Beacon Falls - 1

Chapter 6 - Homebound

Michael

Abby has been on a mission since last Saturday, driving me up the roof with questions either about my family which was I tend to avoid at all cost. Sarah and I left on a good note, something in me was worried that it was a mistake but if I didn't extend my own olive branch, I will feel even more guilty than I did. I apologized for what I said but inside I knew it wasn't enough, not that I should feel guilty according to the most insufrable woman on earth, Abby. We were preoccupied in my office running a few last details past one another regarding a new case. I have been secured to my desk since we received it, a case of a battered mom and her daughter filing divorce papers with a custody agreement. Ava was handling the divorce whilst I took over the custody agreement. Abby had a small heart when it came to kids and could never go through with the cases, so instead she and I compromised a lot when our work overlapped.

"You sure about this?" Abby asked, her legs tucked underneath her body. Her white flowing dress falling over her legs and the leather chair. Her blond hair pulled back into a small pony. It was her laid-back go to when we are the only two left in the office, and this week it was a recurring pattern.

"Yes. Liza wants full custody of her daughter and a restraining order implemented in both cases. We need to stipulate that he may not have contact with either before and after the papers have been signed. Judge Harlow is working the case, he will be easy to sway in our favour." I informed her. My elbows rested on the table, my scruffy jawline resting on my hands. My grey suit jacket was sprawled across the back of my chair along with tie, the top buttons open of my light blue button up.

"Alright, I will write the papers in the morning. We can arrange a meeting with her tomorrow afternoon, does that work for you?" Abby asked. A quick glance to off my calendar.

"Set it up" I said, pilling all the papers in order before neatly filling them away in the client folder.

"Great." Abby closed her diary.

"Go home, you deserve it." I said. Abby was an energetic woman but when we had a case like this, she had the tendency to lose sleep over stress.

"Are you taking your own advice?" She asked, her eyebrow arched. "I still have a few things to do. Go home!"

"Alright, whatever you say" She eyed me for a few more seconds before heading to her own office.

It was not long before I completely forgot about what the time was, lost in my work. Abby and I filed for our leave; they were happy to grant them both but mine came back with an

entire week added to it. When I addressed the miss type, they informed me that it was not up for discussion and that the partners have given orders to extended my leave due to hours I have put in over the last few years. I was not a workaholic, maybe I was. I hardly payed attention to my surroundings until my phone vibrated beside the screen. I reached across and brough the cold glass to my ear.

"Anderson?"

"Don't you ever sleep?" Sarah sweet voice echoed across the speaker. We have been in constant contact since Saturday, calling each other at least once a day. It was comforting in a manner but also nerve racking.

"Sleep is over rated" I laughed.

"Nothing has changed. You are still a workaholic" She teased. Back when I was younger, I had a habit of working on projects through the night. When I had a big test to study for it was the same. However, the two years I lived in my car it was a bit more a challenge to do homework in the backseat of a vehicle.

"Yeah! Yeah! I am a nerd!"

"Which Hotel are guys staying at?" She asked.

"The Beacon Fall Inn. Check in Friday at two, why want to meet afterwards? I do recall I owe you a dinner?"