Ally was choking : it was like the whole room was out of air.

“La-La-Larry…Paul ?” she started coughing.

“Yes, ever heard of him ?” Raymond’s calm contrasted with Ally’s commotion.

“I should have guessed it, damnit ! It was too calm to last. Please tell me it’s just a big nightmare and I’m gonna wake up soon…” She was now playing nervously with her pencil. “Well, um, yeah…y-you could say that.” Coretta noticed that she looked extremely pale, as if all the blood left her face.

“That would be a good point : if you know any tips on how to destabilize him in court…” he suggested, interested.

Ally wasn’t definitely feeling very well. The truth is, she was on the verge of passing out. “Uh, I-I’m sorry but I need some fresh air.” And she run out of the room, leaving everybody stunned and speechless.

“What’s wrong with her ? Is she always acting like a nut ?” Jenny chimed in. “I know somebody who needs a strong therapy…”

“You don’t know a thing about her, Jenny! So why don’t you just shut up and leave her alone ?” Coretta truly sympathizes with Ally’s pain and she knew the last thing she needed at the moment was Jenny being scornful. Jackson wanted to avoid a fight between Coretta and her, so he tried to pacify the situation

“Okay girls, I think you’re a little too old for the kindergarten quarrel.” He tried is best smile but Coretta didn’t give in.

“Whatever !! “ Coretta spat out to him before leaving the conference room to find Ally.

She was in the unisex, locked into one the stalls.

“Ally, open the door…”

“No !”

“Ally..”

“Don’t ‘Ally me’ : all of you don’t have a clue of how I feel right now !”

“”You’re acting like a child !” Coretta was fed up with her infantile reactions. “Hiding isn’t going to help, do you know that ? Are you decided to go out now or I’ll have to stay here and wait ? “ She heard a small ‘click’ and Ally exited the stall , tears rolling down her face.

“I’m not over him.” she avowed.

“I don’t mean to be cruel Ally, but everybody is aware of that.”

“Well, I wasn’t ! I thought for a few weeks that I could go on with my life without him…but it’s pretty much evident : I can’t. I need to know why. I feel like my life’s been put on hold since he left. Look at me ! I sort of look like……nothing. My life means nothing.”

“Wow, he really hurt her, and deeper than I thought.” Coretta was unarmed against that.

“Who’s that Larry ?” Both girls turned round to see Glenn, he was staring at them impassively.

“Glenn ? Uh, I don’t think now is the time : Ally’s worn-out and I’m going to take her home, so…”

“You can go back to work, I’ll take care of her.” Glenn wasn’t moving an inch, and seeing the cold look on his face, Coretta didn’t protest and left the unisex.

“So, who is he ?”

“Please, Glenn…I don’t need this , especially now.” she pleaded.

“Need what?”

“Your jealousy over some guy you don’t even know !!” Ally was at last letting her anger out, even if she knew that Glenn wasn’t the cause.

“You’re right, I’m jealous…” Glenn knew he was in the open. He changed his mind about the end of his sentence so as to detour the subject, without lying. “…because you’ve never said a single word about him. Because it looks like he put you through a lot of pain, and because you’re still attached to him in a way, no matter how much he has hurt you. I’ve never seen you that upset. Look at yourself, you’re almost shaking !” he said, indicating her hands.

“I said I needn’t anybody.” Ally said,firmly. “ I want some time alone. But you can’t understand that !” And she stormed off.

Later, while she was working in her office or at least trying to focus on some paperwork, Ally heard a knock on the door and Richard entered. He had a mysterious smile on his face.

“Hey moping girl ! I’ve got big news for you.”

“I am NOT moping, Richard !!”

“Yeah right, and I’m bold. Bigônes.” He sat down in front of her and lighted a cigar. Ally sighed. “The fact is that I talked to Raymond and we agreed you would be second chair on the case.”

“What are the good news in that?” she asked doubtfully, “I don’t wanna go to Detroit.” She coughing several times to make Richard understand that the smoke of his cigar was quite intoxicating. “ And won’t you please extinguish this cigar !”

