Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen - Pro-Bono Work

The balance of the day Mel and I spent with Jerry who walked us through my work but I wasn't satisfied with it.

"Jerry, this is all well an good, but I need more" I shook my head pushing some documents in front of me towards him. "I need to be involved, like I was with Fantasy Shipping" I look up hopefully at Jerry.

Tilting his head sideways, staring at me thoughtfully, "you are in charge of the Simeon's account, you could start from there, but you will be Adian's subordinate and any other projects you both work on together." Jerry warns. Nodding happily, just excited to do something practical.

"I just want to work" I smiled, a smile which vanishes when I saw Mel's sad face as she feigns excitement for me.

Jerry and I exchanged, worried looks and I nod for Jerry to take over.

"Melanie," Jerry calls her name quietly and she lifts her head with a sad smile.

"I'm so sorry that I'm not into this meeting," Mel apologizes. " My head is all over the place and I am afraid of what Gary might do" Mel expresses her fear.

Leaning across the desk, "Adian and Basil are at his office as we speak, along with Gomez. Today's outcome is not your fault" Jerry turns to me, "nor is it your fault, Hailey." he also reminds me.

All three of us turned our heads to the door, when we heard a knock on Jerry's office door.

"Come in" Jerry shouts his invitation for the visitor to enter, as I got up and started neatening the files on Jerry's desk.

"Jerry" Carol Barnfield, enters the office and stretches out a hand to greet Jerry. "Missed you at this today's meeting." she chuckles, before nodding at Mel and turning to me. "Mrs. Knights," Carol addressed me, "may I have a few words with you, in private please?" Carol requests, smiling calmly.

Standing up, "Hailey, please" I look at Jerry and he nods.

"Use Adian's office" Jerry encouraged me, already becoming nervous, since Adian's not here.

"Thank you," I picked up my handbag, "meet me in Adian's office when you are leaving." I smiled politely leading Carol Barnsfield out of Jerry's office.

Passing the hallway towards the lift, I continue to hear snickers and I know it is directed at me and not Carol.

Carol and I walk silently into the lift, until we entered Adian's office. Caleb lifted his eyes when the lift opened smiling from where he was sitting, behind the receptionist desk.

"Hey Caleb" I greeted him, "is Adian's office open?" I asked already walking towards the closed door..

I heard Caleb chuckling, "you looking good, aunty Carol" I heard him greet Ms. Barnfield and I spun around surprise.

Laughing at my surprise expression, "this is my aunty," Caleb answers my silent question, while escorting us to Adian's office.

Carol and walked towards the sitting area in Adian's huge office, "sit, please," I indicated the couch opposite where I was sitting.

"Can I get you lovely ladies any refreshments, that isn't coffee?" Caleb offers.

Another surprise, no wonder Caleb appreciated the coffee this morning. "I'm good!" I told him and look expectantly to Carol, raising an eyebrow.

"Ms. Barnsfield?" I asked.

Waving off Caleb, "I'm good sweetheart" she tells Caleb, who nods and walks off, "please call me Carol or aunty Carol" she says putting down her handbag, taking out a call card and handing it over to me.

"Hailey, I listen to you earlier, putting your case out there on behalf of someone whom you consider were poorly treated and you were trying to help them. I realize that you were nervous, but inspite of being nervous, you still put yourself out there. If you didn't, Gomez would have met with us given us his side of the story and then your friend Melanie, would not have been accepted within our organization." Carol was saying and I cannot understand why she was telling me these things. Shouldn't I have come to address the board concerning Mel's situation.

I just nod and smile because I have no idea why she is saying these things. I looked down at the card she gave hem, which reads, CAROL BARNSFIELD, ATTORNEY, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES.

Lifting my eyes back to her, still wondering what she wants with me.

"You don't remember me, do you?" Carol asks and my smile left my face, because I don't remember her and I believe that it sounds serious.

Smiling Carol leans across and touches my hand, "Emmy" was all she said and the memories came back to me.

Staring at her, still unable to remember her, "Emmy" I repeated, a smile returning as I think about my little angel. "I'm sorry, but I still cannot remember you." I tell her, embarrassed for not being attentive with things around me.

Chuckling, "I was in the courtroom that day, awaiting a case I was working on to be called and I remember you speaking on behalf of Emmy and why she should not be allowed to return to the home of her mother. You were simple and honest but what I remember is your passion for the cause you were speaking about." Carol continued and I wonder, why she's bringing this up with me.

"Okay!" I responded, waiting for her punchline.

Still laughing softly, "you are wondering why I am saying all this to you, but I representative under privilege children and battered women. After hearing you in the boardroom, I went to HR and took a copy of your resume and I believe that you would do well to join us in our pro-bono work, in helping the children and women in our society." Carol smiles, encouraging me.

Grinning I nod, "I would love to," I responded instantly, because helping the less fortunate is something close to my heart.

Surprise, "aren't you going to discuss it with your husband first?"

"No, he'll be happy for me!"