Finest City Dreams

Chapter 46: The Way

"All rise! The jury finds Lavell Christopher Armando Suarez not guilty of 3 counts of association to a murder." The courtroom was filled with all kinds of emotions. Lavell kept his head down. Savannah sighed while her eyes were closed. She turned to Lavell and hugged him. The case was over. It was long and grueling. It physically took a toll on Savannah. Now Savannah could finally rest.

Savannah would gather her things and head out the courtroom. Right as she walked out the doorway, her name was being called.

"Savannah! Savannah!" Savannah turned around to see it was Lauryce walking up to her very quickly. Savannah sighed. "Lauryce!" "I just wanted to tell you thank you for defending my brother." Savannah would smirk. "It was no problem."

Savannah turned away from Lauryce and proceeded to walk out the courthouse. "Savannah, I really miss you!" Savannah stopped in her tracks and turned facing Lauryce. "Really?" Lauryce would nod her head rapidly. Savannah bit her lip while looking down. "Obviously our friendship didn't mean a thing to you for you to do what you did." Lauryce shook her head. "Savannah, that's not fair! I said I was sorry a million times. Please believe me!"

Savannah looked at Lauryce while squinting her eyes. "Well sorry ain't gonna change a thing. You know what you were doin'. That puppy dog look won't work. This conversation is over." Savannah turned and walked away. Nearly in tears and tight jawed, Lauryce would watch her ex-best friend walk out of the courthouse.

It was now 2013. Charles was still pinning hits for big time artists. A couple years ago, thanks to fanmail begging him to make another album, Charles would give in and make an album. It went to #1 on a number of charts. Just the fact that the love for Charles was still there by the die-hard dedicated fans would make him feel an overwhelming of positive emotions.

Charles was in San Diego to spend time with his kids. That particular day he was at the grocery store to pick up a few things. As he was coming around the corner from an aisle, Charles would bump into a woman.

"Oh I'm sorry." The woman smiled. "That's okay." The woman looked at Charles like she saw a ghost. "Charles!" Charles furrowed his brows. "Excuse me! Do I know you?" "Charles, It's me, Nicole from anger management. Remember?" Charles furrowed expression turned to a big smile. "Nicole! How are you doin!? Man, It's been a long time since I last saw you!"

Charles scanned Nicole up and down. "You look good." Nicole smiled. "So do you. But you always looked good." Nicole looked down in embarrassment after what was said. Charles grinned. "So Charles, what are you doin' here? Last I heard you had moved to Calabasas." Charles nodded. "I'm here to spend time with my kids". Nicole nodded. "Oh. I see." Charles was so mesmerized by Nicole's looks. "Look, tomorrow I won't be so busy. You wanna get somethin' to eat? Catch up?" Nicole nodded. "Yeah." Charles nodded. "Okay."

Charles pulled out his phone and handed it back to Nicole. "Go 'head and put your number in." Nicole put her phone number in Charles's phone and handed it back to him. "Alright! I'll call you later." Nicole nodded while smiling. "Okay. Bye Charles!"

The following night, Charles and Nicole would have dinner together. "So what's it like being a guidance counselor?" Nicole would take a sip of wine before answering the question. "It's quite interesting. I get to engage with children of all different backgrounds. I'll admit that it can get stressful at times. But I love what I do. Wouldn't change it for the world." Charles smiled and nodded. "That's good. I really could see you working with kids." Nicole smiled. "Thank you Charles."

Charles would take a bite of his food. "So you've been pretty busy writing songs for people to sing huh?" Charles nodded while putting his fork down. "Yeah. I'm getting ready to start touring again." Nicole nodded with enthusiasm. "I bet you can't wait for that!?" Charles nodded. "I'm really looking forward to it."

After a night of good food and interesting conversation, Charles would take Nicole back to her place. They would pull up to Nicole's apartment. Charles turned the car engine off. "Well, we're here!" Nicole nodded while looking at Charles. "Yep. We're here." Charles looked Nicole in the eye. Nicole would grin. "I had a really good time tonight, Charles." Charles nodded. "So did I." Charles and Nicole leaned into each other's faces. The next thing that happened was that both of their lips were locked together. After the kiss, Nicole grabbed her purse. "You better call me." Charles smiled. "Girl, you know I will." Nicole smiled and got out of Charles's car. "Bye Charles!" Charles waved as he pulled off. "Bye!"