18

Spencer Cypress

When mid-August rolled around, it seemed that the work began to pile up more. As the court date was on the horizon, I knew I had to get everything prepared and ready for whatever may come.

As for Graham and me, there are no words to describe how I feel. I had placed walls up that I thought would protect my vulnerable heart. But in reality, it was isolating.

Graham then came in, slowly chipping away at those walls and coming to my rescue. I had feared that I would be hurt, only for me to be healed.

I couldn't say that my life was perfect. There are many issues that are still present. At least there's a few things in life that seem to bring me happiness and give me a purpose to wake up in the morning.

My lawyer sent me a list of possible questions I would ask during the trial. I read them while I placed Holly on a tall chair as if he was the judge.

"Alright, next question." I said to myself. "So, Mr. Cypress. On the night of January 20, you and Mr. Manchineel attended an event in Reno. He got drunk and you helped him to his room. At any point during the walk from the party to the hotel room did he make any sexual advances towards you?"

I then walked to the couch as if I was on the stand.

"Yes, he did. His hands kept touching different parts of my body, such as my legs and behind. I had to get him to stop being handsy with me because we were in public."

I let out a groan from exhaustion. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a treat for Holly as a reward for being an impartial judge.

The questions that were going to be asked were all touchy subjects. Some asked about our history and how our relationship affected our work life. Other more arcane questions asked more for personal information.

I needed to take a break from my work. Holly went into a carrier backpack, and I walked over to Graham's house.

"Good day, neighbor!" I loudly announced. Graham exited a chicken coop, wiping sweat from his forehead. Juniper ran up to me and began to sub himself on my leg.

"Spencer! Hi!" He quickly walked over to me and kissed me on the cheek. "I would hug you, but I smell like chicken poop."

"It's fine. I came to check out everything here."

Graham and I walked to a patio where he washed up before serving me lemonade. I let Holly roam around while Juniper trailed him.

"I'm beat. I just want to relax all day." Graham said.

"Why not take the day off?" I asked.

"Can't. Maybe in the future if I'm able to expand the business. And even then, I like getting my hands dirty." He explained.

"Wow," I awed. "That's really impressive. I struggle to even turn on a lawn mower."

"If you want, I can show you a few things around the farm." He suggested.

"I'm good." I took a sip of my lemonade. "That kind of work is not for me. I'd prefer to do things in an office or something like that."

A man had come by and took a break in the patio.

"Graham, we finished with the 3rd sector. It should be ready now." He said.

"Got it." Graham replied. "Spencer, meet Mykolas Aspen. He's one of my closest workers."

"Pleasure to meet you." I said. Mykolas also greeted me.

"You're the city boy that everyone's been talking about!" Mykolas said. "Nice! I've never met someone from LA. Is it true that a jar of peanut butter costs like $15 over there?"

"Uh," I stuttered.

"Get back to work, Mykolas." Graham told him. Mykolas slicked his black hair back before smiling at me and running to where he came from.

"He seems nice." I mentioned.

"He's a bit of a pain but a hard worker." Graham replied.

I extended my hand across the table for him to grab them. He understood this and brought his rough hands to grab mine.

"Graham. I want to ask you a favor. But I think it'll be too much to ask for." I said.

"You can ask me for my kidney, and I'd give it to you." He told me.

I paused. "I- Well, maybe that's too far. But I appreciate the gesture." I said. "Anyways, my court date is coming up and it's going to be hard. I was wondering if you'd come with me to LA and be there for support."

Graham leaned closer. With full determination, he said, "I will absolutely be there for you. Till the end of the earth."

My face began to heat up.

"Great," I said. "Uh, there's a few things you'll need to do."

"Anything." Graham said.

We both looked over to Juniper and Holly. They were both in the grass, with Holly basking in the sun and Juniper a bit away but keeping guard.

"Are you confident about the case?" Graham asked me.

I shrugged. "Can't say I'm overly confident. There have been times when I felt like this case would go in our favor but other times, I felt like I could lose."

"What would happen if you win?" He then asked.

"My former boss would have to retract everything he said when he called me a liar. I and Amelda would receive a settlement. And he also might be criminally prosecuted. It'll also give me leeway to sue him for defamation and libel." I explained.

He let out a huff. "So, you'll be going from one case to another. Are you sure that you're up for that?" He asked.

"I have to do it. I need that man to face the full consequences of what he did. Too many other people haven't had the privilege. It's the least I can do for me and them."

Graham got up from his chair and sat next to me. He placed a hand on my shoulder and rubbed it.

"Then I will be there for every trial. Just don't be afraid to reach out to me." He said.

"Just don't get annoyed of me." I chuckled.

"I should be saying that to you. I feel like Velcro the way I'm stuck to you."

Graham had to get back to work after our conversation. I put Holly back in his carrier and I took him home.

I finished up the last of my work. Right before I went to bed, I called Graham on the phone.

"Is there a spider or did a raccoon get in?" Graham quickly asked.

I sat up from my bed and saw Graham pressed against his window staring at me. I chuckled on the phone.

"No danger here." I said. "Just wanted to call before going to bed."

"Oh, well, what do you want to talk about?" He asked.

"Anything. The wind, chickens, tomorrow." I replied.

"Hm, I have a scheduled phone call with my sister."

"Your sister? Rebecca, right?" I asked.

"Yes, her! She's a few years older than me. She's also married to her husband, Amir. They have a daughter, my niece, Angela." He explained.

"Are they the only ones in your family you still talk to after what happened?"

"Yeah," Graham solemnly replied. "Rebecca doesn't talk much to them either. She only does it because my parents have threatened to sue for grandparent rights to see Angela."

"Damn. Your family, besides your sister, all sound like assholes." I said. He let out a hearty chuckle.

"I said the same thing. But it's fine. My family was one of those people that tried to give off the impression that we were perfect. So, when we fractured, they tried hard to keep everything together but failed."

"I'd love to meet your sister one day. It sounds like the two of you share a close bond."

"She might visit soon. Though, she doesn't know when. Trust me, you'll love her. She's funny, kind, and a bit dramatic."

I looked out the window. Graham had sat on a chair and looked happy.

"Look out." I said.

He turned and the two of us looked at each other. He waved at me.

"Can I be honest with something?" He asked.

"Yeah."

"I've never been to LA." He admitted. "Is it scary? Am I gonna end up being some extra on a movie? Is Caitlyn Jenner gonna run me over with her car? Am I gonna get recruited to Scientology?"

Now it was my turn to laugh. "You'll be fine. So long as you avoid the dangerous parts, especially WeHo, then you'll be fine." I said.

"You'll be there. Which means that I'm in good hands." He said.

"We're both in good hands." I replied. I let out a yawn.

"Go to sleep, Spencer." He said.

"Okay, okay." I relented. "Night, Graham."

"Night!" He kissed the phone. I watched him do this through my window. He waved at me before going to his bed.

I returned to my bed and stared up at my ceiling. I managed to fall asleep quickly without any trouble. My sleep in recent weeks has been more satisfying.