She expected him to smile at that, maybe make some smart-ass geek boy response, but he just stared at her. After a second or so she started to feel uncomfortable.
Finally, he smiled, but it didn’t light his eyes. “I don’t think that’s true, El. In fact, I think you hardly know me.” With that, he walked away, went back to his desk, and sat down. Putting on his headset, he pulled a sketch pad out and began drawing.
Ellie rolled her eyes.
Peanut didn’t smile.
“He’s going all Napoleon Dynamite again,” Ellie said, irritated.
“There’s a rumor going ’round town,” Pea said. “I heard it this A.M. myself. From Rosie at the diner who heard it from Ed at The Pour House.”
“I’m guessing it’s about me.”
“It seems a certain female police chief was seen kissing a certain famous out-of-towner last night. Right in the parking lot in front of everyone. Oh, and did I mention his track record with women?” She made a tsking sound. “Not good.”
Ellie winced. “Actually, he kissed me.”
“Well, that makes a world of difference.” Peanut sighed and shook her head. It was exactly how she responded when one of her kids was making her crazy. “Ellie, you’re a fool. There, I finally said it. I’ve been waiting for you to wake up and see what’s in your own backyard—we both have—but clearly that isn’t going to happen. A good-looking felon comes to town and you’re all over him like gray on Seattle. In fact, I hear wedding bells now. Who cares that he’s going to take Alice away from Julia and break all our hearts? What matters is he’s got a great smile and a big dick and he knows how to use them both.”
“In the first place, it was a kiss, not a blow job. In the second—”
Peanut walked away from her.
Ellie ran after her. “Come back here, damn it. You can’t say something like that to me and just walk away.” She grabbed Peanut’s arm and spun her around. There were reporters clustered around them, but Ellie didn’t care. “I didn’t go for him, Peanut.”
“From what I heard—”
“Did you hear me, damn it? I didn’t go for him. Zero. Zip. Nada. He did kiss me—and I could have turned it into something, but I didn’t. He’s going to take Alice from us, for God’s sake. How can you think I’d sleep with him?”
Peanut frowned. “Really? You didn’t—”
“Kept my jeans zipped, as my dad used to say.”
“Why?”
It was Ellie’s turn to frown. “Alice is more important.”
“Nothing used to be more important to you, El, than a good-looking man.”
“Things change.” Ellie thought about that; it made her smile. Feel free.
“I’m proud of you.” Smiling, Peanut slung an arm around her. Together, they headed back to Peanut’s desk.
“Hey. What did you mean we? You said we both have been waiting for you to see.”
Peanut shrugged. “Someday you should think about the people who love you, El.” She looked down at her watch. “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be in court?”
Ellie glanced at the clock. “Shit. George is already gone.” She ran for the door.
By the time she reached the courthouse, it had started to rain. Cold, icy drops that fell from a sad gray sky. She parked on the street out front and ran up the steps.
At the closed door of the judge’s chambers, Ellie knocked.
“Come in.”
She opened the door to a large, austerely decorated room. Books lined all the walls. A huge desk dominated the center of the room; behind it sat the judge.
Julia stood near the corner beside a huge potted plant. Both attorneys were seated in front of the judge’s desk. George stood all alone on the left side of the room.
“Everyone is here,” the judge said, putting on her glasses. “The circumstances have changed since the last time you came to me.”
“Yes, Your Honor,” said George’s attorney.
The judge looked at Julia. “I know how much you care about Brittany, Dr. Cates. You also know how the system works.”
“Yes.” The word seemed to deplete Julia, leave her smaller. “I know Mr. Azelle is a victim here, as much as Alice is, and I hate to further hurt him, but …” She paused, as if gathering her courage, then looked up at the judge. “His needs must be second to hers.”
The judge frowned. “In what way?”
“She needs more time with me. She loves me … trusts me. I can …” Her voice slipped, caught on desperation. “Save her.”
Ellie went to Julia, stood beside her.
“Will she always be a special needs child?” the judge asked gently.
“I don’t know,” Julia answered. “She’s come so far. She’s extremely bright, though. I believe she can rise above her past, but for many years she’ll need constant care and treatment.”
“There must be special schools for kids like her,” George said.
“There are,” his attorney answered. “And other doctors who could treat her. Your Honor, Mr. Azelle is a victim here. We can’t compound his tragedy by taking his daughter away again.”