Post by lambertoise on May 14, 2003 6:04:14 GMT -5
Title : In your care
Author : Lambertoise
Context : The kids are one of the most important aspect of The Guardian. I always want to know what will happen to them. The action starts in January 2004. Assume The letter was never sent. All the characters are taken from The Guardian.
Again, all my thanks to Sarah.
********************************************************************
LSP
-“Nick!”<br>
Nick raised his eyes and saw Laurie Solt walking briskly to his office, looking a little worried.
-“Hi, Laurie. What can I do for you?”<br>
-“Wendy. Wendy Newburg. There will be a hearing later today.”<br>
-“Why?”<br>
-“She wants an abortion and her parents don’t want her to…”
-“What?”<br>
-“Yes, she is 3 months pregnant and…”
-“Nobody told me. Where is she?”<br>
-“She is with a social worker, downtown. She escaped the psychiatry ward a few days ago. But the police found her last night.”<br>
-“I can’t believe…”
-“You better believe it. You have to be in court at 2 o’clock.”
It was 8 o’clock. LSP’s offices were still relatively quiet at this time, but Alvin and James were already in. Nick took the papers he has been working on for the last hour and left the office in a hurry. He had to stop by his firm’s office before going to a meeting with a difficult client who wanted to take over a local company. Then he had to wrap up some cases before going to the courthouse at 2 o’clock.
On his way, he couldn’t stop thinking about Wendy. When he had called the help line, the year before, he was convinced that it was the only thing to do. Now, he wasn’t sure anymore: the mother was back with her husband and Wendy was kept in a psychiatric war. The angry words Wendy threw him still resonated to his ears: "My Dad having sex with me was 10 times better than being institutionalized." And now, this.
The court house
Ten minutes before the court hearing, Nick met Wendy at the door.
-“So, Mr. Fallin, always my Guardian angel! Too bad you’re not there when I really need you,” Wendy told him, with a smirk.
-“Come here,” Nick opened the door of a private room. “Is it really what you want?”<br>
-“What? The abortion? Of course.”<br>
-“Who is the father?”<br> -“It could be a nurse, a patient or a visitor. Don’t look so shocked, Mr. Fallin, it’s nothing. Actually, they paid me a good price!”<br>
Nick stared, obviously shocked. “How could it go so wrong?” he asked himself.
-“You don’t believe me? What do you care, anyway? Are we done here?”<br>
-“No, wait a minute. You’re telling me this occurred while you were at the hospital?”<br>
-“Yes. I’m not the only one. Staff is rare and they watch over those who need more surveillance. Me? It was just bad luck I was brought there, wasn’t it, Mr. my lawyer? You can do that anywhere.” She paused, giving him a falsely seductive look. “Would you like to try? I wouldn’t mind.” she said, looking at him, eyes filled with… was it contempt? Hatred?
Nick went out and got to the courtroom, followed by Wendy. Have I made the wrong decision? he thought.
Wendy’s parents were both there. Their lawyer told the judge that their religious beliefs forbade abortion.
-“And what are these religious beliefs that permitted you to sexually abuse your daughters, Mr. Newburg?” Nick asked, looking at his papers.
-“Mr. Fallin,” the judge scolded.
-“Today,” Nick continued, “we are not here to listen to Mr. and Mrs. Newberg’s religion; we are here to decide what’s best for Wendy. She wants an abortion. And she has that right. Furthermore, I also want to make clear that Wendy was sexually abused while under the care of the state and that she should be moved away.”
-“Are the police investigating the situation?” the judge asked, genuinely concerned about the situation. There were other children placed in the same ward, and nobody, neither the judge or the social services or the hospital, wanted the subject unresolved.
-“Yes, they are,” Nick answered.
In less than 15 minutes, the judge made her decision: Wendy would have her abortion in the state hospital, as soon as possible. Social services were ordered to find her a place quickly. In the mean time, she would stay at the hospital.
LSP
-“It’s such a waste of time,” Nick told Laurie the day after the hearing.
- “What?” Laurie asked, meeting with him to plan for Wendy’s transfer.