“Ally, I know you want to find out why he left. Trust me, we all wonder what passed through his mind. Why don’t you take that opportunity? You need answer, we’re all curious.”

“How many times do I have to repeat : NO ! I’m fine ,thanks.”

“You’re a great lawyer, Ally. But when it comes to lies, you’re terrible. Do you really think we’re blind ? You’ve been lurking around the office with your gloomy face for six months now.”

“Five…it’s been five months.” She grumbled between her teeth. ”And let me tell you : I’m not gloomy, just a little…depressed.”

“Oh, and that’s better. Tell me where’s the problem ? You’re craving for an explanation and you’re dying to see him. Is anything holding you back ?”

She seemed to think about it then said : “I’m afraid that if I go to Detroit, I won’t get out of it in one piece.”

“So that’s a scoop : you’re already in a thousand pieces ! Believe it or not but it can’t get worse.”

“Thanks Richard, that helps a lot!”

“Seriously. What could happen there that could be worse ?

“……”

“Perfect ! You’re on the case. You’re flying out tomorrow evening. Trial begins Monday.

“No Richard, I never that-“

“Never mind !” he answered, already out of her office, leaving a trail of smoke behind him. Ally banged her head on her desk : she was trapped.

That night, Ally didn’t sleep a lot. ”What a change!” she ironically observed. She still hadn’t made up her mind about Detroit. Early in the morning, she got up to make herself some coffee and turned on the radio. There was this Corrs’ song which completely matched with her mood.

You’re only just a dream boat sailing in my head
You swim my secret oceans of coral blue and red
Your smell is incense burning, your touch is silken yet,
It reaches through my skin, moving from within
And clutches at my breast

But it’s only when I sleep
See in you in my dreams
Got me spinning round and round
Turning upside down…

And when I wake from slumber
Your shadow’s disappeared
Your breath is just a sea mist surrounding my body
I’m working through the daytime
But when it’s time to rest, I’m lying in my bed
Listening to my breath, falling from the edge
But it’s only when I sleep……

“I have to make things move.” And Saturday evening, she went to the airport. Surprisingly she found Raymond there waiting for her.

“Richard told me that you would come anyway. So I figured I would wait and see.”

“Here I am !! Ready to face it!” she made an attempt to sound cheerful, but her heart was still heavy.

“Let’s go then. Did I tell you that Richard relate me the story of you and Larry?”

“He did?”

“Well, I was interested and Richard is quite talkative…”

“Yeah, I already knew that. Now that you got knowledge of my dreadful life, can we take that plane ?”

“Uh…not yet. I’m waiting for somebody else.”

“Another lawyer?

“Not exactly.”

“Raymond !!”

Ally turned round and saw Elaine literally throwing herself at him.

“Hey, I thought you weren’t gonna make it .”

“Something came up but I’m here. Are you sure you don’t want me to come ?”

Raymond put his arms around her. ”Shh, we’ve already talk about it. Moreover Ally will be there to look after me. Right ?” She nodded, realizing that Raymond was looking her support.

“Last call for passengers to Detroit, Michigan. Plane now boarding at gate 11…”

“Yep, it’s our flight Raymond! We should hurry up if we don’t want them to leave without us.” Ally was getting nervous…Detroit…she was finally having the guts to go there.

“Okay, you stay good while I’m gone ?” Apparently, Raymond had been told about Elaine’s past.

“Always.” Raymond kissed her sweetly and when it become more passionate, he broke apart. “Well, see you in one week.”

Ally’s mouth was hanging open : Elaine and Raymond ? She was stunned. “Never saw that one coming..” She was planning to have a little conversation with him during the flight. After all, they had more than 3 hours to spare and she couldn’t wait to know more about the two of them as an item.

It’s been half an hour since they took off and Ally didn’t know how to bring up the subject.

“Elaine didn’t tell me you two wee seeing each other.”

Raymond didn’t look up from his magazine and mumbled “Uh-uh.”

“It must have been recent ‘cause she tells me everything…”

“Yes, it is.”

