Acrimony: Unhinged Return

A Woman's World

Melinda clutched to Derrick's body as if he was her body pillow. No words spoken as she blankly stared at the wall. It had been day 2 of her silence and he had to admit that it was quite eerie. Usually she would be ranting and raving nonstop about whatever Jo did or said but for her to be absolutely quiet meant things were not right whatsoever. This couldn't have been a small argument. He caressed her head, his nails lightly scratching her scalp. "Mellie?" She hummed in response, still not moving her position. "Can you please talk to me?" She blinked a few times before sighing heavily. "I guess." He chuckled to himself, shaking her body. She groaned, he was shaking her out of her comfortable position.

"What have you been busy with?" She asked, deflecting with ease. He rolled his eyes. He'd answer her but it was back to her problem with Jo. "The house is getting the finishing touches done but is complete for the most part. Started forwarding mail there so we don't have to worry about that while we wait on Akiro." She smiled to herself. She was loving the name more and more each day. "Can't wait to see your masterpiece," she said. "Mmhmm. Also Nan is preparing her healing basket for your birth." "More tea?" "No. She and Dawn came to an agreement." She hummed and nodded at that. She didn't want to hear anyone else yelling about how to get another baby out of her.

"Baby?" "Yes?" "Talk to me. What happened?" With another heavy sigh, she finally began to open up. "Jo is so damn stubborn and can't let shit go. She is still riding this wave about Lira being sus. But she can't even give me a real reason why. She just keeps saying she has this feeling. Whatever the fuck that means," she huffed. "Mel..... you know exactly what that means." "So you're on her side?" "I didn't say that. I'm just saying that once upon a time you were on edge when things just felt off in any way. Jo is the same way. With everything that has happened I can understand her concern." "So you ARE taking her side."

"Mellie I'm stating facts. Not choosing one way or another. Maybe hear her out? If yall can sit down and just let each other speak your parts." Mel rolled her eyes. "Did i ask you for a solution? You said to talk and I did. I'm not about to keep sitting down with Jo just for her to keep yelling at me and throwing bad juju my way!" Mel spat. "That doesn't sound like Jo babe," Mel lifted her head and glared at him. The nerve of him to not believe her. With a huff, she shoved him hard enough to give her a boost up. "Where are you going?" "Away from you," she hissed as she waddled out of the room. She'd rather go cuddle up with the one person she knew would take her side. Saniyah.

Meanwhile, Mel's lawyer Clarke sighed as he finally took a glimpse of his office. The past month had been so hectic, even his assistant hadn't found the time to organize her own desk. This was what happened when he decided to represent 3 teenage alleged gang members and 4 big named clients caught up in a RICO. He started with the files that toppled across his desk, knowing they needed to be put away before anyone else caught a peek at confidential information. After a couple hours went by, he sat down and began to go through his mountain of mail. Some were notices he already was aware of then there was one that caught his attention. The first sentence was all he needed to quickly pick up his phone.

Notice to Victim
Please be advised that defendent Robert Vincent Gayle has filed a motion for suspension of prosecution and will be seen by the courts on August 14th of 2023.

The phone rang back to back as he continued to read the letter. Melinda's voicemail picked up making him groan. "Good evening Melinda. I'm calling you because I am going to need you to come into the office as soon as you can. We have a few things that have come about and we need to discuss them asap. Please give me a call back as soon as you get this message," he relayed. Hanging up he cursed loudly. He knew that man would be out in a couple more years but this was by far too soon. He scanned the letter for Robert's new lawyer. There was only 1 person he could think of that could work magic and get Robert up for parole. And just as he suspected, that man was Lawrence Stone. Letting out a deep breath, he quickly called Stone up.