Not Nearly Metta

Case of the Ex

             “Your honor, I call that we postpone this case till I have time to meet up with my client on the case” I said. “Do you in any way disagree with that Counselor Artest” the judge asked.  Artest I said in my mind as I tried to see the other counselor.  “Not at all your Honor I am fully aware that Ms. Foxx was just assign to this case” Mr. Artest said. “Very well then you have a month Ms. Foxx. Court adjourn” the judge said. “Thank you” I said as I grab my suitcase and walked out with my client. “Excuse me Ms. Foxx can I have a moment of your time” a familiarvoice said from behind. “Counselor Artest, what do I owe the honor” I said shaking his hand. “How are you” he asked. “Fine and you” I replied. “I know your fine, I was asking how you were doing, not how you look, I can see that for myself” he said” I laughed and said “still using those played out lines I see”. “Okay well how about this. Would you like to go out for coffee” he asked with a smirk. “Um Ms. Holiday, please excuse me I will be there shortly” I said to my client. “As much as I would like to catch up with you Antonio work comes first” I said. “How about dinner” he said. “Sorry but I already had to canceled my dinner plans for tonight” I said. “Well you have to eat sometimes” he said not giving in until I said yes. “You’re right. How about next Wednesday at the sandwich shop on Taylor ST.? At 11:30am” I said looking him over and thinking he was looking good. “Oooh sorry Lela, I can’t make it at 11:30am how about 11:28am” he said with a smirk. I didn’t say anything I just nodded and walked off knowing he was still watching me.

           I worked day and night on the case. It was a no brainer but if I knew Antonio he would have some trick up his sleeve. I made sure my client testimony was solid as well as my witnesses. “Ms. Foxx, there is a gentleman waiting for you. He said he has an 11 o’clock appointment with you” my assistant Jessica said. It was 10:13am who would be this early for an appointment. I checked my planner, and it didn’t say I was scheduled to see any one at 11 o’clock. “Damn I forgot I was supposed to be meeting up with Antonio at 11:30” I said out load to myself. I buzzed my assistant and told her to tell Mr. Artest that I will be with him shortly. I quickly put away my case document and told my assistant to let him in. “So I see you have an appointment with Antonio Artest at 11” a voice said as the door opened up. I look up and was not only surprise to see it was not Antonio but a little embarrassed because of who it was. “Ronnie” I said walking from behind my desk to give him a hug. “How are you Le-Le” he said tighten his squeeze around my waste and slightly lifting me in the air. “Good and you” I said looking him over. He had long dreads down his back now a white t-shirt, light blue jeans and brown boots. “Well I guess it’s safe to say you have plans already” he said smiling. “But not dinner” I said still smiling. “You look good Lela” he said sitting on the edge of my desk instead of the chair. “So do you. What has it been 4, 6 years” I said not knowing how long. “Yea something like that” he said looking around my office. “Where have you been? The last I heard you were in Amsterdam. Trying out all the legal weed you can get your hands on” I said laughing. “Well that is the Weed Capital of the word” he joked. “But I just came from Canada and thought I’ll come back to the States and visit a few people I know. You are the first one I seen so far” he said. “Well do you need a place to stay I have a guess room you can stay in or a pool room” I said. “Nah I’m good but I am hungry how about a bit to eat, while you catch me up on you and Antonio” he said picking up my graduation photo of the whole crew. “How is everyone” he said placing the photo down. “Pretty good everybody doing their own thing. But Anthony passed away a few years back. No one had a way to contact you I’m sorry. I know how close you two were” I said grabbing his hand. “How” he ask. “He was training for a body building contest and he pop a main vein” I said holding back the tears. “I told him to leave them steroids along. That was unnatural to the body. He was better off smoking weed” he joking said. I could tell he was upset about it and just didn’t want me to see. “So tell me about you and Antonio” he said changing the subject. “There is nothing to say. I haven’t seen him since graduation from Alabama. I gave him my number and he never called. I went on with life and graduated from law school and now I’m one of the top attorney’s in Georgia” I said smiling. He clapped his hands and said “you should pat yourself on the back”. “Oh shut up” I said making faces at him. “Oh very professional” he said laughing. “But you have yet to answer my question about Antonio your 11 o’clock” he added. “Last week I got a last minute call about a case. I took it and when I arrived in the court room he was the defendant attorney. But that is all I can say about the case” I said. “I know but I was interested in you two not the case” he said. “So when does he get here” he asked. “He doesn’t we will be meeting him at a sandwich shop at 11:30” I said. “Nah you can have that I don’t want to step on anyone toes. You know the brotha ain’t got no game” he said laughing. “Trust me your not he was the past and I’m sure he doesn’t even see me that way anymore” I said. “Well do you still see him in that way” he asked hinting at my old feelings for him. “No! Look I’m just having lunch with an old class mate that’s it” I said. We continued to talk and then headed for the the sandwich shop.