HOBO Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A little over a year later, I was living a much different life. Of course, I had moved into a new home which was amazing. But due to the fact that Michelle was not there it seemed empty and pretentious. I was just going through the motions day by day simply putting one foot in front of the other. As I navigated my building on a daily basis either people would look away from me or give me the pity look as I called it. I tried my best to ignore it but I wanted to say something so many times but always managed to refrain.

The firm hired several new employees about that time and one joined my department. She was a corporate attorney who had left the firm of Johnson, Johnson and Mire because of harassment. I didn’t know the complete story but I’m sure over time it would come out. Kate Jackson was assigned to our floor to give us a resource when we had a legal issue.

I had to admit, I did a double take the first time I saw Kate Jackson walk out of the elevator. Kate was tall, close to six foot perhaps and very well dressed. She had on a business suit and a silk blouse with honey blonde hair. She walked right up to me with all of the confidence in the world.

“Good morning, I’m Kate Jackson. You must be Tim Williams.”, she said, shaking my hand.

“Yes, I am. Welcome to Butler, Land and Reyes.”, I replied.

“Thank you, I’m happy to be here.”, she smiled.

“Well, follow me to your new office.’, I suggested.

Kate’s new office was next to mine and both of our office were joined with Brooke’s. For the time being Brook would look after the both of us until someone else would be assigned to Kate if need be. I told Kate whenever she got settled in to meet me in my office and we could get acquainted. I went back to my office and started for the day.

About ten minutes later, Brooke informed me on the intercom that Robin Woods was in her office looking to see me. I told Brooke to let Robin in even though lately our relationship was very strained to say the least. Looking at Robin instantly reminded me of Michelle when as it was I only thought about several hundred times a day, I didn’t need another reminder.

“Hey Tim, how are you ?’, Robin asked, walking into the office.

“Ok, Robin and you ?”, I replied.

“Doing ok, I guess.”, she sighed.

As usual Robin was stunning dressed in s short white thin strapped dress with white heels on. She took the chair across from my desk and crossed her legs placing her hand in her lap.

“I’m not sure where you’re really at right now but I have wanted to talk to you for quite a while now.”, she said.

“About what ?”, I answered.

“How do you feel about us seeing each other again ?”, she asked nervously.

“Oh geez….. I don’t know Robin. Honestly, I don’t think I am close to being ready to get into another relationship right now.”, I stated.

My intercom went off and Brooke stated that Kate Landry was in my outer office waiting to see me. I told Brooke to give us a minute and I would be right with Kate.

“Oh, I’m sorry…. I didn’t know you have a meeting scheduled.”, Robin said.

“It’s ok, we hired a new attorney from Johnson, Johnson and Mire. She started today and we just need to get acquainted.”, I answered.

“Tim, look…. Just think about what I said. It can be casual as you want it to be but I miss you. I know I fucked up and I regret it everyday of my life. I’m just hoping you can see past what happened between us. This has nothing to do with Michelle just so you know.”, she proposed.

“Let me give this some thought, Robin.’, I asked.

“Fair enough.”, she replied, getting up and walking out.

Brooke showed Kate Jackson in immediately and rolled her eyes at me for the conversation that obviously both her and Kate had just heard in the outer office. Kate came around and sat down in the chair facing me.

“I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”, Kate said nervously.

“No, not at all.”, I replied.

I saw Kate glanced over to the frame wedding photo on my credenza then look back at me with a confused look on her face.

“So, where do we start ?”, I asked.

“Tell me a little about working here and your story I guess.”, she said with a nervous smile.

“I’m not sure how things were at Johnson, Johnson and Mire but I am sure they were similar. They place is a gossip mill and everyone wants to know everyone’s business. I don’t get involved in that myself but trust me they will try to pull you in it. The people you will work with on this floor are incredible. I have the best staff of any department in this building and Richard Butler will confirm that.”, I began.

“As I sure you know, I am a managing partner, have been for several years. I do work long hours but I have always done that. If anyone in this building treats you badly please let me know, I will handle it. When you want a vacation just give me a month or so notice, it won’t be a problem.”, I ended.

“Sounds good.”, she replied.

“As far as I’m concerned you can ask me anything, but I am as simple as it’s gets.”, I replied.

“Your wife is beautiful…. That a great photo over there.”, she said.

“Thank you….she was the most beautiful woman in the world both inside and out.”, I replied.

“How long have you two been married.”, she asked.

“Michelle was killed in a car accident a little over a year ago. Some drunk driver….no need for it really but it happened.”, I answered.

“Oh Tim, I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”, she gasped.

“It’s ok Kate, I know you didn’t.”, I replied.

“So what do you want me to start on ?”, she asked.

“Well, get yourself settled and I’ll get with Terri and Bella and see what they need.”, I offered.

Within a few months Kate Jackson had settled in and was becoming a valuable member of our team. She was well versed in corporate law and had already consulted on quite a few cases for me. As for me, I was still going through the motions spending long days at work then going to the gym at night. By the time I got home at night, I would eat, shower and fall into bed. The weekends were the hardest there was way too much time to kill.

I was working a little late on a Friday night when Kate stepped into my office. It was not usual for Kate to work late, she did it most of the time.

“Tim, going to be here for a while ?”, she asked.

“No, I’m just about done.”, I answered.

“How about I take you out to dinner ?”, she asked.

“Oh… well, I guess so.”, I replied.

Honestly going out to dinner with Kate would be a lot better than going home and eating alone. I had somewhat got used to my solitary lifestyle but it was tough at times. Trying to find different things to get me busy was challenging at times. Several times I even wondered if life was worth living at all. I tried to stay out of that mindset but it was hard.

“Where would you like to go ?”, she asked.

“I know the perfect place.”, I replied, getting up.

Kate followed me to Mon Amor and we both parked in the lot next to each other. She followed me in and Theresa was the hostess for the night. She was a pretty girl with a dark skinned complexion who was a people person.

“Tim, it’s so good to see you. Everyone is asking about you.”, she stated, hugging me gently.

“Good to see you, Theresa. Is Ashley working tonight ?”, I asked.

“Yes, she is…… I’ll put you at one of her tables.”, Theresa said.

We followed Theresa to the back portion of the restaurant when the two of us sat down. Theresa handed us the menu and told us Ashley would be with us soon. Sure enough in just a few minutes Ashely walked over to our table.

“Hey sweetheart, it’s so good to see you.”, she stated, leaning over kissing my cheek.

“Good to see you to Ash. This is Kate Jackson, she works with me at the firm.”, I stated.

“Nice to meet you Kate. Sweet tea all around ?”, she asked.

“That would be fine.”, Kate replied.

Ashley walked off to go get the drinks while Kate was looking over the menu. She did have an odd look on her face.

“You must come here a lot Tim.”, Kate laughed.

“You could say that. My wife and I started this restaurant a few years ago. This was her dream.”, I replied.

“Oh, wow…..”, was her reply.

We both ordered and while we were waiting Kate Jackson started telling me her life story to this date. She was an only child of middle-class parents who always did well in school. Kate’s father wanted her to pursue medical school , but Kate didn’t want the burden of medical school tuition bills for years after she graduated. So instead she went to college and got her law degree. She was still in debt but claimed that hopefully in five years she would have it paid off.