“Okay, wanna stay silent Mr. Millbury ? Let’s play the frankness card.” Ally cleared her throat and said bluntly :”So you’re serious ?”

This time, Raymond put the magazine down and stared at her. “Well, I don’t know. Tell me first about you and Larry.”

“Um,” she was taken aback, “that’s not the point.”

“It is. How can I measure the seriousness of a relationship if I don’t have any clue of what’s serious for you?”

What he said made sense in a way. “Well, Larry had moved in with me and we’d been involved for more than five months. We kind of completed each other.”

“Wow, from your standards, Elaine and I are faraway from being serious !” he replied in a chuckle. “But from mines, I think it might work.”

“You wanna tell me more about it?”

“You wanna tell me more about Larry?”

“You always need to have the last word ?”

“You always answer a question with another one ?”

They stopped and both burst out laughing. The next two hours passed quickly : they talked respectively about Larry and Elaine so that by the end of the flight, Raymond knew almost everything about Larry ,and Ally discovered a new face of Elaine she never suspected. When they landed on Detroit City Airport, it was way past eleven p.m. They took a cab which drove them to the St Regis Hotel. Both of them were exhausted and immediately went in direction of their rooms which were one floor separated. Her sleepless nights finally catching up with her, Ally yawned all the way and once settled in her room, she fell asleep.

The next morning, Ally was getting dressed when Raymond passed by her room to pick her up.

“Ally, it’s Raymond. Ready to go ?”

“Come in.” He did and found her lacing her sneakers. “Give me a minute and I’ll be ready.”

Raymond agreed to take her sight-seeing. Since the trial was scheduled to start on Monday, they had a whole day to visit the city. After their little chat the previous day, Raymond thought it would be a good idea to show Ally a different side of Detroit. She was seeing it through Larry which meant pain, grieve and anger. Raymond had grown up in Detroit and knew places where to have a good time. Ally needed that, especially before the trial : she would be less stressed.

“What are you looking at ?” she asked suspiciously. Ally has exchanged her traditional blouse & skirt outfit for a large Harvard sweatshirt a sport pants.

“…well, I’m not used to…seeing you like this.”

“Like what ? More relaxed ?”

“If you say it : yes. More sexy might I add.”

“Raymond ! What about Elaine ? Already forgotten about her ?”

“Just teasing !” he sneered.

“Okay, then forget about your astonishment so we can get started.” Raymond was right : one good night sleep and she looked……healthier. No more circles around the eyes hardening her face, no more vacant look … “So, are we going or not ?”

“Of course, a promise is a promise.”

“If all men could say and apply that…” her excitement was replaced by a look of sadness.

“Oh, oh!! Larry’s already coming back.” Raymond intended to make her more cheerful : “Don’t think about that. What if I took you to the park ?”

“Raymond, I’m not a child.”

“Don’t be stupid, I proposed you to take a walk !! It’s pleasant in this season.”

“If you say so, let’s go !”

In fact they didn’t make it to the park until later in the afternoon. Raymond showed her some beautiful places and he took her to lunch in a French restaurant he’d known for years. Ally was beginning to get out of her ‘it must be very cold in Detroit’ way of thinking. The more time she spent there, the more she liked the city.

It was 4 p.m. when Larry knocked on Jamie’s door. Sam almost immediately opened the door and jumped into his arms.

“Hi dad ! Are you coming in ?” He knew his parents didn’t get along well theses times.

“No buddy, but I thought I could take you someplace. Okay ?”

“Great ! Let me tell mum about it and we can go.”

A few minutes later, they were walking in The park. Well, running seemed to be more appropriate for Sam : Larry bought him a baseball glove and wanted to teach him how to play. Unfortunately, after a few exchange, Larry threw the ball too high which caused Sam to miss the shot and the ball went right into a stranger’s head. He turned around, rubbing his forehead and Larry recognized him : Raymond Millbury. What was he doing here ? “Silly question, Larry. He’s opposing council in a case that starts tomorrow!“ Raymond didn’t noticed Larry. All he saw a little boy running to him, an embarrassed look plastered on his face.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t catch it. Did it hurt you ?”

