My lip twitched and I finally looked up at them. Their eyes starring back at me with an intense sympathy that I didn’t want. I shook myself a little, trying to bring myself back to the moment at hand.

“Okay,” Duke said as he sat back and took a couple notes.

I sat back, feeling defeated for no real reason.

“Now,” Duke looked back up, “Tell me... about your... brother.”

I felt my eyes dart towards Elliot who seemed deep in thought. His thumbnail had found it’s way to his mouth, which didn’t help me. “Wh-what do you mean?” I stuttered out.

Duke pursed his lips. A sure sign that I wasn’t going to like what was about to come out of his mouth. “The other side. They are gonna pin you for your past with Mikey. They are gonna try to use it to their advantage. Proof that their services are necessary.”

“No,” I said, my hands fumbling around for something to do. They found their way to the cuff of my jacket. Adjust it unnecessarily. “I-I won’t answer. I won’t comment.”

Duke sighed. “That’s not gonna help. You’re gonna have to comment or else the jury is gonna think that it’s still going on.”

I felt myself tense up and my mind raced back to last night, no longer feeling the quiet comfort but the scandal and the grit. “I’ll deal with it then. It will be fine. Don’t worry.” I said as my own worry erupted inside of me.

Duke sat back into his chair. “Then... I guess we are done for the day.” He put his legal pad back into his briefcase and looked at his watch. “I got to go anyway.”

Elliot seemed to awake from his daydreams in his armchair. “Okay. Good work today.” As if he hadn’t been present for the last thirty seconds of conversation.

I sat back, feeling horrible for my defensiveness. Duke waved at us as he quickly padded out of the office. “See you Monday, Gerard. I’ll call you later, El.”

Elliot nodded towards him and swung his legs forward so he was facing me head on. “So what’s happened today?”

I suddenly remembered the news. “Oh, that.”

“Tell me,” he took a sip of his coffee and proceeded with his usual ignoring me demeanor.

“My dad told me that if I do this case, I have to move out by this Monday,” I sighed.

Elliot shook his head, still looking down, “Are you serious?”

I nodded.

“Wow,” he took another sip before speaking, “Well, if they do indeed go through with it, you can stay with me for awhile.”

“You don’t have to do that. You already do enough,” I waved him away.

“Well, let’s face it. You don’t have a ton of options. If you really need me, I’ll be there for you.”
I knew that it was supposed to sound comforting, but instead the comment sounded bad in my ears. I didn’t like people feeling that I needed someone else, even though I very obviously did.

“I’ll think about it, if they really kick me out,” I said standing up. “I’ll see you on Monday though.”

“Alright Gerard. Be good.” He said and I felt a little like dying inside.

I winced at the advice and turned towards the door, “Yes, sir.”

I took my trip down the golden elevator and started walking towards my car. I put my key in the door to unlock it when I heard it.

“Are you serious, Gerard?”

The voice was unmistakable, but I couldn’t believe my ears. I closed my eyes and held my breath before turning around to look.

He was standing a couple feet away. Leaning on the edge of his black Mercedes. The afternoon sun beaming off his bald head and his tailored suit looking overdone in the setting. His hands were crossed over his chest and the look on his face was one of sheer disgust. A look I knew well.

He spoke again. “Do you really think you can win this case?”

I tried to open my mouth, my words unplanned. I stuttered to start but he cut me off.

“I had so much faith in you. I put so much time into you. All for nothing. All for you to turn around and go against me in the courts. As if you sincerely think you can win. You are just as pathetic as ever.” He crossed towards me. His slow, sure steps clicking across the asphalt and making me feel more powerless with every one.

“Get out of here, Klause,” said a voice behind me.

I turned quickly and saw Elliot standing behind me, a visible anger in his eyes. An emotion I’d never seen in him.

“Tell me, Gerard.” I turned back to see Klause continuing towards me, “How is young, innocent Michael? Is he locking himself away from his monster of a brother?”

I sunk down against the car door and felt myself hit the ground slowly. My eyes widened and my head sunk into my shoulders.

Klause stopped in front of me. Hovering and looking down at me so harshly. But something clicked behind his eyes and I knew… I knew what he had put together.

“You… you are still with him. Aren’t you?” Klause almost smiled.

And then the ground felt like it was being let out under me and I was going to start falling any second. I pricked my ears for the sound of Elliot’s voice, waiting for him to stand up for me. Needing his voice to reassure me.

But I didn’t hear his voice. I didn’t even hear him breath. I was just painfully aware of his presence behind me. Standing there as a spectator, suddenly. As if I didn’t know why.

“Do you really think anyone will sympathize with you after they know you, yourself, are breaking the law? Are you that, dare I say… insane?” Klause put his hands over his chest again, knowing he was right. “You know I would just love to be the expert witness at your case, Gerard. I would love to recommend you spend your sentence at a good wholesome place like Reynard’s. I think it’s a perfect match.”

“That’s enough,” Elliot finally spoke up, but it was a little too late. I was already torn to shreds.

“Elliot Ellis,” Klause cooed. “What an excuse for a psychiatrist you have become.”

“Just leave, Klause. Before I have to call the cops,” Elliot’s voice shook.

Klause looked at his watch, pretending to be bored by the situation. “Oh, that won’t be necessary, Elliot. I have a school to run and you two are just wasting far too much of my time. I would wish you luck, but let’s face it. You didn’t have any to begin with.” The doctor turned on the toe of his dress shoe and padded back to his car.

I closed my eyes and lay my head back as I heard his car speed off. I tried to catch my breath but everything seemed staggered and uneasy. I felt the hot tears pour out of my eyes.

“Are you okay, Gerard?” Elliot came to my side and ducked down next to me.

I shook my head. “I hate that man,” I sputtered out.

“I know. We all do. Don’t listen to him,” Elliot grabbed my shoulders and hoisted me up. “Just breath.”

I leaned on my car hood and tried to follow the advice. In and out. In and out. My nose still running like a faucet and I used my sweatshirt sleeve to mop it away.

“So, was he… right?” Elliot scratched at the back of his head.

My eyes fluttered at him. “What do you mean?”

Elliot seemed uneasy. “Are you and Mikey… together?”

This wasn’t a good time for this talk. “Elliot,” I sighed. “Please, can we not talk about this now?”

Elliot nodded. “You are right. Just go home. Relax. Call me tomorrow if you need help moving.”

I reached for my car again. “Thanks Elliot.” I tried my hardest to shake myself of the event that just happened. But I cried like a baby the whole ride home.