Until the Stars Fall From the Sky (18 page)

As I finish knotting my tie, I transfer my wallet to my suit pants, stopping to check for gas money. Justice Gardner’s card catches my attention. Well, he did say to call if I ever need anything. I suppose this would qualify. I carefully dial his number on my phone while mentally rehearsing his first name so that I don’t flub it. The minute I hear his deep voice answer, my vocal chords freeze for a second. I clear my throat and try again, “Good Evening, sir, um William, this is Jeff Whitaker, Kiera’s fiancé.”

“Ooh, Good on you boy! You move fast. I knew I saw something between you guys,” he congratulates.

“Well, your Honor, I haven’t had a chance to formally ask her Dad yet, so if we could just keep this between us for now, that would be great,” I ask as respectfully as possible.

“Understood son,” William replies quickly
. “However, once he sees how happy Kiera is with you, Denny’s going to be an easy sell. What can I do for you, young man? I’m glad you called. I’ve offered to help several folks over the years, you’d be surprised how few folks actually have the initiative to follow through. Your attitude is going to take you far in our field.”

“
Thank you so much, William.  I appreciate that you were willing to reach out to me.  Your faith in me is humbling.  Sir, I’m treading on delicate ethical lines here, so I’m trying to be very careful. Yet, at the same time, I need to take some proactive steps to protect Kiera,” I reply cautiously.

“I’ll let you know if you come close to something that would get you in trouble with the Oregon State Bar,” he replies,” I used to sit on the Board of Bar Examiners.”

“I appreciate it sir, but first let me tell you that she’s not in trouble. She’s just facing some unusual stresses at work and I’d be better equipped to help her if I had a paying position. However, by the time my lifeguarding commitment was fulfilled, all the paid positions were filled. I called to ask you if you are aware of any openings.”

“How time sensitive is this situation son?” William queries, concern evident in his voice.

I chuckle dryly as I respond honestly, “Well, your Honor — “
 

“I told you to call me William,” he ch
ides sternly. “Kiera means the world to me and that practically makes us family.”

I am flustered tha
t I forgot. Old habits die hard. I’m not used to this new personal relationship with someone that I’ve admired from afar. “Of course, sir” I respond, wanting to smack myself over my own stupidity, “William, the truth of the matter is that it is developing as we speak. In all honesty, it would have been helpful for me to have this job last week.”

“Life come up to bite you in the
butt, did it? Kiera certainly has had more than her share. Let me think on it for a minute and make some calls. I’ll get back to you in a few minutes if that’s agreeable.”

“Thank you si
— William. Your act of kindness might change more lives than you know.”

“Not a problem, son,” he says with a laugh
. “I believe you are a lot like me and like to face issues head on. You need to stay on your toes with your girl. Even after all of these years I still don’t know what’s coming with Isobel. It’s part of what makes life interesting. I’ll let you go now; I’ve got some calls to make.”

After the phone went dead in my hand, I stare at it for a minute unable to comprehend that I had just received girlfriend advice from a
Former Justice of the Oregon Supreme Court
as if he was a nosy relative at Christmas. When exactly did my life enter a parallel universe? I remember; it was the day I discovered my own personal Pippi Longstocking in a tie-dyed bikini and decided I had to know more about her. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.

As I head back to the bedroom, Kiera meets me in the hallway. She is trying to balance a thick accordion file on her lap as she leafs through the paper work. “French-Toast,-Soufflé-Eating Mushroom-Throwing-Butterflies!” she mutters in a tone that’s not even almost under her breath. She looks more like a lawyer than I do in her sharp navy suit and crisp white blouse.

I reach over and catch the file as it slides off of her lap as I ask, “Pip, take a deep breath. What’s going on?” I duck into the bathroom, grab her hairbrush, and find her tray of barrettes. I push her over to the kitchen table and drop everything there. I begin brushing her hair out and placing it in a simple chignon to match the clean lines of her suit.

When I finish, she looks at me, her mouth agape as she gently touches her hair. “Seriously, PC, how d
o you do that?” she compliments. “I had my hair like this for my prom and it took that poor lady an hour and a half to do it.”