“Well,” still massaging his forehead, “I can’t say it didn’t hurt, but I’m still alive for sure ! You’re forgiven.” And he gave Sam the ball back.

“Sorry again. Bye.”

“Funny kid.” He thought. He walked back to Ally who was waiting for him, sitting on a bench. Suddenly, he felt a little bump on his temp. “Shit !!” he said out loud.

“What’s making you so angry ?”

“I’ve sort of almost been knocked out by a kid.”

Both alarmed and amused, Ally got up and stepped closer to see his ‘oh-so big wound’. “Oh you, big baby ! It’s only a tiny bump.” she grinned.

“Hey, don’t poke fun at me : you’re not the one who’s in pain !” he complained.

“See, we can make a contest : your little bump against my broken heart.” A silence and their laughter came out loud.

“Okay, I’m a big baby. You won. So as a big baby I’m going back to the hotel ‘cause I want to put some pomade on it before it reaches baseball size.”

Ally couldn’t help but laugh, which rapidly turned into an uncontrollable laughter. Raymond headed for the hotel but then he saw that Ally wasn’t moving, still laughing : “Are you planning to stay here all day ? My head hurts !” He took by the arm and dragged her off the park.

In the meantime, Sam had come back to his father…who was actually not moving a muscle.

“Dad, I’ve got it back…Dad ?”

Larry came out of his reverie: “Yeah Sammy. Just give me one minute.” Something, or someone had captured his attention: Ally. He was watching Raymond Millbury in the corner if the eye when he saw…her. Wait, she was talking with him. “What the hell ?” Ally’s hand was now touching his face. “Stop it, Larry. It must be one of those stupid hallucinations.” He rubbed his eyes and when he looked up, she wasn’t there anymore. He all of a sudden became aware of his son’s presence :

“ Dad ! How about some ice cream ?”

“What? Yeah, let’s go.” He took one more look where he thought Ally was standing a moment ago and walked off.

Around 6p.m, Larry took Sam home. They were in front of the building in Larry’s car and Sam was begging him to come up and see the new posters he bought.

“Next time, Sam. I have an important trial tomorrow.” Larry couldn’t miss the disappointed look on his face.

“So when will I see you again ?”

“I’ll be busy this week, but maybe next Monday.”

“Okay.” He kissed his father on the cheek and exited the car.

“Will I ever be able to make up for the pain I inflicted him ?” Larry stayed in front of the building a few minutes, thinking about his son.

Everything's so blurry
and everyone's so fake
and everybody's empty
and everything is so messed up
pre-occupied without you
I cannot live at all
My whole world surrounds you
I stumble then I crawl

I wonder what you're doing
imagine where you are
there's oceans in between us
but that's not very far

Can you take it all away
can you take it all away
well ya shoved it in my face
this pain you gave to me

Everyone is changing
there's no one left that's real
to make up your own ending
and let me know just how you feel
cause I am lost without you
I cannot live at all
my whole world surrounds you
I stumble then I crawl

Wiping off the tears from his eyes, Larry turned over his car and drove back to his apartment.

”Ally, calm down !! “ Raymond repeated for the tenth time. “Why are you so tense ?”

“Why ? Y-you’re seriously asking me why ?” Her eyes were wide open. She and Raymond were in the elevator, on their way to the first floor courtroom.

“I understand, you have the right to be anxious, but don’t show it in court ! And for God’s sake stop playing with your hair, the jury will notice and take it as a sign of weakness.”

Raymond was very strict that morning. He barely said a word all along the way to the courthouse. “When he’s into something…don’t try to get in his way.” Ally was discovering Raymond as the lawyer. “No wonder why he’s so good if he’s always that pitiless.” They had spent most of the previous evening working on the opening arguments and they were prepared. And still, he looked distant. Dong. The doors opened and Raymond went in search of his cousin. He was there, sitting on a bench, his hands on his knees and nervously rubbing them.”At least I’ve found someone who’s a bigger wreck than me.“ she sighed.

