Catching Feelings

20

"Thanks for coming with me B..." I say quietly for the twentieth time as I grab her hand and step off the elevator.
"I had to Justin..." she reminds me softly. "I don't want to be here."
"I know baby...I'm sorry." I give her hand a squeeze as we make our way into the office.
An impeccably dressed and sickeningly sweet receptionist shows us into a private office where my attorney and Scooter both wait and asks if we'd like anything to drink. We both decline and she makes a quick exit.
I glance at Scooter who looks more agitated and nervous than I've ever seen him, but he doesn't look up. My attorney pushes the chair back from his temporary desk and stands to shake my hand "Good to see you again Justin...ready for this today?"
I nod "Good seeing you too James. And yeah, as ready as I'll ever be...I just want to get this over with."
He nods as I wait for Bobbi to sit and then settle into the chair next to her.
"So..." Jakes begins, suddenly all business "I was just discussing how this is going to work with Scooter when you arrived, so we might as well delve into that first."
"That's fine." I say flatly.
"How the test is administered is really very simple. Someone here in this lab will swab the inside of your cheek, as well as the child in question's and then..."
"Wait, what? Hold up...is she here? I want to talk to her!" I'm already starting to stand when he shakes his head. "No, neither she nor the child will be present today." He narrows his eyes in suspicion "Why would you need to speak with her Justin?"
I see Bobbi turn to face me, waiting for an explanation as well out of the corner of my eye. "What do you mean why would I want to speak with her? Are you kidding me right now bro?"
"Justin!" Scooter snaps "Watch it."
"Okay okay...sorry. But why wouldn't I want to speak to her? I'd like to ask her a few questions, like what the hell she's thinking and what fucking mental institution she escaped from."
"Hey!" Scooter snaps again, much louder this time "You better remember why we're here. To help you and to make sure we get this cleared up with minimal damage to your career. I know you're upset, but I think it's pretty safe to say we all are."
I ignore him but sit back down, quietly waiting for my attorney to go on.
James waits for the smoke to clear a little before speaking "Well, listen that's pretty much all there is to the test, like I said...its simple, but there's still a little ground you and I need to cover if that's alright."
He waits for my response and then continues when I nod "Right, okay so I've got a copy of her petition to the court, in it she states the details of your alleged encounter with her and presents any facts she believes might help support her claim. Now I know this is uncomfortable for everyone, but we need to review and discuss these allegations, whether they're unfounded or not."
"They are." I interrupt firmly.
"Great! That's what I like to hear. But I want you to bear in mind that I'm on your side here, and so is Scooter, as is Bobbi I assume..." he looks to her with a smile. She returns it but is visibly tense and uncomfortable "So if for any reason you might have anything you'd like to share, or if something in this paperwork jogs your memory, you need to speak up immediately."
I assure him that I will and as he begins I turn to Bobbi and try to catch her eye, but she refuses to look in my direction.
****
As he starts going over details I find it hard to look at Justin and am already extremely uncomfortable. He starts off with details of the concert, things that anybody that came to one of his shows would know. I glance over at Justin, seeing the impatient look on his face.
He interrupts "Ok yea James any fan would know this stuff..hell anybody who has been to one of my shows."
Scooter shushes him as James looks at him over the top of his glasses "I know Justin, I'm just reading you what she is claiming happened that night from start to finish."
Justin slouches back in his chair and fiddles with his pen while bouncing his knee. James clears his throat and continues on. I'd really give anything not to be here right now. I'd almost rather not know so I try my hardest to tune him out but what he says next makes me gasp slightly.
"Justin, she claims that after the show you took her back to your tour bus.."
Justin looks up at him and then over at me. I drop my eyes to my lap as he continues on.
"She says that you took her to the only bedroom on the bus where you proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her...and that you continually told her, and I quote 'be as loud as you want to be, I want to hear you'
He drops his pen and looks over at me..I choke back tears as I've heard him say this to me many times before.
He stomps his foot "This is such bullshit...she's lying...she..."
Scooter interrupts him "Justin we have to listen to what he's saying regardless, just calm the hell down."