After brunch we all went our separate ways. I had an appointment with my lawyer, and although Wes had planned to come, my father had invited him to a round of golf at the country club down the street. I laughed picturing Wes playing golf but I was sure that after a few holes they'd end up grabbing lunch and a couple of drinks like my father usually did. Wes was nervous about spending time alone with my father but he also knew he couldn't decline his invitation. I could see that my father genuinely liked Wes so I assured him that everything would be fine. My mom had prior plans to get her nails done with Elle's mother so I was on my own.
I grabbed my car keys from the key rack by the garage and admired my silver 2011 Toyota Prius. I loved having my own car without the worry of who could drive me where I needed to be. I slid into the leather seats and ran my hands over the steering wheel like a child with a new toy.
I slid my auxiliary cord into my iPhone and blared Taylor Swift's new album during the twenty-minute drive to the Morris and James attorneys' office.
Pulling into the parking lot to the large twelve-story brick building, I found a space near the entrance and headed inside.
I got to the eighth floor and walked through the large glass doors into the office. I gave my name to the receptionist, an older woman with white hair and bright pink lipstick that matched the frame of her glasses. I took a seat in the waiting room while I waited for Mr. James to summon me into his office. The waiting room smelled like leather and coffee and there were numerous magazines spread out across the table in between the chairs. I reached over and took one that had the Kardashian's on the cover and flipped through it while I waited.
A few minutes later I was reading about Justin Beiber's latest scandal when I heard footsteps followed by my name.
"Ms. Lane, I'm glad you could make it," Mr. James held out his hand and I stood to shake it, smiling politely. "Let's head back to my office so that we can get everything settled, shall we?"
I nodded and followed him to his office. His desk was neatly organized, and there was a folder placed in the middle with my name on the tab. I took the seat across from his desk and played with my hands, admiring the view from his windows.
"Alright Ms. Lane I have filed the report and stated the events which you had described to have occurred at the residence of Mr. Wesley Walker. I need you to signed on the line below to verify the information is accurate."
Mr. James slid a paper over to me and I quickly read over the information before signing below.
"The courts have accepted your petition for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order and have served Mr. Jesse Mayfield with the order where he is currently staying at his mother's residence." Mr. James told, his glasses perched on his nose as he looks over more documents. "This here is the order with the provisions stating what Mr. Mayfield is and is not permitted. You should take a moment to read this over before signing on the required space at the bottom of the order."
Mr. James handed me a document and my eyes widened as I read over the restraining order.
Mr. Jesse Mayfield is prohibited from the following actions towards Ms. Brookelyn Lane in regards to the Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) that has been approved by the court:
1. Mr. Mayfield is prohibited from contacting Ms. Lane in person, by phone, by email, or any other medium.
2. Mr. Mayfield is ordered to remain outside of 100 yards of Ms. Lane at all times
Should Mr. Jesse Mayfield violate the able provisions, the following actions will be taken:
1. Should Mr. Mayfield violate the provisions stated by the court in the DVRO protecting Ms. Brookelyn Lane, he shall be held in contempt of court. The case will then move from civil court to criminal court and a criminal protective order (CPO) will be issued.
2. Should the violated protective order involve police intervention, an emergency protective order (EPO) will be issued.
3. Should Mr. Mayfield violate these provisions and the case is moved to criminal court, Mr. Mayfield will be considered a criminal and will be punished for the violation of the state's laws.
Ms. Lane should have this DVRO on her person at all times. Should Ms. Lane lose these documents, contact the court for copies immediately.
Ms. Lane is encouraged to call the police immediately should Mr. Mayfield violate the provisions stated by the court and makes contact in any form.
This DVRO will remain in affect for two years after the court has approved of the protection order. Upon the completion of this two-year period, Ms. Lane may extend or dismiss the order. A new DVRO may be renewed whether or not Mr. Mayfield violates these provisions.
I took a deep breath and signed my name on the space allotted at the end of the document. "Is that everything?"
"Yes, I'll make you two copies of this so that you can keep one in your home and another in your purse. I will also make you copies of the police and court reports for you to keep with you at your residence as well. It is very important, Ms. Lane, that you keep this order with you when you're out and that you contact the police immediately should Mr. Mayfield violate the order."
I nodded and Mr. James gathered the papers, leaving the room to make the copies. It was surreal to think that my safety lie in the hands of one document. I hoped that the last two weeks have shown that Jesse is planning to stay away from me and follow the provisions of the DVRO.
"Okay, Ms. Lane here are your documents," Mr. James said, handing me a stack of papers. "Please call me if you need anything at all. Do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or worries."
"Thank you, I will." I told him and shook his extended hand before leaving his office. I waved to the receptionist on my way out and breathed in the chilly air once I got outside. The sun was shining despite it being December, and the warmth of the sunshine on my skin mixed with the cold was refreshing.
I got into my car and folded the documents in half, placing them inside of my oversized handbag. I pulled out of the parking space and made my way home to my parents and Wes.
TWENTY
My mother was in the living room reading a book off of her kindle when I got home. She looked up from under her reading glasses and smiled at me.
"Did everything go alright, honey?" she asked me.
"Yes, I have everything here," I pulled the papers from my bag and handed them to her for her to read.
After a couple of minutes she looked up from the documents, "Well everything sounds like it's been taken care of. Make sure you keep these papers on you, sweetie."
"I know, Mom." I smiled warmly at my mother and stuffed the papers back into my purse. "Where are Daddy and Wes?"
"Your father just called. They're heading home from the club now," she gave me a soft look. "I think he's a good boy, Brookelyn. But you haven't been together very long so just remember to take it slow, okay?"
"Mom!"
She chuckled, "Honey I meant take things slow with your heart. I wasn't giving you the sex speech." I sighed with relief and she paused, "Should I be giving you the speech, Brookelyn?"
"No! Mom, we haven't-I didn't-uh," I sputtered, and threw my hands up, exasperated. "Just no, Mom. No speech."
"Alright, sweetie. But if you have any questions you know you can-," her statement was thankfully cut off by the sound of laughter entering the house.
"I can't even believe what I'm hearing! There's no way that Chicago's going to win. No chance." I heard my dad say just before they came into sight.
"They've got those two new guys on the team! They're gonna kill it, I know it." Wes replied.
"Hey honey, how did the meeting go?" my father asked me as I stood comprehending the scene that I had just witnessed. Wes and my father coming home from playing golf, laughing like longtime friends, arguing over sports. He leaned over and kissed my forehead before placing a kiss on my mother's cheek, a smile still lingering on his face from his conversation with my boyfriend.
"It went well. Everything is all taken care of," I told him and gave Wes a questioning glance. He smiled and just shrugged his shoulders in a way that translated ‘what can I say, he loves me.' I rolled my eyes but laughed. I was glad that they had had a good time together male bonding. Having my father approve of the man I loved meant everything.