Page 2 of Bishop

Finding a park spot, I turned the car off and reached over to grab the black Coach bag. Pulling it into my lap, my fingers moved over the worn leather. It was soft to the touch, with a few scratches here and there. I’d bought the bag after my first big legal win a few years ago.

My cellphone dinged inside the bag, and I pulled it out.

The screen was illuminated with a text message from my mother, whom everyone called Mama Kay.

Emerald, just wanted to wish you good luck today. So happy you’re home. Love you.

I was about to type a message back but decided I'd reach out around lunch. The clock on the screen was already glaring at me. Warning me that I was about to be late. Tucking the phone away, I pulled down the visor of the car and stared at my reflection. My edges were already threatening to pucker up from the humidity of New Orleans.

I still didn’t know how I was going to deal with this heat but after my experience in California, I was going to have to make it happen.

I pulled out some Chapstick and ran it over my lips, I tucked my freshly blown out bob behind my ears and exited the car.

Throwing the strap of the bag over my shoulder, I headed towards the front of the building. Florrick and Heart Law offices were one of the best law firms to work at and I’d had an inside track to getting a position.

My finger pulled on the brass handle and entered the lobby. I was hit in the face with a gust of cold wind.

“Air-conditioning,” I murmured out loud.

Approaching the desk, I mustered up some confidence before speaking to the secretary. He was nice enough and gave me the welcoming packet for the new hires right away.

New hire orientation was sure to start at any moment and I took a seat with a few other people who didn’t even make eye contact, except for one.

She was a tall leggy blonde. “You look familiar.”

The words tumbled out of her mouth.

Looking around, I realized she was talking to me. “Huh?”

“Yeah, you look familiar. I’m sure I know you from somewhere.”

Shaking my head, I fixed my hair again. “I don’t think so.”

She leaned forward, pensively staring as if she were drinking in my features like a Coca-Cola.

“I just moved back,” I shrugged, adjusting the collar of the flowery printed shirt I’d purchased for today.

Jesus,I thought as she began to tap her lip.

“I’m sure I do,” she smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Luckily, I was saved by the bell and a paralegal came to gather us all. She began to give us a tour of the building showing us all the usual spots. It was still early and a lot of people weren’t in the building just yet.

Then I saw him.Will Florrick.Our eyes locked, and he mouthed that he’d come by later. I nodded, smiling brightly, my heart giving a few extra beats and my palms starting to sweat.

We’d metat Duke Law School, where he’d been one year ahead of me. We’d kept in touch over the years and then I’d found out he’d moved here and settled down.

He has a wife,I reminded myself.

“Alright, Emerald,” the paralegal said.

“Emmy,” I offered up.

“Huh?” Confusion clouded her face and I found everyone turning to stare at me.

Taking a deep breath. “I go by, Emmy.”

“Oh…well, this is your office. You’ll find everything on your desk including your first case file.” She pointed to the door that had my first initial and last name on it. The small crowd of first year associates moved on without me but a few steps ahead. Letting my mind wander, and not paying attention, I entered my brand-new office.

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