“Hi, Julian.”

“Raymond ! Thank you for coming. I still don’t realize what’s happening to me.” He looked thoroughly tired.

“Meet Ally McBeal, a lawyer from Boston. She’ll help me on your lawsuit.”

“Hi, Mr. Dawn.” She extended her hand to him.

“Just call me Julian. Emma is already in there with her.”

“All right then. Let’s go……Ally ?”

She was paralyzed. All her resolutions had faded away, leaving place to fear and uncertainty .After all coming to Detroit wasn’t such a good idea. “He’s in there. Am I ready to face him ? God, give me a sign, I don’t know what to do….”

“Ally, we have to go in. No escape.”

“Ok-okay.” She replied, clutching her briefcase. She entered the courtroom with her head down. Suddenly, everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. All she could hear was the sound of her high heels on the floor. Poc……poc……poc……

“Miss McBeal ?”

She raised up her head and almost bumped in to Raymond. He and Larry were shaking hands. “Larry……my Larry…” Raymond was probably expecting the same from Ally. He stepped aside and Ally found herself in front of him. Time stopped when she saw him : he hadn’t changed. “Oh, his deep brown eyes and oh-so sensuous lips…Stop it, damnit !! He’s the opposing council. Pretend he’s the enemy.” She started stuttering :

“Hi, Al-Ally McBeal. That’s….my name !!” She was uneasy and it was evident. She held out her hand to him and shivered at the touch of his. She quickly disengaged her hand and began playing nervously with her hair.

“……”

For the first time in his life, Larry was at a loss for word in a courtroom. Rare enough to take note of it. They locked eyes and stared at each other for a long time. No words were needed to express their feeling at the moment. Someone in the background cleared his throat, breaking the connection between them. Larry’s hand was still hanging in the air in disbelief.

“Miss McBeal, our client is waiting for us.”

“What ?“ She suddenly realized that she was still in court. “Oh, yeah. Sorry.” She sat next to Raymond and tried her best not to look at Larry. “This is crazy. I’m crazy. What am I doing here? ”

The bailiff cut short her reflection. “All rise, the court is now in session.” Judge Joan Phillips came in : “Be seated. The defense : is there anything you would like to say before we begin ?”

“No, your honor.”

And three hours later, the jury had been selected and opening arguments could begin. Larry was first :

“Ladies and gentlemen, we will intend to prove the defendant’s reaction was unjustified and that he acted with premeditation, intentionally causing the plaintiff material and emotional injuries. He burnt her car, with no other apparent reason than…” Ally hated it. She wondered how Larry could contain his emotions, not letting anything disconcerting him. “…that’s why he should pay for what he exposed her to. The plaintiff is seeking compensatory damages for emotional distress, including the wedding ceremony charges she had to pay.” Larry slowly got back to his table. He couldn’t stop watching here. “She’s here, it’s a fact. But why ?”

Raymond walked over the jury. “ This case has nothing to do with premeditation. It’s about a man who thought he’d been betrayed and cheated on, four days before his wedding. We’ll show that his acts were guided by his emotions and his unstable state of mind at the moment. Temporary insanity : that’s the reason. The defendant had no idea of what he was doing. He was totally regardless of the consequences. We ask for your understanding, my client can’t be hold as the only one to blame and we will demonstrate that.”

“Wow, that’s an opening !“ Ally thought. She peered at Larry who was actually staring at his table. Raymond sat back down, looking fully satisfied.

“If there’s nothing to add, the court will retreat. We will resume tomorrow at 3 p.m. for the testimonies. Court is adjourned.”’

Ally felt like she was suffocating. “Breath……I need to breath. I’m gonna have to face Larry. It’s inevitable.” She went out of the courtroom, shuddering at the thought of it.

Larry closed his briefcase and saw that Ally was already out of the room. “What do I do now ? Am I going to talk to her ? I will have to face her anyway. Better be now, it’s inevitable.”

