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Chapter 20

As she woke up she noticed Mike wasn't in bed with her. She got up and picked up his shirt from the floor and put it on. Downstairs she saw him working on his laptop. As he saw her, he closed the laptop.  "Good morning. How did you sleep?" He said getting up and getting her a cup of coffee. She sat down. He put the cup of coffee in front of her and kissed her head.

"Great. Am I always going to be sore afterwards?"

"No, that's until you get used to it." He said smiling , getting back to the laptop.

"I wanted to ask you. They are handing out the tickets for my graduation ceremony. Do you want to come?"

"I would love to, but I got some bad news today. My mother has gotten worse, so I'm going to have to go home for a while. I hate to leave you when your friend is leaving too. But I will be back. And I'll make it up to you. I promise." He said as she drank her coffee disappointed.

"I'm sorry to hear about your mom. When would you be leaving?"

"This afternoon. I'm just finishing up some reports that are due on Monday and then I'm packing and leaving."

"So soon? Well, have a safe flight and come back to me soon." She said walking towards him while he closed his laptop and got up. He hugged her and kissed her hard.

"Please be careful while I'm gone."

She went upstairs and got dressed then left. She went to the dorm and changed and headed to the hospital. Kathleen had just left to start getting everything ready for their trip so Patrice was by herself. "Hey, girl." She greeted her as Alice walked in.

"Hey, you seem in a good mood."

"I am. Even though I'm leaving you I'm excited to go back home. To see my whole family again. You seem different." Patrice said examining her. "What's with you?" Alice smiled as she sat down. "No! You didn't?"

"I sure did and it was amazing. I felt things I've never felt before. He was so gentle and reassuring."

"Well, good for you. It was about time you got some." Patrice said laughing. "So, is he ready to meet the family on graduation day?"

"He won't be attending."

"Alice, it's your graduation. He should be there. What is his excuse?"

"He won't be able to attend because he'll be in Maine. His mom got worse so he has to go there for a while. He's actually leaving this afternoon."

Patrice stared at Alice. "I know you don't want to hear it. But it smells fishy. He's hiding something, Alice."

"Patrice, he's not hiding anything. I should know. I've been to his place."

"Where does he work exactly?"

"He's a consultant for different firms, he doesn't work in a specific place."

"It doesn't seem right. I think he has another family."

"Like a wife and kids? And where is he hiding them, Patrice? I've spent the night twice at his place."

"Maybe in Maine. He could be one of those businessmans that's always traveling. She could be an innocent housewife trusting her husband while she stays home with the kids."

"You have a great imagination, but I trust him. His mother is sick and he has to go see her. Patrice, he asked me to move in with him after I told him you were leaving."

"Please tell me you said no. It's too soon and we haven't ruled out he's a psychopath."

"Now he's a psychopath?"

"Is that your dad on the news?" Patrice asked as she glanced at the tv.

"Yeah, raise the volume."

"Judge Fletcher , what do you have to say about these allegations?"

"Please, leave me and my family alone." Her father said pushing through a group of reporters in front of their house.

"There you have it directly from Judge Carl Fletcher 's residence. He hasn't denied or confirmed the allegations. To those just joining us. Earlier today, pictures of the judge with different prostitutes in compromising positions arrived at the station. He has been asked to step down from his position until this situation is cleared up."

"Oh my God! Your dad! I can't believe he would do something like that."

"This has to be some type of joke. My dad with prostitutes? He loves my mom. He would never do anything to jeopardize his family or work. I have to go, my mother must be going crazy."

"Yes, yes, go! Give me a hug and keep me posted." They hug and Alice left running.