Fool Me Twice

37

Jesse lagged behind the Cassidys as they left the courthouse.

Richard and Portia were clearly agitated. Courtney seemed stunned.

They headed toward a black Lincoln Town Car that was waiting for them at curbside. A driver opened the back door.

“I suppose you’re satisfied,” Portia said to her husband.

He didn’t say anything.

“We got shafted. I certainly hope you’re planning to withdraw your support from his reelection campaign.”

Richard remained silent.

“Well,” Portia said.

She looked at him.

They were now standing beside the Lincoln. The driver stood awkwardly next to them, holding on to the car door as if for ballast.

Courtney stood apart, shifting her weight from foot to foot, her eyes downcast. She didn’t look at either of her parents.

“How dare he abandon us like that,” Portia said. “Who contributed more than we did.”

“He must have come under some kind of scrutiny,” Richard said.

“Probably from someone who has an ax to grind with you.”

“Why don’t you stay out of it, Portia. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh? Now I don’t know what I’m talking about.”

“Keep out of it.”

“To hell with you, Richard.”

“Most likely he couldn’t risk being compromised,” he said, as if to himself.

“So she has to pay the price,” Portia said, indicating Courtney.

“I don’t mind,” Courtney said, looking up at her parents at last.

“What,” Portia said.

“Please stop arguing. I’ll do what the judge said. I can’t stand this constant arguing.”

“We’re only looking out for your best interests,” Richard said.

“You’re not. You’re making me the scapegoat so that the two of you can continue to fight with each other.”

Neither of her parents said anything.

“You hate each other.”

“How dare you say a thing like that,” Portia said.

“It’s true. You hate him. You never say anything nice to him. You’re horrible.”

“Don’t talk to your mother that way,” Richard said.

“You’re no better than she is,” Courtney said.

“Get in the car,” Portia said.

“No.”

“Do you want to be grounded?”

“I’m as good as grounded already. What does it matter?”

Portia walked over to Courtney and angrily grabbed her arm. “I said get in the car.”

“Fuck you,” Courtney said, breaking free of Portia’s grasp.

Portia slapped her.

Courtney reached for her face, fighting back tears.

Richard stepped between them.

“Do as your mother says. Get in the car.”

“Fuck you, too,” she said.

She stepped to the car and opened the front passenger-side door. She looked at her parents with contempt.

“You don’t know anything,” she said.

She got in the car and slammed the door behind her.

Richard and Portia exchanged angry glances. They climbed into the backseat. The driver closed the door after them, quickly got into the car, and drove away.

Jesse stepped from the courthouse shadows. He watched the Lincoln disappear into the late-morning traffic.

When it was out of sight, he got in his cruiser and drove off.