Not Telling Anyone

The Lawyer, The Cheeseball, and The Mezzo

The day the jury decided to send her to jail, our dad took Ash and I to an animal rescue shelter and let us each pick out a dog to help us with the trauma.
We looked and Ash went with the first puppy that licked him; a high strung husky. He named the puppy Sparky and the dog hasn't calmed down since, but he's Ash's buddy and that's all that matters.
I, on the other hand was a lot more picky. I've always been good with animals, but I was looking for a dog that really clicked. That's when I saw a tiny, white, speckled brown ball of fluff sitting in a corner alone, something I was familiar with.
I reached my hand through the cage and held it out for the puppy to smell. Immediately the puppy sniffed my palm and snuggled into it, and that's when I knew that this was the dog for me. When a worker placed the poof ball in my arms, I saw how calm he was, and how curious he was at the same time. So I resorted to music and chose the name Mezzo since it's basically the 'chill out' dynamic.
The worker told me that he was rejected by his mother, and his original owners brought him to the shelter to save him. The mother had pushed him away, clawing his back just above his shoulder blade.They stitched him up, and bottle fed him, and he recovered. Now he was ready to find a home.
Our stories mirrored each other in such a way it was like a signal from the universe. We were meant for each other. I take care of him; feed him, brush him, bathe him, walk him, love him, all the things a dog needs and more. Heck I even cut his fur because I refuse to let someone else take care of him. In return he snuggles with me, is always by my side, cheers me up when I'm upset, loves me no matter what, heck my dad even got him registered as a service dog for anxiety and depression. Don't worry so is Sparky for Ash, but Ash isn't as bad as me, I wish I more like him sometimes. Yes, they took the class and everything. We just don't use them as service dogs much because we usually don't need to, and we can't bring them to school or work, so usually they're just for home.
So when this lady came to the door wanting to release my cruel mother made my anxiety build up and Mezzo knew it and since he's a good dog he was immediately by my side, and that's all I needed.
I patted his head and stepped forward. "Yes, I'm Kat Ranson."
"Nice to meet you!" She said cheerfully and stuck out her hand. "Susan Grieves. May I come in and speak with you?"
I shook her hand, "yes you may."
"Thank you!" She beamed and walked in and sat in the couch under the window. Isaac and I went back to our couch and sat down. Mezzo jumped up and laid his head on my lap and I absent mindlessly played with his fur. "So let's get down to business shall we?"
"Yes. Why is the D.A office revisiting her case?" I asked.
"It's been four years and there has been some controversy about her original trial. She appealed to the court saying that she had an unfair and fixed trial, and the judge decided that there will be another trial, under and different judge and a carefully picked jury," she explanation.
"So why are you here?" I asked.
"Your mother would like to talk to you and your brother," she replied.
"About what?" I asked through clenched teeth. Isaac placed his hand on my leg and looked at me with a reassuring look. Mezzo licked other hand.
"About testifying for her in court."
"Testifying?"
"For her release."
I laughed a rather sarcastic and cruel laugh. "Now why would I do such a thing?"
"She's your mothe-"
I couldn't take it. "No she's not my mother! She's a cruel and abusive thing! She's not even human! You seriously think I'm going to petition for her release? You're funny. You can't possibly think she's innocent!"
"Ms. Ranson it doesn't matter what my opinion on the situation is. I'm simply here to ask you and your brother to at least talk to her. What you do after that I have no control over, but you'll be called into to testify for the court no matter what. At least take my card and call me. We could set something up for you guys," she reached her hand out, but I had no intentions of taking it. Isaac glanced at me and reached over and grabbed it, nodding his head.
"I'll let you mull it over," she said standing up. "It was nice meeting you."
She stood up and Isaac stood up with her and walked her to the door, being polite.
When she left I could do nothing, but stare at the carpet. Isaac sat next to and placed one arm around my shoulders and with the other he grabbed my hand. Mezzo licked my face and I kind of came back to the world.
"I'm sorry you have to put up with a girl who has a messed up life. I understand if you can't deal with the drama and you want to leave," I muttered, still refusing to look up.
"Kat," he whispered. "Look at me please," he sounded a little heart broken, sad, desperate, and concerned. I honestly don't know why he stays. He doesn't have to deal with me, a broken, depressed, anxious, insecure, blah. He can go whenever he wants, but he doesn't. That's why I love him, and if he were to leave, it would shattered me, but if it meant he was happy then so be it. I'd rather him be happy over myself.
"Kat," he gently touched my face and brought my face up. "You are the greatest person I've ever met. I've known you for almost three years now, and that time may seem like a small amount of time, but it's enough to get to know a person like you know yourself. It's enough to deeply fall in love with someone and care for them no matter what. I don't care that you're insecure, it means that I can bring you up every time I compliment you. I don't care that you're broken, it means I'll always have a project in putting all the pieces back together. I don't care if you're afraid because it means I'll always have someone to protect. You may of had a rough past, but that means I can help you make a brighter future. Essentially I'm being selfish because when I make you happy, it makes me happy, so I'm doing this for the better part of me... and you I guess. Kat you're kind, funny, unique, caring, selfless, and so much more. I'm not leaving that's not the person I am. I love you the way you are, and I have no regrets."
For the first time in years I cried. It may have been the cheesiest thing ever, but I didn't care. It was sweet and made me blush and made me feel emotions. It also didn't help that he too was tearing up.
I raised my head up and he lowered his and our lips touched. We pulled away both smiling, and foreheads touching.
"It'll be okay I promise," he said, and so we snuggled back into the couch and watched our movies.