"Lisa is beautiful. You are both beautiful." I said.
"No sugarcoating. Your babe responded with the signed contract." Sarki Noted "I sent it to you." I digitally sign the file as soon as the notification arrives, without leaving the video call. "All right, enjoy your date now."
"What date... I have meetings with supporters, direct bosses, and representatives of the judiciary every day of the week." I said.
“May the Lord have mercy on your soul.”She joked and I hang up the phone and sit down to open the files and study. The week goes by with my head feeling like it's about to explode at any moment due to the lack of peace.
On the day I am supposed to meet Kelsey, she sends me a message while I am sitting at a restaurant table waiting for a New York prosecutor.
K. Calama:"I want to see you soon." The message flashes and my eyes automatically light up. I look to the side and the man is nowhere to be seen.
Megan Woods:"I think we can talk on the phone, the prosecutor hasn't arrived yet."Less than thirty seconds later, her name flashes on the screen and I answer using my headphones while leafing through the menu.
"I think it's absurd for anyone to keep you waiting. Which restaurant are you at?" she asked.
“At Musket, on Broadway. I've had a juice, but I'm starting to get annoyed.” I said.
"You have every right to be. Who's the jerk?"she inquired.
"Carlton Miller. No one very important." I answered.
"He's a real piece of shit. Keep your cool and you'll have him in the palm of your hand."Kelsey advised.
“You know everyone. What's the fun in that?” I asked.
“You said yourself that I keep secrets. Maybe he'll tell you himself.”Then we can laugh about it together.
“Maybe he'll tell you his secrets himself. Then we can laugh about it later. He expects a 'straight' judge — strong, delicate, responsible. The role you’ve played your whole life.”she teased.
"Wow, I’m offended. You’re calling me an actress?"
"You're in line for the Supreme Court, Megan. You’re on the Oscar list."
Carlton Miller finally approaches. I have to be discreet.
“I understand, my meeting is about to start. We'll talk soon.” She asks if he's arrived. “Yes, of course.”
"See? Oscar-worthy,"she teases."Megan, you look delicious pretending to talk to someone from work. See you later."
I blush but maintain my composure. Carlton apologizes for being forty minutes late. We talk about the city and the snow.
“What do you think of New York? Better than North Carolina, don't you think? Except for the snow... “
"I hate that the snow here looks like those bad apples. It's the same feeling, only on your feet." We laugh as I take a sip of the tea I ordered before he arrived.
"You must have met someone from Calama Offshore," he says. I nod, mentioned a lawyer contacted me. "I heard you’re eyeing the Supreme Court. I’m telling you this off the record: she’s influential. Don't cross her. I was up for Mayor before we had a falling out."
"Did you argue about something serious?"
"She coerced a judge to close an immigrant shelter. It caused a crisis for the permanent visa applications. As a local rep, it fell on me." He sighs. I feign indignation, hiding my distaste for his xenophobia. "Then I found out she went out with my daughter, who is straight, by the way. That was the trigger. She’s been gunning for my career ever since."
"I understand. The immigration issue is a very sensitive subject indeed.
"Even more so here. It seems like everyone pretends to love Latinos when they're about to be deported. It's horrible." My coffee arrives, but instead of drinking it, I decide to end the conversation by telling him I have a meeting. "I'm so sorry I'm late, I didn't know you had an appointment."
"Don't worry, dear, we'll have other opportunities." I wipe the corner of my mouth with a napkin and he tells me I don't have to pay for anything. I insist, and once again he refuses. I smile slightly and, as soon as I turn my back, I roll my eyes in boredom.
Six o'clock in the evening is when the clock beeps for me to start getting ready. I opt for a thick fabric midi dress, tights, a coat, and heels. Ten minutes before meeting her, I'm already ready and in the elevator.
