Grant (part 2 of 3)

Grant

"There is a civil war going on in the world. Newtopia and Spain are the front lines."

Nancy

Grant sat up for the first time in the conversation and asked, “What is my brother paying you?”

“Well cases like this don’t come around very often. Could you know that I usually charge 23,000 coin just for an evaluation of a case? Ok but this is something special, whatever has been driving you to smash up computers and pick fights with prison inmates at that prison is going to make me a lot of money.  But not from your brother.  No, this is a case that doesn’t just change my career.  It changes the history of Newtopia and probably the world.  Ambassador, this is pro bono, you see. I should be paying you.” Grant laughed then Leroy slapped his right fingers to his left palm and his tone dropped, “but since I’m the best damn lawyer in the country that is not going to happen. What will happen-”

The bedside phone rang. Leroy stopped and waited for Grant to pick up the phone.

“Hello?” Grant said.

“Oh my God,” Nancy said. “Seamus, I can’t believe it’s you. Are you ok?”

“Nancy! Yes I’m fine. Where are you?”

“In Crete. They moved you right when I got here. I’m so alone but I’m surrounded by the best people. I mean I’m not alone but I want to see you so bad.”

Grant tried to ignore the swelling urge to cry.  Embarrassed of his rush of emotion in front of the lead attorney in Newtopia Grant was at a loss for words. Looking at Leroy he spoke about the legal battle coming up. “There is this big case though, this lawyer is saying.  I can get out of this prison or any prison pretty soon. We can sue the pants off of anyone involved with my problems.  The prison, the Cretan government… We just need to,” then he slowed down.  He finished the sentence slowly, “get…some…things…”

“There is a civil war going on in the world,” Nancy said. “Newtopia and Spain are the front lines.  Suing. Suing someone isn’t the end, Seamus.  Getting out of prison.  You getting out of there is the most important,” Nancy reinforced.

“Oh, believe me,” Grant said.  “I am the first to agree about getting out but right now it’s not about me.  It’s also not about a lawsuit like you said it’s about the ideas, changing the way people think, and that intangible shit.”

“You were always so good with words,” Nancy mocked him as if they were strolling in Spain again on a cool November day. He thought of her eyes.

“I missed you so much,” Grant said.  At that Leroy stood and began to leave. Grant snapped and pointed to Leroy’s chair. Leroy shrugged and obediently sat down. “I know this is horrible but it is also good.”

“No, it’s great to hear your voice,” Nancy reassured Grant.

“Yes same here, Hope.  I’m so grateful to know you’re safe. And I need you to do something and it’s horrible and good.  That’s what I mean. Because you can’t come back yet.”

© Stephen Orsillo | Dreamstime Stock Photos