Chapter 99
I had spent the day at the office. To say I had been working would be to exaggerate what I had been doing. I had spent hours reading the same report. I read and re read the same page over and met without comprehending what was written. My thoughts kept going back to Hana. Jason’s little show didn’t help the matter. He had planted the seest of doubt in my mind. But I wasn’t going to accept his reasoning. I had my own reasons. Apart from Jason’s visit, my day had been spent alone. Which was what I wanted. As darkness covered the city I knew I needed to go here. But I didn’t want to. My apartment had once been a place to sleep and spend my free time. Then Hana had moved in and it became a home. Now as I walked through the door, it was depressing and empty. I had removed none of Hana’s ne Cuddle’s things. Now they seemed to mock me. I walked over to the kitchen and looked through it. I had food, food that needed cooking. I sighed and started the search met. I sank down on the couch with my findings, a carrot, a banana and a bucket of ice cream. I tried to not feel like a fucking looser as I ate the strange combination, I knew I needed sleep, especially since I didn’t get more than an hour the night before. But I didn’t know how I would manage it. In the end, I collected the Mankets from the couch and took them to my bed. I put them on Hana’s side of the beil. It was nothing like having Hana with me. But they smelled like her and it was nice to not be alone in an empty bed.
Sonday morning I spent in my gym. My first thought was to the gems at the office. But i
then 1 would risk manning into Jason and get one of his lectures. So I spent hours on the treadmill and lifting weights. As I took a shower after, I made plans to pack Hana’s things in the afternoon. I got out of the shower and looked around. I grabbed my car keys and headed to the office, I could pack Hana’s things when I got home, or tomorrow, I swore as I saw Jason’s car in the garage and resorted to sneak into my man offer like a fucking thief. I was in a bad mood and I knew it. I reasoned I did everyone a huge favour by keeping to myself Work went about as well as it had the day before, hit at least now I had got through tan reports.
“Time to head home.” I looked up and saw Jason standing in the doorway
“Tis not five, I don’t have a bedtime,” t told him
*If you
you stop throwing tantrums like a five–year–old, people will stop confusing you with one. You know she wouldn’t want you to work yourself like this,” he said, I got a lump in my throat. He was right, Hana had always been on me not to work too long hours, that I needed time to relax and unwind. I didn’t mind when relaxing meant talking to her. Now, I had no idea what to do with myself except moping around, thinking about what if“. That was just too depressing. “Have you picked up a pencil since you broke up?” Jason asked me.
“No,” I confessed. My inspiration was gone.
“Don’t do this. Don’t undo all the good things Hana did. If you are still insisting on this mess, she deserves a better legacy than that.” I hated that he made sense.
“Richt.” I told him and shut off my laptop and got ready to head to my y apartment.
“Do you want to grab a drink or something to eat?” Jason asked.
“No, I don’t think today is a good day, I’m afraid that if I start drinking, I won’t stop,” I told him honestly. He nodded and put his hand on my shoulder as I walked up to him. When I got home, I took out my art supplies, the ones Hana had given me. I sat down in front of the large winslow and I looked through the drawing | had done and I got to the portrait of Hana where I had used pastels to try and illustrate how she always shined to me. I remembered Husa’s reaction when she saw the portrait. I felt something on my face and as I reached up and touched my cheek, I realised I was crying Fuck, I thought as I put the sketch hook to the side. 1 didn’t want to ruin my work by soaking it in my own tears.
Monday came and I didn’t know if I should go to the office or to court. Hana would soon be called to testify. If things hadn’t changed, I would have been in court to support her with my presence. Now I didn’t know if she would take comfort in seeing me there, or if I would cause her more pain. In the end, I decided to go. I had promised her I would be there for her, and I would keep that promise. I sat down in the usual place in court. I looked over to Mindy and saw she was playing the loving and tearful mother once again. Simon looked like he was trying to look remorseful, but failed. Maybe it was because I now knew my son, but I saw nothing but sogness on his face. I prayed the jury could see it to. The prosecution started where they had left off on Friday and the redirection of the lead detective on the case continued. He was a good, solid witness. The defence then tried to poke holes in the detective’s story. But he most likely was a pro at testifying, even when faced with jerks like my son’s defence attorney. The detective remained cool and collective. As the prosecution and the defence both were satisfied with the witness, the judge ordered that hunch break would be taken before the next witness. At least the hotdog cart outside the court house offered a proper meal. I was beginning to tie of my scavenge dinners that consisted of anything I could find in my kitchen that didn’t require any cooking. When we gathered back in court, the prosecutor called Hana to the witness stand. I watched as she was escorted into the courtroom. She was wearing a black pencil skirt and a white silk blouse. Her raven hair was neatly styled. She looked frail but beautiful. My protective instincts flared to life and it took everything I had to pemain seated. It was no longer my place to protect her. As she swore the oath and took her seat, she looked determined, and she refused to look at Simon.
“Good afternoon Miss Bishop,” the prosecutor said as he stood up.
“Good afternoon,” Hana replied.
“Could you please tell me your relationship with the accused, Mr Hunters.”
“I’m his ex–wife.”
“Could you please tell me if you see Mr Hunters in the room and, if so, point out something to identify him by “For the Ent time Hana looked at Simon. I expected her to give him a tentative look and then look away. But she floored me by giving him a steady look. There was no fear, no hesitation, only determination
“Yes, he is wearing a gaudy tie with purple patterns on a silver background,” she said calmly, making me chuckle quietly,
Chapter 00
“If it pleases the count, may the second reflect that the witness has identified the defendant,” the pu
prosecutor said, trying to hide has amusement,
“The trend will note the wedge said. Sinon looked like a thunderclosed, int the jury seemed time could see it wasn’t because she was intimidated by him. It was because she didn’t find him important enough to waste time on. Her expression criminded an
think it was funny, Hans hand turned away from Samar again. This ela vartion going into bank
