Always Standing Steady

Finally We Meet

081300SJUL16: July 8, 2016. 1300. Topeka, Kansas, United States of America.

Derek reached across the gap between them to take Isabella's hand. Anything to stop her from turning that photograph into tissue paper before her parents arrived. Isabella had booked a reservation at a random chain restaurant under Derek's name--why, exactly, was nothing more than her own paranoia doing its job. They had a table next to a children's birthday party and far away from any prying eyes. All they needed was Tom and Molly Siteki.

Isabella was almost certain that her parents would not show. It was a pleasant surprise when they did; it was disappointing to see in their expressions that their feelings about Derek had not changed. All the same, they sat down.

"Isabella," Molly gushed in just the way she did, "I'm so glad you found time in your busy schedule to finally talk with your parents. I was hoping for it to be in different company."

"Mrs. Siteki," Derek spoke up, "it is lovely to see you as well." He already knew that his soon to be mother-in-law was praying for the news of their break up. Too bad that was not going to happen.

"Mom, dad," Isabella spoke up quickly, "do you remember the end of my senior year of high school when I took that photography class?"

"Yes, we do," Tom answered quite uncertainly.

"What does this have to do with anything?" Molly asked.

Isabella pretended as if they had not spoken. "Well, I went back to my room to see if any of my photographs were lying around. You know, just for something I want to try for the wedding." Molly choked, that was ignored as well. "It's just, I found this one."

She slid the picture onto the table. She didn't take it: she knew that. Someone had taken it at the end of summer neighborhood party; everyone had been there. Anyone could have taken that picture. And that, was what mattered. The picture itself featured the six nearest people pulled together for a group picture: Will, Mia, James, Tom, Molly, and the previous governor. James's hand was on Mia's waist, telling the world when, exactly, their sidelong glances stopped being just glances. Molly was looking at Will as if he had just told her something very interesting. The governor had his hand behind Tom's back, as if putting something into his pocket.

"Oh, I remember that," Molly smiled as she picked up the picture. "That was so much fun. You were such a good photographer."

Again, Isabella pretended that they had not spoken, "I was not at that party. I went to see Ari off. I was actually going to ask you why Will was there. This was before his sentence was up."

"Oh, that," Molly waved a hand as if to wave away the issue. "The judge was a friend of my family's. I got him let out for the day, so he would not miss out on that fun day."

Isabella chose to pretend that she did not hear her mother speak once again; she had given up trying to remind her mother of the crimes that deserved punishments, even when those times were committed by boys who could have otherwise had bright futures.

"Why are you wondering?" Tom asked a little too quickly.

"Which judge?" Isabella asked.

"Judge Caldwell?" Tom answered it like it was a question. "Why? That was a long time ago."

"My department is running an investigation into wrongdoings by judges on the district court circuit. Caldwell has similar accusations of bias in his rulings. I just wanted to know who applied that bias to William Fisher." The set of Isabella's jaw made Derek lean forward, eager to watch his fiancé get her detective on.

"Oh, Izzy-"

"-Isabella."

It was Molly's turn to ignore her daughter. "This is ridiculous. You know what you need, a hobby. I get your point, fine. You want to be a modern woman and all that. Women like that end up alone. Please, you need to grow up and get yourself a real job."