Chapter 8

The drive back to Iowa was spent mostly in silence, with neither Lyric nor I wanting to contemplate what the next steps should be. We were both tired, and simply wanted to be home. As I watched the countryside pass, I let my mind replay the events of the previous days in a constant loop. I kept returning to Erica’s final words to me. No “I love you,” simply “Goodbye.” I couldn’t help wondering if everything we had built together was now gone, thanks to my recklessness. We had been through so much together; overcome so much. I thought back to the days after the tornado in our junior year of high school. How that event had cemented our relationship. I remembered how Erica had told me that I had awakened her to a whole new world with our relationship. She had always accepted me as I was, and we had fallen in love so quickly. Now I had to face that all of it might be over.

As we neared home Lyric finally spoke. “You’re going to need a lawyer. I guess we better call Mel.”

I groaned inside at his words. Our sister Melody was a lawyer in Topeka, Kansas, and she was also a hopeless goody two shoes. When we were all kids, she had never missed an opportunity to snitch on me and Lyric when we would get into some kind of trouble. This had not changed after I had grown up, and many times she had made her disapproval of my and Erica’s relationship abundantly clear. Despite all of this though, she seemed to be my best shot at getting out of all of this.

“Man, I don’t know,” I replied.

“You know any other lawyers? Because I don’t,” he said.

“Yeah, I know. You know how she is though. She’s going to lecture me for four hours probably.”

Lyric looked out the car window before saying, “Maybe that’s what you need.”

I didn’t bother responding. Maybe he was right.

We arrived in Council Bluffs around five that afternoon and as we walked through the door we were met by Mira, who immediately took Lyric aside, speaking in her native German. Lyric replied in kind, and I stood watching both of them, not knowing what was being said. I noticed Mira would glance at me occasionally with a dark look. Finally, Lyric said, “I need to call Mel.”

Then looking at me, he added, “Don’t wander off. She’s going to want to talk to you.”

As I sat down on our living room couch, I heard Lyric dialing Melody’s number in the kitchen. After a moment I heard him speak. “Hey Mel. Listen, I have need of your expertise.”

I listened to him relate the whole situation to her, not sparing any details. After this he was silent for several minutes, only uttering an occasional, “Uh huh.”

Finally, he yelled from the kitchen, “Ok Harm, come here. She wants to talk to you.”

I felt dread rise up from my gut as I walked to the phone, anticipating the conversation that awaited me. Swallowing hard I took the phone from him and said, “Hey, Mel.”

“Don’t you “Hey Mel” me. How could you do this? Do you know what this is going to do to Mom and Dad?”

As usual she was winding up to chasten me for the next half hour. I felt my dread quickly change to annoyance as she continued to shame me for what had occurred. Finally, I interrupted her.

“Mel, I’m facing a lengthy stay in prison for a felony here, could we maybe talk about that?”

“Whose fault is that Harmony? How could you act like such a child? I told you and Erica that you should have parted as friends when she went to college. Now look.”

“You know what, Mel? I told Lyric that this was a bad idea. If you are just going to sit here and shame my ass, then I’m hanging up. I need a goddamn lawyer, not a second mother.”

As I moved to hang the phone up, I heard her say, “Harm, wait.”

I paused and returned the phone to my ear.

“Yes?” I said testily.

“Look, even if I wanted to represent you, I couldn’t.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“I practice estate law. I wouldn’t know where to begin with your case.”

“Didn’t you study criminal law in college?”

“I did but think of it this way. You studied Algebra in high school, right? But how much do you remember of it, or use it on a daily basis?”

She had a point. I sighed before asking, “Well, what do you recommend at this point?”

“I actually may have a way to help you,” she began. “I have a friend who is a criminal defense attorney in St. Paul. I helped him all the way through law school, even helped him pass the bar. Let me call him.”

I breathed a sigh of relief at her words and said, “Thank you so much Mel.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Let me make the call and see what he says.”

After a few more minutes of conversation, I said goodbye and hung the phone up. Walking to the living room I found Lyric waiting on the couch, and I explained everything she had said to him.