I shrug. “I
don’t know,” I answer honestly. “It’s like tying shoes for me, I don’t even think about it. My hands just do it.” I just don’t see what the big deal is, I’ve been braiding hair forever; it’s not like it’s rocket science or anything, so I change the subject. “What has you so upset that you are using multiple cuss words, babe?”

“Oh, I can’t find the
stupid notarized copy of my passport. I know it’s in there because they used my foster care file as a training file in a class for the foster home study folks and I renewed my license then,” Kiera responds in a frustrated tone.

“Why don’t you go f
ind your shoes, Pip?” I suggest. “I’ll look for your missing paper work. After all, organizing files is a large part of what I do as a law clerk and I’m pretty efficient.”

“That sounds like an amazing idea,” Kiera responds looking calmer. “I’ll just go finish putting myself together.”

I place a gentle kiss on her temple. “I don’t know, Pip. You look pretty put together to me; I’m digging the Pippi Longstocking meets Ann Taylor look. It’s unexpectedly H-O-T,” I confess.

Kiera chortles with laughter as she says, “I’m sorry, I know you meant that as a complement. But, I’m still trying to get past the fact
that you know about Ann Taylor”

“Now, there’s no need to go casting aspersions on my higher than average fashion I.Q., my hair expertise and my dancing abilities, there was just an unusually high level of estrogen in my household and I picked all this stuff up through osmosis. You have to admit my knowledge base has been downright handy,” I tease. Though, the thought occurs to me that we are going to be bringing daughters into our household and we haven’t even officially talked about what the structure of that looks like yet. However, I don’t want to stress Kiera out any more than I need to right now. She has more immediate concerns.

As Kiera turns to leave the room, my cell phone rings. I stutter slightly as I answer it, “H-hello, t-this is Jeff.”

“Hello Jeff. This is William. You’re not driving are you? I have a thing about that, especially since Grace was paralyzed in an accident with some fool that was talking on his cell phone.”

“No, sir. I never do that. We haven’t taken off yet. We’re gathering paperwork.” I answer as steadily as I can.

“Paper work?” he demands, shock evident in his voice, “Are you planning to marry her today, son? Is she pregnant?”

“No, I wish it was that simple, William,” I answer candidly. “Make no mistake; I would marry her today in a heartbeat if it’s what she wants.”

“I think she’s right about that one. Denny would be fit-to-be tied if he missed his only child’s wedding,” he
responds with a chuckle. “Now, let me stop wasting your time and tell you why I really called. A friend of mine, Lawrence Fletcher, is heading up a statewide Juvenile Justice initiative for the new attorney general. Unfortunately, he lost two members of his team to an academic fraud scandal. The position isn’t going to make you rich by any stretch of the imagination as it only pays $12 an hour. It’s taskforce work. Most of it’s going to be some serious grunt work, but there may be some media appearances and testifying in front of the legislature. Does it sound like something you’d be interested in?”

I shake my head to clear it. Was this man really offering a shot at a dream job in a field I’m passionate about as casually as if he’d asked me if I’d like a side of fries with my burger? “Yes, sir. I’m more than interested. I’d say that job description was written with me in mind. How do I apply?” I ask, trying not to sound like a teenage girl at a rock concert.

Justice Gardner breaks out into a full guffaw as he replies, “Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough about it. Larry is expecting you to show up next Monday barring any complications. I’ve already cleared it with Carter. He likes you a lot and he’s sorry to lose you. Nevertheless, he thinks it’s a feather in his cap that I handpicked you for this assignment.”

For a moment, I
am completely incapable of forming any words because I am so shocked. ”Thank you so much. I don’t even know where to begin to thank y — “, I stammer as he brusquely interrupts me.

“Nonsense, son. Just pay it forward someday. By the way, I found out some information that might be helpful to you, when I was checking your references. You have been chosen by the O
regon State Bar to receive a $500.00 scholarship. It’s in the minutes of the Board of Governor’s Meeting, so it’s public record even though there hasn’t been a ceremony.

“Wow, you’re kidding!” I exclaim, suddenly feeling a bit faint.

“No, I’m not kidding,” he reassures me, “Good job, son. “I’ll text you Judge Fletcher’s information. I’m sure you have better things to do today than to chat all day with me. Good luck, Jeff.” The phone goes dead in my ear.

I put the phone in my pocket and begin sorting the papers in the file. As I collate Kiera’s tax return, I notice a form that looks out of place. Sure enough, it’s the missing copy of the passport. I quickly straighten the rest of the file and tuck it under my arm. I collect Kiera and load her into my truck. I look at my watch.
Not bad — out of the house in 37 minutes, even dressed in yuppie wear. Now, the hard part begins.

I put the truck in drive and it backfires so loudly that Kiera jumps. “Sorry ‘bout that,” I mumble. “I have some news,” I announce at the exact same time as Kiera says it. I tilt
my head in her direction and remark, “Ladies first.”

“My dad just got back from a run to Arizona,” she declares. ”He is going to meet us at the hearing.”

I feel like someone just kicked me in the gut. I’m not ready to meet her dad. I haven’t practiced any speeches or laid out the case as to why he should trust me with his precious daughter. I just learned the man’s first name today. I take a deep breath and count to ten; I slowly exhale as I reply, “Pip, that’s not the kind of news you just spring on a guy like me. I’m likely to stroke out.”

“PC, relax. It’s just my dad. He’s going to love you,” Kiera insists, grabbing my hand and interlacing her fingers.

“How can you possibly know that?” I demand, panic edging my voice. “Pip, I don’t even know what to say to him. I haven’t rehearsed anything.”

“
PC,” Kiera squeezes my hand for reassurance as she laughs lightly, her laughter sounding like wind chimes, “This is my dad we’re talking about. He is going to be impressed that you speak in full sentences and don’t pick your nose. However, what’s really going to win the day is that you are here standing by my side today and that you’re willing to have your life scrutinized right along with mine for those two girls.”

“About that
— ” I start to explain.

Comically, Kiera raises her hands to her ears and sticks her fingers in them like a five year old. “Stop!” she pleads. “I can’t handle one more piece of bad news.”

“Babe, I understand, I really do. You can safely unplug your ears now, because I only have good news and even more good news,” I state seriously, but I just can’t keep the twinkle out of my eyes.

“You’re sure?” she asks, the doubt clear in her voice.

“Yes, I’m sure.” I confirm with a nod, “I wouldn’t mess with your head on a day like today. In the past hour, my employment picture has dramatically improved thanks to your friend William. I don’t know my hours or anything, but I know it has to be less than 20 under the American Bar Association guidelines. I’ll be making $12.00 an hour working as a Paralegal Research Assistant on a Juvenile Justice Task Force with the Attorney General’s office. It’s in exactly the field where I want to work. Although, I’m not sure how he knew that about me, it’s kind of spooky.”

“You don’t remember?” Kiera asks, a sly grin on her face, “You told him,” a laugh escapes despite her best effort to contain it.

“No way!” I exclaim, “When did I do that? I would have been too nervous. I am so shy and tongue-tied that I can barely string two words together whenever I talk to him.”

“Remember the icebreaker we played at the table about what we wanted to be when we grew up?” Kiera reminds me, “Well, you were so focused on determining whether I was telling the truth about wanting to be a professional belly dancer that you forgot your shyness and reserve and actually opened up to William. You two had quite a discussion about children’s rights over rubberized banquet chicken.”

Vague clips of the conversation play in my head. Horror seeps through my veins as I realize that I had a job interview and I wasn’t even aware of it. “Oh my God, Kiera, what if I had blown him off, like Kyle Best — ” I voice my fears aloud.

“But you didn’t,” Kiera argues.
”You were charming and respectful. You showed your legal knowledge and demonstrated that you have a strong moral compass without seeming pious or demeaning. You impressed William enough that he gave you his home number, which is something he almost never does. Not only that, you had the guts to follow through and make that call. You are extraordinary. William clearly recognized that and rewarded it. I’m so proud of you, Jeff. What’s the other news?”