-“These.” Nick said showing all the files on his desk. “What good did we do to her?” he added, going back to Wendy.
- “Sometimes it works, sometimes, it doesn’t. But it’s not…”
-“I’m a corporate lawyer, for God’s sake. I am not supposed to do this crap.” Nick said, angrily.
Laurie was looking at him, saying nothing, listening.
- “Don’t you think so?” Nick continued, “all these kids, they’ll be back next year, then their children will be knocking at this same door. We represent them but, what do we really accomplish?”<br>
-“What is the difference between what you do here and what you do at your firm,” Laurie asked him seriously.
-“Money. I make money.”<br>
-“Maybe, but does that make you happier?”<br>
Angry, he took his things and, before leaving, said:
-“You know it is useless, Laurie, but you won’t admit it … because it would be as saying your life is a failure.” With these words, he stormed out.
The following days, Nick thought about his conversation with Laurie. His insults were certainly uncalled for. He knew that he had wrongfully unleashed his frustration on her. And if someone’s life was a failure, it was certainly not hers…
He really liked that woman. Leslie, a girl for whom he has been appointed foster parent until she died, was the first one to see the connection between Laurie and Nick. And she told Nick at the time, pleasing him unbelievably. It had been a long time since anybody said something good about him. And Laurie has understood how deeply hurt he was with Leslie’s death. Since that morning at the hospital, where she consoled him, Nick considered Laurie with affection. She was sensitive, understanding, and she seemed to like him despite his flaws. He had to make some amends. Nick owed that to her, he owed it to himself.
Two days later in the courthouse
Nick was not very used to make amends. So, as soon as he saw Laurie, he went to her, not wanting to wait longer than necessary.
-“Laurie…?”<br> -“Yes, Nick?”<br> -“May I talk to you?”<br>
She nodded.
-“Laurie…I… I shouldn’t have... ”<br>
-“Nick,” she said, patting his arm, “you don’t need to apologize”<br>
-“Oh yes, I do.”<br>
-“I understand how you feel. But I also understand that if you are angry, this is because these children are important to you, they’re not just numbers, not just cases. You care for them and you’d like to do more.”<br>
-“Don’t you?”<br>
-“Sure, I do, that’s my hope everyday I go to work,” Laurie explained with that tone which always had a soothing effect on Nick. “But we deal with real life here Nick, and nothing is simple.” She paused and looked at him in the eyes. “That’s the thing I like the most about you, you arrogant corporate lawyer,” she added with a smile, “you really care about these children and you always do your best for them.”<br>
-“But we fail them, Laurie.”<br>
-“We might fail them, too often probably, but we must keep trying, because if we don’t, these children will have nothing. Nobody and nothing.”<br>
Wendy was walking to them escorted by a young social worker.
-“Nick, are you coming? It’s time for my hearing,” Wendy said dryly.
-“Yes.” He turned to Laurie and asked: “Is it OK with the Allegheny County Shelter?”<br>
-“Yes,” Laurie answered. “I finally convinced the authorities, given the situation, that they had a huge responsibility with Wendy and that I wouldn’t hesitate to go to the newspapers if they didn’t give her a place right away.”<br>
- “Good. Thanks, Laurie.”<br>
- “Nick”, she added before he left, “I’d like to talk to you soon. When could it be?”<br>
-I don’t know. Call me.”<br>
Laurie was preoccupied by the fact that the 1500 hours were almost done and that LSP would loose Nick. And she was already missing him. But she also was convinced that these kids were good for Nick, they were maybe his only link to his own emotions, especially since LuLu was gone. She was wondering how she could persuade him to give some hours, from time to time, to children in her care. It didn’t have to be through LSP, though, just pro bono work. She knew there was no lost love between Alvin and Nick. The situation was even worse since LuLu left, with a little help from Alvin, Nick suspected.
How could she ask him Nick to do more? Back to her house that night, Laurie got an idea and decided to make a call. She liked the guy and she knew he would never ask for help, so she decided she would give him the opportunity of a second chance.
(to be continued)
Author : Lambertoise
Context : The kids are one of the most important aspect of The Guardian. I always want to know what will happen to them. The action starts in January 2004. Assume The letter was never sent. All the characters are taken from The Guardian.
