S E E K I N G
As my darkness turns to gold inside.
• • •
"Should I wear my striped shirt?" Calum asks as they ate breakfast. The hearing was only two days away, and anxiety was running high; especially since he was trying to avoid smoking.
She makes a face over her coffee cup. "No stripes. Keep it simple. Also, no tie."
"Doesn't that seem a little too simple?"
"No, it's not like a crowd is gonna be there or anything."
"Yeah, but I still wanna make a good impression on the judge." He pauses from spreading the jam on his toast; thinking. "Should I wear a suit?"
She rolls her eyes endearingly. "It's not that serious Cal."
"I mean it kinda is. Maybe I should wear a suit."
"You don't need a suit."
"Alright then, I'll wear a suit." He persists, going back to his toast.
"I feel so heard." She snorts sarcastically.
He smiles. But before he could get his own witty statement out, their home phone goes off. "Duke, would you get that for us bud?" He looks down to the dog who was eating his own breakfast.
"I'm pretty sure he would if he could." She chuckles. "I'll get it. It's probably Sierra." The caller ID however, is unfamiliar. Though skeptical, she answers. "Hello?"
"Audra, hi. This is Mr. Downey. I tried to reach you guys in your cells but only got the voicemail."
"Yeah, sorry we're not around our phones."
"No worries. I'm calling to ask if you and Calum are able to stop by my office today at around noon? I have some interesting news for you both."
"Uhm..." She looks at the tan boy who was already looking in her direction. Her mind was still fixated on the interesting news, part. Did that mean things were good? Were they bad? Did Janice drop the case after Mona sent her that strongly worded dm on Instagram? Did Mr. Downey find out about that strongly worded dm on Instagram?
"Audra?" Dr. Downey calls out.
"Right, I'm sorry. Yes, we'll be there."
"Great, I'll see you in a bit."
"Alrighty, see you." She hangs up the receiver, heading back to their table. "Mr. Downey said he wants to see us today at noon."
"But it's Saturday."
"I'm aware, but he said he had some interesting news for us."
"Interesting?"
"Yeah, kinda cryptic right?"
"How did he sound when he said it?"
"I honestly couldn't tell." She muses over the short conversation. "Anyway, I'm gonna start getting ready."
"And I'm, gonna take your bacon." He forks at her plate.
"Knock yourself out."
• • •
"Thank you, guys, again for coming in on such short notice." Mr. Downey unlocks his office door. He was the only one there today as expected. He was also dressed down: a plain white T shirt, dad jeans, and open toe sandals. A major contrast to his formal attire. "I would have talked to you guys over the phone but, confidentiality rules and everything...Alright, so my first question is for you Calum. You said that the CPS officer that came to your home said they had an order to do remove your daughter, correct?"