Raymond saw Larry walking towards Ally and winked at her. “See you later at the hotel. We’ll have to work on the testimony…and talk about him.” indicating Larry, and he left.

Larry walked over her and both stared at each other. After an awkward silence which felt like eternity, Larry spoke up :“Hi !”

“And I actually thought you were dumb. I can see now that you’re capable of speaking. I thought you left note ?……” she instantly regretted her words. “ Sorry, that was a little harsh.”

“I deserved it.” looking at his feet he added, “How are you doing ?”

“Is that question I have to answer ?” Unexpectedly, she felt the urge to punch him. All her anger and pain was coming back and all she wanted to do was to release it. “ ‘Cause you know the answer is pretty much evident. What did you expect ? I’m……I’m devastated. I don’t even remember why I came here. God, I don’t even know why I’m talking to you !! I should hate you for what you did…“ she was now shouting. “…but I can’t. I’d like to say that I don’t care, that I’ve turned the page. But you keep me from going on. I don’t understand and wonder : why me ? What could have I possibly done to deserve that ? Why did you disappeared, why ?” People in the hall were staring at her in wonder. “See ? Add humiliation to the list !!” Infuriated, she threw her hands in the air and soon she was out of sight, gone.

Larry stayed there, astounded and out of words. “Twice in a day Larry, twice !!” His heart was slowly breaking into a million of pieces. “What she said.. how could have I hurt her so badly ?” He was ashamed for so many reasons : he left her, gave no explanation, caused her so much grief…And there he stood, unable to say a single word. He finally run off to find her but it was too late. She had already left the courthouse. “I have to talk to her tomorrow. Things can’t stay that way. She’s here, in Detroit. Must be an omen.”

VLAM !! Ally violently slammed the door behind her. Something…she needed to throw something. First she took the cushions placed on her bed. After being done with them, she began shouting : ”The bastard ! He didn’t even talk. He doesn’t give a fuck about me !…” Slowly, her words became less and less audible and turned into silent tears. “Why ?……why?”

I can think of younger days when living for my life
Was everything a man could want to do
I could never see tomorrow,
but I was never told about the sorrow

She knelt down by her bed and cried there one, two hours……all the time it took her to let out her pain.

And how can you mend a broken heart?
How can you stop the rain from falling down?
How can you stop the sun from shining?
What makes the world go round?
How can you mend this broken man?
How can a loser ever win?
Please help me mend my broken heart and let me live again

It was to call Renee that Ally got up, still sniffling, and took her cell.

“Renee ?”

“Hi, Ally ! It’s good to hear you.” Then she perceived a sob at the end of the line. “What’s wrong, anything happened ?”

“Sort of,” she sniffled. “I’m in Detroit.”

“In Det- what ?

“That’s a long story.”

“You know, I have time. Tell me.”

And Ally told her. They spent one hour on the phone talking about all and nothing. Ally learnt that Renee was really doing fine and that she may be allowed to return in Boston in a few months. When she hanged up, she was happy : her best friend and roommate would be back soon. She took a look at her watch : 4 p.m. “Raymond’s waiting for me !!” They had to prepare Julian’s examination and he was certainly expecting her to show up in his room. Three minutes later, she was knocking on his door.

“Sorry, I know it’s late but something came up. I had no choice.”

“It’s okay, come in.” He sat at a table where a bunch of papers were spread out in a total disorder. Pointing out another chair, he invited her to sit down next to him. “So, how did it went with Larry ?” he said distractively, still reading his papers.

“We-we didn’t talk. In fact, He didn’t talk. Me, I shouted, scream, made a fool of myself…the usual.”

“If you kept throwing your hands in the air like you’re doing now I can easily picture that !” He said in a laugh.

“Don’t make fun of me, Raymond. It’s the last thing I need from you.”

“Right now, the only thing we have to be concerned about is the case. Ally, I know it’s difficult for you but you have to try to get the upper hand again. Use your knowledge in court. Show him you’re not the weak between the two of you, I’m sure you’ll feel better.”

“I don’t know,” Ally wasn’t sure if attacking him was good idea. “declaring war isn’t my type.”

