. Frazier was a tall man in his sixties with a full head of silver hair and a commanding presence.
His office was filled with dark mahogany furniture and floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined with leather-bound law books. There were awards and plaques on the walls, a testament to his successful career.
I never really understood the dynamic of their friendship, but that wasn’t why we were here today. I could always ask Dad about it later if I wanted to know more.
“Good afternoon, Attorney Frazier,” I said, eager to get straight to the point. The sooner we started, the sooner I could get a sense of how this was going to unfold.
“Hello, Kevin… Please, have a seat, both of you.” He gestured to the leather chairs in front of his desk.
I didn’t waste any time sitting down. Dad could reminisce all he wanted after we dealt with the matter at hand. My heart was racing, but I tried to keep my composure.
Frazier put his glasses back on, adjusting the cord slightly to keep them in place. “So what can I do for you?” he asked, looking directly at Dad.
“Yes. My son has a matter he’d like you to handle,” Dad replied.
“I’d be honored. So, Kevin, what’s the issue?” Frazier's tone shifted to professional, his eyes sharp and focused.
I explained the situation: my initial ignorance about Chloe's pregnancy and her terms for raising Noah, careful not to give away unnecessary details.
Frazier took notes without interrupting, occasionally glancing at his notepad to ensure everything was accurate. I could tell he was calculating, weighing each word, each possibility.
“There isn’t any problem here,” he said after I finished.
“So, how soon can we expect things to kick off?” I asked innocently, but both Dad and Frazier burst into laughter as if I’d just said something ridiculous.
“It’s already begun, Kevin,” Dad said after they’d stopped laughing.
“Oh…”
“Yes, son. In a few days, we should be looking forward to the first hearing in court. You have nothing to worry about.”
I was impressed. There was no time to waste. I didn’t have any to spare. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. At least now, there was a plan, a clear path forward. For too long, everything had felt so uncertain, like I was floating in limbo.