Again, all my thanks to Sarah.
********************************************************************
LSP
-“Nick!”<br>
Nick raised his eyes and saw Laurie Solt walking briskly to his office, looking a little worried.
-“Hi, Laurie. What can I do for you?”<br>
-“Wendy. Wendy Newburg. There will be a hearing later today.”<br>
-“Why?”<br>
-“She wants an abortion and her parents don’t want her to…”
-“What?”<br>
-“Yes, she is 3 months pregnant and…”
-“Nobody told me. Where is she?”<br>
-“She is with a social worker, downtown. She escaped the psychiatry ward a few days ago. But the police found her last night.”<br>
-“I can’t believe…”
-“You better believe it. You have to be in court at 2 o’clock.”
It was 8 o’clock. LSP’s offices were still relatively quiet at this time, but Alvin and James were already in. Nick took the papers he has been working on for the last hour and left the office in a hurry. He had to stop by his firm’s office before going to a meeting with a difficult client who wanted to take over a local company. Then he had to wrap up some cases before going to the courthouse at 2 o’clock.
On his way, he couldn’t stop thinking about Wendy. When he had called the help line, the year before, he was convinced that it was the only thing to do. Now, he wasn’t sure anymore: the mother was back with her husband and Wendy was kept in a psychiatric war. The angry words Wendy threw him still resonated to his ears: "My Dad having sex with me was 10 times better than being institutionalized." And now, this.
The court house
Ten minutes before the court hearing, Nick met Wendy at the door.
-“So, Mr. Fallin, always my Guardian angel! Too bad you’re not there when I really need you,” Wendy told him, with a smirk.
-“Come here,” Nick opened the door of a private room. “Is it really what you want?”<br>
-“What? The abortion? Of course.”<br>
-“Who is the father?”<br> -“It could be a nurse, a patient or a visitor. Don’t look so shocked, Mr. Fallin, it’s nothing. Actually, they paid me a good price!”<br>
Nick stared, obviously shocked. “How could it go so wrong?” he asked himself.
-“You don’t believe me? What do you care, anyway? Are we done here?”<br>
-“No, wait a minute. You’re telling me this occurred while you were at the hospital?”<br>
-“Yes. I’m not the only one. Staff is rare and they watch over those who need more surveillance. Me? It was just bad luck I was brought there, wasn’t it, Mr. my lawyer? You can do that anywhere.” She paused, giving him a falsely seductive look. “Would you like to try? I wouldn’t mind.” she said, looking at him, eyes filled with… was it contempt? Hatred?
Nick went out and got to the courtroom, followed by Wendy. Have I made the wrong decision? he thought.
Wendy’s parents were both there. Their lawyer told the judge that their religious beliefs forbade abortion.
-“And what are these religious beliefs that permitted you to sexually abuse your daughters, Mr. Newburg?” Nick asked, looking at his papers.
-“Mr. Fallin,” the judge scolded.
-“Today,” Nick continued, “we are not here to listen to Mr. and Mrs. Newberg’s religion; we are here to decide what’s best for Wendy. She wants an abortion. And she has that right. Furthermore, I also want to make clear that Wendy was sexually abused while under the care of the state and that she should be moved away.”
-“Are the police investigating the situation?” the judge asked, genuinely concerned about the situation. There were other children placed in the same ward, and nobody, neither the judge or the social services or the hospital, wanted the subject unresolved.
-“Yes, they are,” Nick answered.
In less than 15 minutes, the judge made her decision: Wendy would have her abortion in the state hospital, as soon as possible. Social services were ordered to find her a place quickly. In the mean time, she would stay at the hospital.
LSP
-“It’s such a waste of time,” Nick told Laurie the day after the hearing.
- “What?” Laurie asked, meeting with him to plan for Wendy’s transfer.
-“These.” Nick said showing all the files on his desk. “What good did we do to her?” he added, going back to Wendy.
- “Sometimes it works, sometimes, it doesn’t. But it’s not…”
-“I’m a corporate lawyer, for God’s sake. I am not supposed to do this crap.” Nick said, angrily.
