These Foolish Things (15 page)

“Hmm,” Corey thought about it for a moment, “One more thing
and then, yes, I can do the peace on Earth, goodwill towards men jazz. Girls,
have I got the dirt for you.” Millie and Liz leaned in for the report. John
gave an exasperated shrug and went back to the bar for a refill.

Liz whispered to Millie, “You know, we should be ashamed of
ourselves for gossiping like this. It’s unkind and un-Christmas and nosy.”

Millie pretended to sigh, “Yeah, but it’s a helluva lot of
fun. Make a note in your calendar to be ashamed later. Spill it, Corey.”

He looked around, “Well, my sources – and they are of the
highest reliability – tell me that our girlfriend, the SQ, hasn’t been anywhere
near Liz’s man…”

“He’s not my man, Corey,” Liz protested.

Corey ignored her and continued, “since the softball game
and she is PISSED. Seems he’s cut off her access to his credit, his house,
everything. And she blames Liz.”

Millie and Liz regarded each other with raised eyebrows. “I
don’t know why she’d blame me,” said Liz. “He’s never made a pass at me.”

“Sure about that, Liz?” asked Millie. “Maybe you just don’t
recognize them.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Liz saw Ty, by himself, step
up to the bar and exchange small talk with Judge McCafferty. Both men were
smiling and seemed to be enjoying the conversation. Apparently, unlike Dan, Ty
didn’t hold grudges.

Liz felt a tap on her arm. She turned to find Joey and Jenna
DiNardo, Rocco Metucci with his girl and several other friends from the firm.
Liz forgot about Ty as she greeted people, chatted and laughed.

Feeling another tap on her arm, Liz turned to find herself
face to face with Judge McCafferty. He had another older man with him whom Liz
recognized as a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.

“Your Honors, this is a pleasant surprise. Good evening,
Judge McCafferty,” Liz greeted him, “and Justice Friedman, I believe.” She
shook hands with both men.

McCafferty held onto her hand and addressed Justice
Friedman, “Bob, this is the little girl I’ve been telling you about. First, she
took down Hadley on the ball field. Then she out-argues him in my courtroom and
I find out she’s the one who’s been doing that idiot Dennis’ writing. The
kicker was when she let me have it for not hiring her.” McCafferty sounded like
a proud parent.

Justice Friedman looked at Liz. “You’ve been doing Dan
Dennis’ writing for him?” Liz just nodded. “Shoulda known. He spends more time
on the golf course than in the courtroom. You do good work, young lady.”

“Thank you, Sir, I think,” said Liz.

Justice Friedman grinned. “Next time I have an opening for a
clerk, I want you. You’d make me look awfully good.”

McCafferty put his arm around Liz’s shoulder. “With all due
respect, Mr. Justice Friedman, buzz off. I saw her first.” With that, Friedman
excused himself and McCafferty turned his undivided attention to Liz.

“Well, my dear, I see the eye healed up nicely and I didn’t
throw Hadley’s butt in jail. Not bad for a bully, eh, Lass?” McCafferty looked
pleased with himself.

“With all due respect, Your Honor, you are outrageous and
I’ll probably deeply regret giving you hell,” said Liz shaking her head and
laughing. “Can I get you another drink, Judge?”

“No, thank you. I just got myself a ginger ale and I’m all
set. As for regretting giving me hell, maybe, maybe not: time will tell,” said
McCafferty.

“Oh, come on, Judge, Ty and I are on friendly terms, but I
don’t think there’s anything more to it than that nor will there be.” Liz
succeeded in keeping the disappointment out of her voice.

McCafferty studied her face with a shrewd, knowing
expression and changed the subject.

“Listen, my dear, I know you probably don’t want to talk
shop right now…”

Liz smiled, “I’m probably the only one here who isn’t trying
to cut some sort of deal tonight, so please, go ahead. I don’t want to feel
left out.”

McCafferty laid a hand on her shoulder, “How would you like
that clerkship with me? I’ve got an opening coming up in the beginning of
January and I want you to have it.”

Liz was astonished. “You’re kidding. Don’t you have to
conduct interviews or something like that?”

McCafferty waved his hand, “I’m a fucking loon, remember? I
do as I damn well please and I want to have you on my team. Listen, you work
with me for a year or two until I retire and I guarantee you can write your own
ticket. I know, I know, most lawyers look at this as entry-level and it is.
But, you’re going nowhere with Dennis, he’s not paying you anywhere near what
he should – I know, I checked and he’s exploiting you. I’d be exploiting you,
too, but at much better pay, you’d be more visible as my clerk and actually
laying the foundation for a good career instead of a dead-end job covering
Danny Boy’s hairy white ass for a wage that’s downright insulting. What do you
say?”

