Yvonne
The morning sun reflecting through the curtains of my room was a sign for me to wake up. I stretched out my legs from underneath the duvets and reached for my flip-flops and gave a big yawn.
I sat on my bed and pondered on the past. I couldn't be more grateful that I left Philadelphia. I remembered how my mom used to care less about me because of her new husband.
Truth be told, he is always very nice and generous, which I find suspicious, but I just wish I had been noticed more by my own mother.
A few seconds after clouding my head with past memories, I shook myself back into reality and stared at the corner of my room.
"Alexa, Play Me Beautiful Day by Jamie Grace," I yelled.
After a little beep, the music came on. I danced my way out of the room and still jolly, I went straight to make breakfast. It was some bread toast, avocado, and fried eggs. When I was done, I washed the dishes and ran to the bathroom.
I had a quick shower and soon I was done dressing. I picked up my tote bag, which contains my daily essentials and laptop. I brewed some coffee before leaving. I got into my car; it was the 2023 Audi R8. I know it's too fancy for a lawyer, but when I saw them, I couldn't take my eyes off them, I knew I had to purchase it.
Soon I arrived at my office. I walked into the building, and it wasn't long after I entered someone called out to me.
"Guess who finally showed up?" Mr Tucker mocked. He clapped his hands and walked towards me.
I was already becoming the center of attention in the hallway. "Good morning, sir."
"You're late Yvonne!" Came his hoarse response.
"I know and I'm sorry… Can I see you for a minute, sir?"
We went into his office, and I handed him over an envelope. He opened it, took a glance at the context, "What makes you think I'll let you leave?" He flung the envelope at me.
"What does that even mean?" I yelled.
Mr. Tucker placed his hands on his head in disappointment. He paced around the corner and went back to sit down on his chair. He picked up my resignation letter and forced it into my hands.
"You are one of the most important persons of Stark Firm, I…We need you here Yvonne," Mr. Tucker began stuttering.
My mind was already made up. I wasn't going to collect back my resignation letter. I pushed his hands back to him and sighed deeply.
"Sir, I appreciate the love you've shown me the past few years, but I need to go to Italy. Working with Tech Vargas has always been my dream,"
He sighed. "What about Mrs. Flinch's case… it's today."
"It's going to be my last case here in New Jersey anyway, so I'll make sure I win."
I headed back to my office, got in, and shut the door. Strolling around the room, I could feel the inordinate flashbacks of memories my office holds. I couldn't control how I felt and suddenly I found myself in a pool of tears.
Knock knock, sounded the door.
I quickly wiped off my tears with the back of my palms. "Come in," I said in haste.
It was Mrs. Flinch and as soon as she walked in, her yellow maxi pleated skirt was the first thing I noticed. It was combined with a vintage blue top.
Now, Mrs. Flinch is a middle-aged woman. Her ex-husband wants sole custody of their children, so she came to me for help.
"We can go through a few possible questions that the judge might ask in court today if that's okay?"
"Sure" She nods in agreement.
I opened my laptop, wore my glasses, and moved over to the couch where she sat. We went through some possible questions I had outlined.
"I received a call from his lawyer and he told me that my husband intends to use my anxiety disorder as a tool to win the case," Mrs. Flinch said abruptly.
"When were you diagnosed with an anxiety disorder?" I asked.
"About two years ago" Mrs. Flinch replied.
"I have gone through psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and even took lots of medications and he's just trying to make me look bad. I am better now Yvonne, please do something," She added.
I took off my glasses, placed them on my laptop, and sighed deeply unsure of what to say to her. I held her hands.
"Your fourteen-year-old daughter caught her father in bed with another woman, you were beaten several times even in their presence, he is the cause of your anxiety. There's no way he will get away with this," I replied.
"We have to be in court before twelve-thirty. Are you ready?" I asked, lifting an eyebrow.
She smiled at me and got up from where she sat. "I don't have a choice", she replied.
We headed out of my office. I stopped at Mr. Tucker's office to inform him about my departure.
"Make us proud Yvonne!" He cheered. I waved him goodbye and took off with Mrs. Flinch. We stopped a taxi and he drove us to the courthouse.
We arrived at the court and headed into the courtroom. Mrs. Flinch's family had just arrived too; we walked to them and exchanged some greetings.
"I thought you wouldn't come, mama," Mrs. Flinch said to the lady who was wearing a black georgette gown.
"I can't sit back and watch that bastard destroy my child's life!" The woman responded.
Looking at them, I wondered if my mom loved me. Ever since she got married, I've been fighting for a position in her life. I got into one of the best law schools in New Jersey just to get away from her new family. I still hate the fact that I bear my new dad's surname, but I'll do anything to stay alive. I wish my birth father thought the same way.
The trial went on for about two and a half hours. Judge McCall asked for a witness to be able to make his final verdict. Mr. Flinch had pointed out Mrs. Flinch's anxiety disorder. He further stated that it was unsafe for the children to be in her custody. The witness was Stacie. She was Mr. Flinch's niece who lived with them some years ago. She got into college and moved out. She took the oath.
"Is there any reason why you feel Mr. Flinch shouldn't have sole custody of his children?" Judge McCall asked.
"Yes, Your Honor," Stacie replied.
Judge McCall flapped his hands in the air as a go-ahead sign, he replied, "I'm listening".
"I am very certain that Mrs. Flinch had anxiety disorders because Mr. Flinch is an abuser. I noticed she got better when she kicked him out of the house, your Honor," she answered.
"Thank you for your honesty," the judge told her. He proceeded to give his final verdict. Mr. and Mrs. Flinch got joint custody of their two children. They were also given equal parenting time. I won the case. I couldn't be any happier. I hugged her goodbye and headed home.
After showering, I went to sit on the balcony admiring the view. It's like I could see the whole Newark city from my penthouse. I had with me a glass of wine in my left hand while in my right hand was a book that said "The Power of The Pussy" by Kara King.
Don't get me wrong; I'm a 26-year-old beautiful and wealthy woman who is still hoping to get a good man.
I began to feel the night breeze inside my chest, so I stood up, adjusted my robe, and headed inside. I walked towards the kitchen and dropped off the glass in the sink then headed back to my room.
I lay down on my bed, turned off the bedside lamp, and as soon as I closed my eyes to sleep, my phone rang, it was Cecilia Smith. The woman who abandoned me as soon as she had kids with her new husband.
"Hi mami," I said reluctantly.
"Hi, my beautiful daughter! I miss you every day. Please come home"
"You just interrupted my sleep ma. If you're doing okay, then I'm hanging up"
"Two minutes is all I ask for right now" She begged.
"Fine!" I replied.
She continued,
"Tech Vargas will be hosting a conference about 'Wealth in Tech' here in Philadelphia. My husband made a reservation for only two people, and I want you to join him." I wasn't sure of what response to give.
"Is that okay?" She added.
"When?" I asked.
"On the 26th of this month," she replied. "Don't keep my hopes up if you don't want to join us, baby girl," She continued.
"Good night ma. I'm tired and I'll think about it"
I ended the call and dropped my phone back on the bedside table.
My relationship with my mother is like hanging on a cliff. She got married to a white man, claiming he makes her happy. She forgot about my dad so quickly and I can't just be happy for her. I didn't want to ruin her happiness, so I came to New Jersey to start my own life.
Her calling me tonight was because she knew that I wouldn't listen to her if it wasn't anything involving my dad. Well, I didn't expect my enemies to be coming to America. I was super excited. I jumped out of my bed and started kicking the air. As I was pondering on how I was going to deal with them, my phone chimed and it was a text message.