“Ally, you know how to oppose him in court. You still want to beat him ? Here’s your chance. You’ve got nothing to lose. Focus on the case, you’ll focus on your relationship with Larry after the verdict.

A small smile appeared on her lips. “He would never handle me beating him……You’re right. Let’s just work on the case.” Then, something crossed her mind : “A propos I thought of something for Emma’s testimony : we could lead her into admitting that she was fully aware of Julian’s eventual reaction .And if we can prove that, she would be the one to blame for all that happened.

“Hey, good idea. You’re smart sometimes, did you know that ?”

“Yep, it doesn’t hurt to hear it !”

They worked in to a good ambiance until eight, and Ally was literally starving.

“Wanna eat something? There’s a restaurant near a few blocks away from here.”

“I won’t say no.” Ally stood up and locked into her pockets : “Oh, no. Wait, I forgot my cell in my room.”

“You don’t need it, we’re not leaving the country !” Raymond always hated cell phones. He knew it was a way to join people every hours of the day -and night- and he hated the idea of being disturbed at anytime.

“In fact, I do. Coretta’s supposed to call me tonight.”

“Okay, so we’ll stop by your room.” he granted.

Her cell was on her nightstand, indicating she had a message. “You see ! I told you, I’ve got to call her back now.” she grumbled.

“Just listen to the message !! She’s probably telling you everything’s fine in Boston.”

“Okay…”

“New message, received today at 5.10 pm. Hi, Ally. It’s Larry .I uh…I truly think we need to talk. Maybe we can have lunch tomorrow, before the testimonies. Um…anyway, I wait for your call. My cell’s number is the same. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiip” Ally was frozen. She surely didn’t expect that one.

“So, how are things in Boston ?”

“What ?”

“Coretta, what did she say ?”

“Um, wh-…um, it wasn’t Coretta.“

“Then ,who...?“

“Larry,“ she lashed out quickly ” he want us to have lunch tomorrow.”

“What are you gonna do ?”

“I’ve been waiting for him to make the first move. The answer is easy…and nevertheless scary : we have a lot of things to clarify.” She took a deep breath and exhale noisily. “I’m gonna call him.”

“Ally, did I warn you that we were in the middle of a trial ? You ought to cool it off. No more confusion is necessary. I need you in this 110%, and you seem too distracted by this whole ‘Larry issue’.”

“Raymond, I don’t expect your full comprehension, but it’s very important to me. I have to talk to him. I wanna get rid of all those Great Unspoken with Larry. And I can promise you that it won’t affect my work on this case. Trust me, please.” She made those puppy eyes he couldn’t resist to.

“Well, it’s not like I had a choice but…I’m okay with it. Call him.” He sat on her bed.

“Raymond ?”

“Yeah, what ?”

“I think I need some privacy.”

“Right, I’ll wait for you in the entrance hall.”

Alone, at least. Wait, what’s his number ? Stupid Ally ! You know it by heart, just compose it. Don’t be chicken.

“Larry Paul.”

“Um, hi !…it’s Ally.”

“Ally ! I never thought you would call, I supposed that after this morning…”

“Yeah, I was a little cruel, not that I take back what I said , I still mean it. But I didn’t have to be that brutal, sorry. So you want to have lunch tomorrow ?” she said all in a breath.

“You still run on sentences, Ally.”

“What can I say : I’m still do that when I’m nerv- , I mean when…never mind.”

“Actually, we can get together at this quiet place I know : the Roman Arch .It’s a little restaurant.“

“It sounds good. Well , I guess I’ll see you there tomorrow. 1 p.m. ?”

“Done.”

“Okay ,then…”

“Ally ?”

“Yeah ?” she pronounced in an hopeful tone.

“…Nothing. See you tomorrow, bye.”

“Bye.” She hung up. “Wow, I’ve just accepted a date with Larry !! Not a date exactly, we will mostly enlighten some points of our relationship, but still…I can already feel the butterflies growing in my stomach.”

Feedback much welcomed!