Liz blinked. “I’d need to think about it. Judge, to be
honest, I’m really not all that fond of practicing law.”

McCafferty was not dissuaded. “How about teaching? Think you
could train the up-and-comers to do it right? You’d still be in the catbird
seat if you come with me.” He patted her shoulder. “Think about it, Lass. You’d
get to do the parts of the law you enjoy, leave the dirty work to me and you’d
have fun on the job. One more thing,” he pointed upwards. Liz followed the line
of his finger and saw the mistletoe. McCafferty gave her a quick peck on the
cheek. He leaned back, “You look lovely tonight, Elizabeth. I hope that man’s
got the eyes to see it.” And he left.

Liz stood still for a moment and absorbed what had just
happened. Instead of the door-to-door begging she had done to secure the crappy
position she had, someone in a position of power and influence had just offered
Liz a golden opportunity. The thought crossed her mind that maybe she ought to
buy a lottery ticket.

Liz made her way back towards the bandstand only to be
intercepted by excited and agitated committee members.

“Liz,” Larry began, “we’ve got a problem.” Liz felt cold
dread clutch her stomach.

“What kind of problem? Is the auctioneer here?”

“Yeah,” said Jack, “all set, warmed up and ready to go. It’s
the emcees.”

“What about the emcees? Didn’t they make it?” Liz asked
warily.

Larry had been upset before, but now, “They’re here, all
right, but they’re puking their guts out in the men’s room.”

“Bad sushi,” Jack added.

Liz closed her eyes. “Oh, God. Where are we gonna get
someone else? The auction’s supposed to start in five minutes. One of you
guys’ll have to do it.”

Larry turned grayish-white, “Liz, you’re joking. Just the
idea has me ready to go into the men’s room and join the hurling.” Liz looked
at Jack, who shook his head. “No way, Liz, I’m not good at thinking on my feet.”

“Jack, you’re a trial attorney and you can’t think on your

feet? How do your clients feel about that?” She was amazed
at the cowardice. Nevertheless, Jack was adamant. “I’ll stutter. You do it, Liz.”

Liz was even more amazed. “Me? I wasn’t planning on
attending until a few weeks ago.” The cold dread got colder. “No, no, a
thousand times no.”

“You can do it,” said a familiar deep voice behind her.

Liz spun at hearing Ty, startled. “What?”

He smiled. “I said, ‘you can do it.’ Hell,” he sipped from
the glass in his hand. “You just smile and flash those baby blues of yours and
all those hard hearted shysters will be eating out of your hand.”

“Not after they watch me throw up on stage,” Liz retorted.
She shook her head. “I can’t. I don’t want to. Please, find someone else and
leave me alone.”

She started to turn back when he spoke again.

“I’ll go up there with you.”

“What?”

Ty repeated his offer with Jack and Larry adding their
encouragement. “C’mon, Liz. You can do this.” “Look, we really need you right
now.” “Seriously, Liz, you’ve gotta get up there.”

It took a few minutes, but they wore her down and Liz
finally agreed to go onstage with Ty.

She looked at Ty as he downed the last of his drink and
handed off the glass. “You give me your hand and we’ll do this thing together.
Okay? Trust me.” He took her arm. She felt the charge from the touch of his
skin to hers, so powerful her knees almost buckled.

Liz gulped and nodded. “I guess so.”

“Right.” And he led her onto the stage.

Ty laughed and Liz relaxed somewhat. Maybe this wouldn’t be
so bad after all.

They met with the auctioneer and reviewed the procedures for
conducting the auction. The guests of the Ball began to move from the various
corners of the room to the area in front of the bandstand. While discussing
logistics with the auctioneer, Liz watched the throng out of the corner of her
eye. It looked like the entire population of Boston was in the room. Larry
handed Liz a packet of cards with lot numbers and descriptions of offered
items. As she glanced through them, Larry whispered, “Thanks for doing this,
Liz. You’ll be fine.” Liz fought the wave of panic that hit her.

She paused in her reading just long enough to give him a
dirty look to go with, “Payback is a bitch, Larry. How are the AMbeciles?” She
held out faint hope that they’d recovered.

