Going Home

Part 1

"Good morning Delila, I have your coffee on your desk for you."

"Thank you, Tabatha, big day for us, cross your fingers." I was practically singing as I walked into my law office.

"Oh, did you happen to get those other files I asked of you? I will need those for my cross-exam today."

"I did, they are beside your coffee, next to the ten messages from your mother." My extremely devoted assistant who is a family dinner on Sunday girl, said looking over her glasses at me.

"I know, I know, she has been calling all morning. I'll call her back after court I have to get some things done before I head down there."

Just as the words came out of my mouth the phone rang again in my office. I smiled at Tabatha answering the phone and walked into my office closing the door. I started shuffling through my court papers knowing this was going to be a big case for my firm today. I was ready. I was ready to finally get the recognition I deserved. I was ready to be a partner.

I had spent half my life preparing for the big league at Harvard Law. Long nights, no social life, and no sex life. I gave up so much so I could be the best at what I do, I am the best, but today I have to prove it.

My cell phone kept ringing. It was becoming annoying. Seventeen missed calls from my mother now. I would answer but she tended to find gossip in our hometown an emergency. I however didn't care if Mrs. Johnson's cows got out and were in the middle of main street again. I giggled to myself and sighed, I'm so glad I'm out of there. Small-town Montana life was not for me.

I silenced my phone to vibrate and grabbed all my files. I checked my computer one last time and then grabbed my briefcase and went running out my office door with fifteen minutes to get myself downstairs. Tabatha tried to catch me again with a phone message I threw my hand up at her, "They can wait, I have court Tabs, you know the rules."

"But....." was all I heard her say as I kept going down the hall. I have to stay focused today. No Montana cows are getting in the way of my partnership. I made it with time to spare the doors hadn't opened yet. One last look at my notes and we will be good, when Travis gets here I'll catch him up. Travis was my partner, we both had worked this case to the bone. We wanted to make partner with our firm so it required endless nights in our office eating Chinese food. My phone buzzed again, this time it was a number I didn't recognize. I sighed rolling my eyes.

"Shit, I better get this it could be about the case."

"Delila Wilks."

"Del, it's Jess."

Jess my oldest friend in the world calling me, I just don't have time right now.

I cut her off immediately, "Jess I can't talk I have court."

"Del, it's your Dad, he's passed. You're needed at home. That's why we have been calling you." Her voice was stern. Jess always used that voice with me when she needed me to listen. I had a tendency to be wild in my former Montana days and Jess was my anchor.

Before I could say anything, Tabatha was running up to me with a post-it in her hand. I couldn't hear her heels echo through the courthouse as I usually did. I couldn't hear what she was saying to me. I couldn't hear what Jess was saying. There was a ringing in my ears my eyes felt like they were glazing over and the air was getting thick. I unbuttoned the top buttons of my shirt I was burning up. I backed up until I felt the cool granite wall behind me as I slid down to the floor. The phone was in my lap and all I could do was stare at it. I felt Tabatha take it from me, but I couldn't look at her. Everything was moving around me so fast, yet I was frozen. I was numb. The coolness of the floor slowly wrapped itself around me as I sat there frozen with the words imprinted in my mind. He was gone, my Dad was gone.

"Yes, I will. Ok, no problem." I heard Tabatha finish my call and lean down to me grabbing my hands.

"Delila, you have to let Travis take over, I booked you a flight and I will come with you to get you packed."

She gave me the saddest half-smile and tried to reach me.

"Delila. Your flight leaves in two hours."

"Ok, just let me finish, I...I I'm about to make partner." I could feel tears starting to threaten my eyes.

"Delila you have to go, this is your family, I've got this." Travis was there by my side how did I not see him?

Before I could protest anymore Tabatha handed all my documents to Travis and he rushed off. Tabatha grabbed my hands and pulled me to my feet. We walked to an Uber that was waiting for us outside.