I instantly closed my laptop in front of me and pulled out a notepad to start taking notes. It took everything in me to not let my jaw hit the floor. Just when you think you have heard it all, a curveball comes out of nowhere.
“Nothing you say will ever leave this room. I take my oath of lawyer-client confidentiality extremely seriously. But, I do have to ask this: is there any way you could have gotten chlamydia from anyone other than your husband?”
“No,” she yelled with repulsion radiating from her tone. “Harry is the only man I have ever been with, and I know an STD is not something you can just pick up from anywhere. I don’t even sit on public toilets—I do that squatting, hovering thing.”
Fighting back laughter as she demonstrated her technique in the chair across from me was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I scribbled notes down on the yellow pad in front of me as I saw the slam-dunk case falling into my lap.
“I applaud your hygiene.” I wasn’t sure what else to say on that subject. “Did you confront Harry about this?”
“God no!” Her button nose wrinkled as she feverishly shook her head. “I haven’t even been able to look at him since I got the news.”
“Dahlia, does Mr. Reynolds know you’re leaving him?” It felt like a stupid question, but it had to be asked.
“Why should I tell him? I want him to be as embarrassed as I am. I want him to feel just as foolish as I do. I want him to suffer.” Her voice turned menacingly vindictive as a little spark lit up in her light hazel eyes.
“I think we’re going to get along swimmingly, Mrs. Reynolds,” I replied quickly with a cheeky smile. I was excited to help her get revenge.
“I think so as well.” Her melancholy twisted into cheer as she wiped the running mascara away from her puffing eyes.
“First things first, I am going to need a copy of your medical records and any other information you think is prudent, and then we will go from there. Why don’t you set up another appointment with my secretary on your way out?”
Shoving up from her seat, she smiled at me. “I have to say, I was worried about going with such a young lawyer, but you’ve put all my doubts to rest.”
“Well, I am glad to hear it.” I stood, shaking her hand one more time.
“Thank you, Miss Collins. You have made me feel so much better.”
“Please, call me Harper.”
“Have a good evening, Harper.”
“You try to do the same, and I promise you’re in good hands.”
With a quick wave, she walked out the door.
Right after Dahlia exited my office, I pulled out my cellphone to send a text message to the group chat I had with my three best friends.
Harper: Thank goodness for this Monday being over. The usual place at the same time?
Caroline: I will be there with bells on. I need to talk to someone who is over the age of seven!
Annabelle: I have so much to fill you girls in on! I will see you at six sharp. And if you see Waylon before I get there, BE NICE! We like him.
Sawyer: The anticipation of getting the scoop on all that is killing me, Annie.
Harper: ME TOO!
Caroline: Me three!! This is going to be a good Happy Hour Club night! I can feel it already.
Harper: See you girls soon!
Glancing down at my watch, I realized I didn’t have enough time to go home and change before heading to Drum and Quill to meet my girls. Figuring it couldn’t hurt, I decided to head to the bar early.
It wasn’t that I was trying to be a snoop, but I was dying to really check out Annabelle’s new beau. After tragically losing her husband a few years ago, it was finally her time to find a little bit of happiness in the world.