He shook his head, “Still in the men’s room and still sick
as hell.”

Ty put his arm around Liz and gave her a squeeze. “We don’t
need them,” he said, “We can handle this, right, Counselor?” Liz didn’t even
look at him as she said, “From your mouth to God’s ear, Counselor.”

Since Liz wasn’t looking at Ty, she felt instead of saw him
brush his lips against her cheek and put his mouth near her ear to whisper,
“Lighten up, Elizabeth. You’re not facing a firing squad and I know you can do
this. If you lose your nerve you lose the game, remember?” He kissed her cheek,
softly and warmly, and said aloud, “For good luck. Ready?”

Liz had felt the first light kiss all the way to the soles
of her feet. The second kiss had made itself felt in her stomach and heart. The
arm around her shoulders was just a warm and friendly gesture, Liz told
herself. She was fighting an urge to turn and wrap her arms around Ty and
return his kiss.

“Okay, it’s time,” from the auctioneer.

Microphones were handed to Liz and Ty and they were on. Liz
stepped forward and smiled at the faceless crowd. “Good evening and welcome to
the 5th annual Barrister’s Ball and Auction.” This brought applause from the
crowd and she was able to relax slightly.

“For those of you who were expecting the AMbeciles, we’re
sorry but they’re under the weather…”

Ty jumped in, “…and probably in need of an attorney. Is
there a personal injury lawyer in the house?” This got laughs. He continued,
“For those of you who don’t know us, I’m Tyrone Hadley of Brooks, Washburn,
Hadley and Dunn and my lovely colleague here,” There was thunderous applause,
especially from the women present. He gestured to Liz, “Is Elizabeth Gardner of
Lovell, Hoffman and Dennis.” This got even more applause. Liz picked up the
patter, inspired. She turned to Ty.

“You know, Counselor,” she said, “This is where they’ve been
holding the bar exam for the past few Julys.”

“That’s true,” Ty replied. He looked at her curiously,
knowing she had a point, but unsure of what it was.

“Well, I noticed some folks out there pointing out where
they’d sat to take the exam,” Liz continued, “Some of them were taking their
friends to more than one spot, saying ‘Okay, I was here the first time and the
second time…’” she imitated someone giving a tour of spots on the floor. The
audience laughed. “I noticed one guy, however, who almost covered the entire
floor, but, you made it finally, didn’t you?” She looked up and pretended to
peer into the crowd for one particular face. Surprisingly, one man yelled back,
“You’re damned skippy! Five times and I made it!” This was met with more
laughter and applause for the determined lawyer. Ty was chuckling beside her.
Liz turned to him and he picked up the cue, reading from a card.

“The proceeds from tonight’s sale will be going to the Bay
State Breast Cancer Foundation. One in eight women will be diagnosed with this
disease and the rate is increasing. Please bid high and bid often.” The
applause was louder. Liz exhaled slowly. This wasn’t going to be so bad, after
all. Then she heard the shouts.

“Hey, if this is for breast cancer, we want to see boobs!
Show us your boobs!” came the drunken voices from the back of the crowd. Liz
recognized one of them as Jimmy, the young lawyer from Ty’s office. Ty started
to say something but Liz cut him off.

“You want to see boobs, I’ll get you boys a mirror,” she
retorted. This got appreciative laughter, applause and whistles from the rest
of the crowd. The hecklers fell silent but Liz heard “Bitch” come from the back
of the room. It was a female voice.

“Atta Girl. Don’t mind Jimmy, he’s loaded.” Ty said in her
ear. She felt him inhale deeply. She also smelled the Scotch on his breath.
“You’re wearing that great perfume again.” His nearness was overpowering.

“Okay, Lot #1,” Liz read from her card, voice shaking,
“Donated by Cetaceans Unlimited of Gloucester, is a whale watch for four out of
historic Gloucester Harbor. Let the stars of Stellwaggen Bank put on a show for
you,” Liz looked up from the card, “Bid high enough and they’ll throw in the
Dramamine.” More laughter. And the auction was underway.

For the next two hours, Liz and Ty introduced items for
sale, usually with some quip or joke to go with the item. Judge McCafferty, who
had positioned himself near the foot of the stage, added to his donation at the
last minute. He had originally given a trip for four, joining him in his box
seats, for a Boston Red Sox home game against the New York Yankees. When Liz
was announcing the package, McCafferty motioned Ty over and handed him an
envelope. Ty grinned as he read what it contained.