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I sit back in the bedside chair and cross s The next fewlike a black cloud is about to spill rain all over us both

“Really” She pinches her bright red lips together The lipstick beginning to seep into the tiny wrinkles around her ry to amused in the space of a second

“What?” I ask

“I’ood day, Willow Iour country But sos just as clear as they happened And I think I’ve got so that may help you today”

“Who do you think you are, little girl?” Derrick wads up the paper in his hand and throws it fro me in the shoulder

He would be attractive if he wasn’t so ugly on the inside But all I see is the well-dressed entitled smirk and I want to kick his stupid overly whitened teeth down his gullet

Everybut I keepof the conference rooman, the law office where Derrick is one of the prize defense attorneys Shocking, perhaps, that he’sthe rich froular Joe incarcerated so fast your head would spin But in their world that’s a fair result Money talks

And Derrick’s family thinks they are untouchable Myto change I’e I’ve picked up my phone to text or call Pike ten times since I left Maisy but put the phone down every ti to stand on my oo feet

It doesn’tto be frozen by that fear any longer When I get into the office, Derrick’s there but his father is nowhere to be found Derrick encywithout anyone else here anything could happen

I push through and deliver the letter into his hand anyway Watching as Derrick’s face goes fro to furious

“So, that’s not the contrite apology you were expecting? I’ Derrick’s face turn red His frustration isn’t hidden by his hand made suit or blood red tie I think if I wait here just a little longer I will leave sprayed with blood fro, fat head

My pal but I’ve never felt more powerful More free

“You little bitch” He shakes his head and starts to walk around the conference table The floor to ceiling s are letting in thea halo around his dark form His slicked back, black hair shines under the conference rooer than I re towards htmare from my own past Finally, my resolve shows its first crack as I take a step back

“So we’re done here?” I shrugto pound My hands grip the strap onas I force myself to focus and take a side step toward the door

“Oh no We are not fucking done here We are so far fro done, Willow” Derrick co me backward and nearly off my feet