Beautifully Awake(68)

“So, Lee, you need to keep the weekend of August twenty-first open for Sierra’s baby shower.”

It was a little before nine and the rest of the team was at surgical grand rounds.

“Weekend?” Leanne questioned.

“The shower is going to be in Cape Cod.”

“As in, Massachusetts? What, Arizona was too far?”

I ignored her sarcasm. “It’s gonna be Jack and Jill, so you can bring your flavor of the month.”

“You mean Jack and whore.”

Oops, she wasn’t feeling my humor.

“You know I’m teasing. What? You can dish it out but can’t take it, huh?”

Leanne continued to pout despite my joke. Okay, it probably wasn’t all that funny.

“Whatever,” she caved and sighed.

I laughed. “Anyway, it’s going to be at the Wychmere Beach Club in Harwich Port.”

“So you’re basically telling me I need to sit in the car for six hours or probably more because we’re gonna hit a shitload of traffic to prance around at a fancy beach club.” This time she feigned annoyance.

Actually, I wouldn’t be surprised if Sierra’s parents bought plane tickets for all of Sierra’s friends, but I didn’t say that. “Oh come on, it will be a blast. We’ll head up Friday after work, go out, have some drinks … and after the shower, we can hang on the beach, and work on our tans. It’ll be fun.”



“Okay, okay. You had me at sun and tans. I’m in, now I just have to find a date.”

“What about Jack? You guys have been eying each other up and down for weeks.” I swore Leanne’s cheeks turned magenta; I didn’t think she had it in her. “Leanne Crowley, are you blushing?”

“Don’t you have something better to do? Discharge someone, call an insurance company, whatever the hell you do.” She waved me off as she stood and circled the counter, attempting to busy herself.

“I hit a nerve,” I said, chuckling. “He’s hot, Lee, and genuinely awesome, you should totally work that.”

Leanne immediately twirled her long blonde hair. She was definitely considering, or reconsidering, Jack.

“Excuse me, sorry to interrupt.” A tall, thin suited gentleman approached us at the nurses’ station. “I’m looking for Ms. Lili Porter. The security office sent me to this floor.”

I shifted uncomfortably. He looked very official carrying a large sealed envelope.

“Can I help you? I’m Lili Porter.”

“Yes. I’m a process server, and I’m here to deliver you official court documents.” A small, familiar lump formed in my throat. He handed me the envelope. “I need your signature here, please, just verifying you received the documents.” I took his pen and scribbled my name on the line. “I recommend you review them as soon as possible. They are usually very time sensitive. Any questions you might have, I would encourage you to contact your attorney.”

“Thank you,” I said.

“Have a pleasant day.” He strode directly away without a backward glance.

“What the hell was that about?” Leanne looked shocked. “You’re being subpoenaed? For what?”

I tore the large familiar envelope open and removed the single sheet of paper.

You are commanded to appear before Judge Wilson of the Superior Court of the State of Pennsylvania for Wrangel County at the County Courthouse, 15 Main St. Wrangel, PA, on Friday, July 28 at 9 AM to testify on behalf of the plaintiff and to remain in attendance until you have given your testimony or have been dismissed or excused by the court.



“I was a social worker at a children’s crisis center back in my hometown. Unfortunately I have had to testify my fair share. Mostly family court stuff, but also a few child abuse cases. They can take forever to go to trial, guess this is one finally coming to fruition.” I sighed. “Can you tell the team I had to take care of something? Gonna run and make a few calls.”

“You okay?” Leanne looked concerned.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. It’s more annoying than anything.” The thought of another innocent child being abused made me sick to my stomach.

“Okay. I’ll let them know.”

“Thanks.” I grabbed my bag from my office and headed for the river’s edge. Call me naive, but I planned to never set foot back in Wrangel. Now I had no choice.

“Hey Asspuck,” Sierra answered on the first ring. “Aren’t you working or did Dr. Hot-as- Balls give you the day off?”

“I have to go home.” The words singed my tongue.

“Explain home?” Sierra demanded.

“I have to be in Wrangel by nine AM Friday morning,” I paused. Shit, saying it out loud made it real.