Page 42 of From the Courtroom to the Court
"I wanted your phone to sell it and get some money for food and start saving again for a lawyer," the girl says with a broken voice. "What I had was taken from me this morning; I just want to get my brother back."
Leah Walker's heart stops beating. She feels pity, distrust, sadness, but also an impulse to believe in this young, helpless girl.
"Do you promise not to run away if I assure you I won't call the police?" asks Leah, tightening her grip on Mia's wrist and looking at her with her head tilted.
"I promise," says Mia, and although Leah still has doubts, she lets her go.
When the girl gets up from the ground and stays next to the tennis player, Leah smiles at her. Mia wipes away her tears.
"Come on, let's find something to eat and you can tell me what happened to you."
"And that's how Leah and I became friends. Though I consider her a sister," Mia corrects herself.
Emma feels that the life of the girl in front of her is far from her own. She has lived wrapped in cotton while Mia has even had to steal to eat. How unfair life is.
She decides not to comment, feeling it's unnecessary, so the lawyer finishes taking some notes and moves on to the next question.
"I see you're still on supervised release, which requires you to sign in at court each month, but you haven't missed once or committed any new crimes; that speaks in your favor," Emma comments. "Regarding your house, the report you passed me is old. I'll send an inspector to make a new one. It's to certify that it's prepared for Aaron to live there comfortably and safely."
Mia appreciates that Emma hasn't delved into the story she just told; as much as it had a happy ending, remembering that time in her life isn't pleasant.
Both women talk at length. Emma clarifies some important details and Mia asks questions that come up. They agree on everything—surprisingly—there are no reproaches or out-of-place comments.
"Mia, how are you?"
The purr in the voice of the young woman who has stopped in front of the table puts Emma on alert. She frowns for two reasons: because of what she felt and because she wonders if this girl is stupid and doesn't realize she's interrupting a conversation. Mia's lopsided smile makes her sick; now she wonders if the importance of the meeting they're having has gone out the window because of this porcelain-skinned, blonde-haired, full-lipped girl.
"Hi, Cris," Mia says in a seductive tone without getting up from her chair. "All good, I see in your case too."
"What an idiot," Emma whispers in a very low tone, just for herself, though Mia hears her perfectly.
"I'm in the middle of a meeting right now, Cris," the caddie apologizes. "Can we talk later?"
"Sure," the doll-faced girl smiles. "Is tomorrow still on?"
"Of course," Mia confirms and says goodbye to Cris.
The young woman hasn't taken ten steps when Emma spits her venom.
"Next time we'll have to meet at my office, away from your hook-ups who interrupt meetings."
Mia tries—with effort—not to laugh. Emma's jealousy is obvious, jealousy, yes, she can recognize it in that heated look, even if the lawyer herself refuses to see it.
"We haven't even had our first kiss and you're already jealous," Mia doesn't ask, she states it, and that irritates Emma.
The lawyer is ready to put this shameless woman in her place, but Aaron's excited shouts make her close her mouth.
"I beat Leah," the boy blurts out, coming with a sweaty face. "Well, she let me win."
Mia smiles and hands him a couple of napkins to dry his face. She raises her hand to order a bottle of water and asks her brother to sit down.
"I'm very happy; if she let you win, it's because you're very close to beating her for real."
"Someday," Aaron confirms.
Mia nods and her expression turns serious.
"Aaron, we want to tell you what Emma is doing."