Laurie was looking at him, saying nothing, listening.
- “Don’t you think so?” Nick continued, “all these kids, they’ll be back next year, then their children will be knocking at this same door. We represent them but, what do we really accomplish?”<br>
-“What is the difference between what you do here and what you do at your firm,” Laurie asked him seriously.
-“Money. I make money.”<br>
-“Maybe, but does that make you happier?”<br>
Angry, he took his things and, before leaving, said:
-“You know it is useless, Laurie, but you won’t admit it … because it would be as saying your life is a failure.” With these words, he stormed out.
The following days, Nick thought about his conversation with Laurie. His insults were certainly uncalled for. He knew that he had wrongfully unleashed his frustration on her. And if someone’s life was a failure, it was certainly not hers…
He really liked that woman. Leslie, a girl for whom he has been appointed foster parent until she died, was the first one to see the connection between Laurie and Nick. And she told Nick at the time, pleasing him unbelievably. It had been a long time since anybody said something good about him. And Laurie has understood how deeply hurt he was with Leslie’s death. Since that morning at the hospital, where she consoled him, Nick considered Laurie with affection. She was sensitive, understanding, and she seemed to like him despite his flaws. He had to make some amends. Nick owed that to her, he owed it to himself.
Two days later in the courthouse
Nick was not very used to make amends. So, as soon as he saw Laurie, he went to her, not wanting to wait longer than necessary.
-“Laurie…?”<br> -“Yes, Nick?”<br> -“May I talk to you?”<br>
She nodded.
-“Laurie…I… I shouldn’t have... ”<br>
-“Nick,” she said, patting his arm, “you don’t need to apologize”<br>
-“Oh yes, I do.”<br>
-“I understand how you feel. But I also understand that if you are angry, this is because these children are important to you, they’re not just numbers, not just cases. You care for them and you’d like to do more.”<br>
-“Don’t you?”<br>
-“Sure, I do, that’s my hope everyday I go to work,” Laurie explained with that tone which always had a soothing effect on Nick. “But we deal with real life here Nick, and nothing is simple.” She paused and looked at him in the eyes. “That’s the thing I like the most about you, you arrogant corporate lawyer,” she added with a smile, “you really care about these children and you always do your best for them.”<br>
-“But we fail them, Laurie.”<br>
-“We might fail them, too often probably, but we must keep trying, because if we don’t, these children will have nothing. Nobody and nothing.”<br>
Wendy was walking to them escorted by a young social worker.
-“Nick, are you coming? It’s time for my hearing,” Wendy said dryly.
-“Yes.” He turned to Laurie and asked: “Is it OK with the Allegheny County Shelter?”<br>
-“Yes,” Laurie answered. “I finally convinced the authorities, given the situation, that they had a huge responsibility with Wendy and that I wouldn’t hesitate to go to the newspapers if they didn’t give her a place right away.”<br>
- “Good. Thanks, Laurie.”<br>
- “Nick”, she added before he left, “I’d like to talk to you soon. When could it be?”<br>
-I don’t know. Call me.”<br>
Laurie was preoccupied by the fact that the 1500 hours were almost done and that LSP would loose Nick. And she was already missing him. But she also was convinced that these kids were good for Nick, they were maybe his only link to his own emotions, especially since LuLu was gone. She was wondering how she could persuade him to give some hours, from time to time, to children in her care. It didn’t have to be through LSP, though, just pro bono work. She knew there was no lost love between Alvin and Nick. The situation was even worse since LuLu left, with a little help from Alvin, Nick suspected.
How could she ask him Nick to do more? Back to her house that night, Laurie got an idea and decided to make a call. She liked the guy and she knew he would never ask for help, so she decided she would give him the opportunity of a second chance.
(to be continued)
....and, no, I dont feel ANY BETTER!......please, mooooooore! ;D
that Lulu does love Nick; today I had the feeling I couldnt find the right words to stand for her in the boards....but now that I´ve read this new post....:bouncing::bouncing::bouncing:......I´m hopefully waiting for the third season!......................:littleangel: