Her Name Was Annie by Beth Rinyu (the little red hen read aloud txt) 📕

we were finally settling down, and I had time to collect my thoughts, I was nervous for Francesca and the bold move she was going to make. “So, Jennifer and Dana had this crazy idea,” Francesca blurted out.

“What’s that?”

“Dana works with this really nice guy who’s getting transferred to the New York office in a few months. He’s divorced, around your age, a lawyer, and very nice looking.”

“Okay…” I still wasn’t following.

“They thought maybe while you were out here, you’d want to go out for a drink with him. If you guys hit it off, he’d be living not too far from you once he moves, and if you don’t, then no harm done.” She shrugged.

“A lawyer?” I crinkled my nose. “I think I’m done with any man whose profession has anything to do with the law.”

“He’s very nice.” Francesca pleaded her case.

“You’ve met him?”

“I have.” She nodded and paused. “In fact, he’s the lawyer we’ll be meeting with tomorrow. The one who has the media contact.”

“Oh, great. So I guess I’ll get to test the water before I agree to anything.”

“Well…” Francesca started. “Dana…and I.” She guiltily placed her hand on her chest. “Kind of told him about you.”

“Oh, boy.” Now my nerves were churning for myself as well.

“I’m sorry. I just thought…what could it hurt?”

“Yeah. What could it hurt?” I smiled and sighed, playing along.

_______________

Francesca and I sat in the office of Ken Schroder, the lawyer Dana did paralegal work for—and the lawyer who was at the center of Dana and Francesca’s matchmaking quest. I had to give them credit, he was definitely a nice-looking guy. Tall, dark hair with some gray mixed in, hazelnut eyes, and donning a suit that looked like it was designed just for him. I tried to maintain a professional stance as I sat with Francesca while he advised her on what questions to answer and which ones to avoid. I could sense she was getting nervous as the interview drew closer and she tried to remember what to say and what not to say.

“Okay, I think I got this,” she announced, taking a deep, cleansing breath.

“You sure you’re ready?” Ken asked.

Francesca nodded.

“Okay. Let me see if they’re good to go.” Ken got up from his desk and exited the office. I scanned photographs on the credenza behind his desk, trying to get a glimpse into his world, but the only thing I could garner from them was he liked to travel to tropical places, and he had a black lab. My attention focused back to what would be taking place in the next few moments in the conference room of the law firm. I had to admit, even I felt my stomach churning upon seeing the camera people setting up when we had walked past earlier. I couldn’t imagine how Francesca was feeling.

“Are you sure you want to do this? You can still back out. We can walk out of here if you don’t feel comfortable with this.” I wanted her to know I would respect whatever choice she decided to make, and there was no pressure for her to move forward.

“No.” She shook her head. “I’ve come this far. I let that bastard get away with it for too many years. I’m doing this for me. I’m doing it for Tommy. I’m doing it for the poor girl who took her own life because of his actions—and most of all, I’m doing it for my daughters and my granddaughter. I want to empower each of you to be able to do the same thing if something like this were to happen, not bury your head in the sand like I did for so long.”

I reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “You were right. He is rather nice looking.” I grinned. She let out a loud chuckle, and I was happy to be able to momentarily take her mind off what was about to come. “I’ll be standing right behind the cameraman and if it gets to be too much, give me a sign, and I’ll have them stop it right away.”

She nodded, seeming deep in thought. “How about if I wiggle my nose?”

“Wiggle your nose? Is that even possible?” I found myself making some ridiculous contorted facial expression trying to find out.

“Guess you didn’t inherit the gene.” Francesca smiled. She closed her mouth, stared straight ahead, then actually wiggled her nose.

“Wow! That takes some talent.” We both busted out with laughter. The lighthearted moment was short-lived when Ken appeared, resting his head on the doorframe of his office.

“Ready?” he asked.

“Sure, why not.” Francesca raised an eyebrow and we both stood up, following behind Ken like two scared puppy dogs. When we entered the room, Francesca was immediately ushered off by a woman who was running around with a clipboard and barking out orders. She directed her to a seat and another woman rushed over with what appeared to be makeup. She was actually powdering her nose.

“I think we’re safe sitting here.” Ken pointed to a set of chairs away from the action. I took a seat, and he sat down next to me.

“So how long is this interview going to last?” I asked.

“Well, they want to run a segment of it on their nightly news channel tonight, then I think the full interview will be available online.”

“So the shitstorm starts tonight?”

“Hey…have a little confidence.” He nudged my arm and grinned. I smiled back, and he cleared his throat. “I don’t suppose you’d want to go out for a drink later to celebrate.”

“To celebrate? You have a lot of confidence, don’t you?” I laughed.

“Okay, so I don’t come across as your typical arrogant lawyer…which I am not, by the way. Let’s say to hopefully celebrate, but possibly to commiserate.”

I could tell already he was the nice guy Francesca made him out to be. He had the personality of someone I could see myself laughing with, and after this interview, I may be needing just that.

“All right.” I shrugged.

“Great.” He