World of If

The Call

Danny sat in a holding cell. He wasn't scared and he wasn't worried, he was numb and his mind was still spinning.

Suddenly a guard appeared at the door and a gruff, nonpersonal voice he said,

"Harper, you have a visitor."

Then he led Danny to another room with chairs behind panels of plexiglass and there were chairs and phones on the other side. When he sat down in the chair indicated Beth was on the other side the glass; She held a corded phone to her ear.

"Are you doing okay?" She asked, still looking worried.

Danny shrugged.

"Okay, I guess." Danny replied,(He was also holding a corded phone) not sure where she was going.

"Our dads are working on lining up a lawyer, a good one, I've been working on this since you left town and when I found out the authorities found out where you were I started putting things into action."

"Thanks." Danny replied, he tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "So what were you doing exactly you said we would figure it out but I don't see how..." He trailed off.

A determined look came over Beth's face. "I said we are going to fight this, take the state to court."

"But it's federal law we would have to go to a higher court."

Beth still looked determined.

"If it comes to that we will."

"Time's up." The guard standing at the back of the room grunted at Danny as soon as Beth had finished speaking.

"I gotta go." Danny murmured.

"Right." Beth replied shortly as she stood swinging her purse over her shoulder. "The lawyer should be by later. Hang in there." She nodded at the guard who ushered her out and left.

Danny was ushered back to his cell, which was just as gloomy and depressing as he had imagined. His only hope now was the lawyer that had been hired on his behalf.

The lawyer showed up the following morning. He was a lanky, reedy looking man in an ill fitting suit with short brown hair.

He shook Danny's hand as they were introduced while they met in a small interrogation room in the prison.

"Dennis Reid."

The brief meeting was spent reviewing Danny's case and Dennis and Danny exchanging information.

"On one hand you have an open and shut case, but if the federal court wants to make an example of you it may be harder."

"I'm not a criminal." Danny protested he tried to be insistent, not desperate.

"I know that and it's possible several judges know that too. You're not their poster child for the law, but you do have things going in your favor that your girlfriend isn't calling for an abortion helps."

"I mean, we never really talked about it I left after she found out. We thought it was best."

Dennis nodded, looking somber.

"I understand. The sooner we get this moving the better. I have homework to do," He gave a wry smile. "I'll be in touch."

Danny returned to his cell feeling numb, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to say a few more prayers. He could use all the prayers he could get.

Sorry I've been AWOL from the story for a while I had surgery a few weeks ago and have been recovering and I am just now getting back to the story and having a chance to really think about where the characters are going. I hope to have a few more updates this month. More coming soon.