Page 3 of Feeling Blue

“Hurry up! Y’all make me sick!” Forever hollered back just as she heard the door to their bedroom close.

A giggle escaped her as she shook her head at the pair. Since she already knew the routine, instead of rushing, she removed her iPad and law books from her bag and reviewed the notes she’d made for court. It was the biggest day and case she’d ever worked on, and she was so nervous that she could barely sit still. The only thing that was keeping her from floating out of her chair right then was the fact that she knew she was ready.

Not only had she been studying the case, the inmate, and the previous trial recordings, but she’d been consulting and working hand in hand with one of the best appeal lawyers in the country. Hope had been on her harder than she’d been on herself, which was saying a lot, because she nailed herself to the cross anytime her current case came to mind.

Winning would mean everything to her for more than one reason. The first one being because she was a fresh lawyer, early in the law game, and winning would be such a catalyst in her career. The second reason was that this was her baby she was grinding for. Zurich Rose. Her Blue-Blue. She needed him as he needed her, and the only way they’d be able to make good on all the promises they’d made to one another was to win his appeal.

“You got this,” she whispered to herself. “God, please let me have it.”

As if knowing what she needed to get her mind right, her phone rang, startling her from her prayer. When Forever retrieved it from her bag and saw Calvary’s number, she answered in a hurry. He was her other little brother-in-law who worked at the prison where Blue was being housed and had been the middleman for her and Blue, their entire incarcerated love affair.

“Hey Cal, everything okay?”

“It will be when I see you,” Blue’s deep voice and slight Haitian accent had her eyes fluttering closed again. “How you feeling this morning, Beautiful?”

“Better now,” she whispered. “So much better. You?”

“Scared as shit,” he chuckled, “But I know you got me, so I’m chilling.”

Forever giggled at the apprehension in his voice. Even with him doing his best to sound as calm as he always did, she could still hear the tinge of uncertainty in his tone.

“You sure about that?”

“Hell nah.”

They chuckled together heartily until the line went quiet on both ends. Lost in their thoughts, their connection stayed silent for a little longer until Blue drew them back in.

“Thanks for the suit, it’s fly as shit, and my favorite color.”

“It matches mine.”

“I can’t wait to see you. I bet you’re looking pretty as hell, ain’t you?”

Forever looked down at the blue skirt suit she’d had fitted just for her. The light blue shirt exposed enough cleavage to display her femininity, but not enough to be unprofessional. The same color as the tailored suit she’d gotten for Blue, only his had a white shirt and a tie the color of her shirt. She hadn’t been feeling dressing alike, but he’d stressed it over and over, claiming it would bring him comfort knowing she was his, so she obliged.

“I look alright.”

“Nothing about you is just alright. Stop saying silly shit.”

Silence encompassed them once more. “Baby, I’m scared,” his voice was lower that time, in efforts to conceal how vulnerable he was.

Her heart ached for him. She could only imagine the position he was in. To go from having your life taken away from you to gaining hope that you could have it back, only to not get it, was enough to stress anyone. She was more anxious than she’d ever been, and she was only the lawyer. She couldn’t imagine being in his shoes.

“Don’t be. I got you,” Forever made sure her voice held strong as she did her best to comfort him.

“And I got you. On gang nem, you gon’ forever be straight. No matter how this shit goes today. Just the fact that you gave it all you’ve got for a nigga you don’t even know is enough for me.”

“Ease your mind, Blue-Blue, and think about how much fun we’re going to have in Cali tomorrow.”

“Aight, aight, bet.” She could hear the smile in his voice, which brought one to her face in return. “I guess I’ll see you in a minute, lil’ bitty woman. We just pulled up to the courthouse.”

“See you in a few, handsome.” Forever was about to hang up until she heard Calvary calling her name. “Cal!” she squealed.

“What’s going on girl, you ready?”

“I think so.”

“Nah, you know so. You the man, Rabbit. Don’t forget that.”

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