“You know she’s calling Mom and Dad before she calls anyone else.”

Rolling my eyes, I replied, “Yeah, I know.”

***

The next day I returned to work and immediately Ernie and Jay had about a million questions for me.

“Did you beat his ass good, Harm?” Jay asked.

“I hit him once and he went down. It wasn’t even a fight, really.”

“Probably why they’re charging you with a felony,” Ernie said.

I made no mention of the roll of quarters, ashamed to admit I had stolen from the register. As we continued to discuss my misadventure Lyric walked into the shop and barked, “That’s enough! Back to work!”

As we returned to our various tasks Jay turned to me and said, “Oh, by the way Harm. Your other girlfriend came in again while you were in Minnesota.”

I rolled my eyes at his words. “Ah jeez, her again? That’s all I need on top of everything else. What did you say to her?

“I told her you were locked up in Minnesota for assault. She really hightailed it out of here.”

We both had a good laugh at that.

I could tell Lyric was still angry about the whole situation. I had agreed to let him dock my paycheck ten dollars for the missing quarters, and he had decided to attend my arraignment with me. One day, a week later, when we arrived home from work Mira informed me that Mel’s friend, Harold Olson, had called while I was at work. She handed me a slip of paper with his name and number on it and I immediately called him.

After he had answered I said, “This is Harmony Nowak, my sister Melody Nowak said she was going to discuss my case with you.”

“Oh hi, Harmony. Yes, I called earlier, but your sister-in-law said you were at work. Melody explained your situation to me, and I have agreed to take your case.”

I felt as though a weight had been lifted off of me in that moment. Finally, some good news out of all of this. “Thank you so much, sir, I really appreciate this.”

“Well, your sister called in a favor, and I owe her big. She’s the main reason I made it out of law school,” he said with a laugh. Continuing he said, “But I’ve reviewed your case, and it’s a doozy so far as criminal defense goes. In fact, prosecutors call this sort of case a “slam dunk.” They have several witnesses to you threatening Mr. Falcone’s life, and this Bouchard girl is willing to testify that you threatened her as well. I think we can get that thrown out as hearsay, but the police actually witnessed you assault that boy. By the way, did you know he’s the son of Mario Falcone?”

The name was unfamiliar to me.

“Who is that? Sounds like a mob boss.” I replied.

“Worse. He’s a state senator. Hero of Whitcomb County. He came down from Saint Paul to Cairns when the Minnesota River flooded the town and pitched sandbags with them. He also got them aid in record time. He’s a favorite up here.”

I groaned aloud at this. A senator’s son. And a popular senator at that. My stomach and my heart sank at this news. Something told me that even with a lawyer this wasn’t going to end well.

Harold continued. “Now from what I’ve been able to find out, the boy is a Grade-A turd. Poor academic record, a few reprimands for sleazy behavior at school, even a couple of run-ins with the law. And for some pretty unsavory stuff.”

“Such as?” I asked.

“Well, he has a collar for invasion of privacy.”

“What does that mean?”

“He was peeping in windows.”

My skin crawled at this revelation. Joey Falcone was sicker than I first thought, it seemed. I was feeling less and less guilty for knocking him out as the conversation progressed.

“That’s disgusting,” I said.

“I agree, but the unfortunate thing was that he got a slap on the wrist. The perks of being a politician’s son.”

He paused for a moment and then said, “I am telling you all of this just so you will know that we have an uphill battle ahead of us. But it’s not impossible. I’m hopeful we can get you out of this, Harmony. I saw where your arraignment is in a week and a half. My professional advice is to plead not guilty. We can try to broker a deal with the DA later if you change your mind or wish to avoid a trial. If you can, be here early that day because I’d like to discuss the whole process with you before we enter the courtroom.”

“Okay, I’ll be there. My brother is coming with me that day too.”

“He will have to sit in the gallery, but he’s welcome to be present. Try not to worry and keep going to work and following your daily routine. Judges like that.”

A thought occurred to me, and hesitantly I asked, “How much is this going to cost me?”

“Don’t worry about that right now, we can discuss it later,” He replied, before adding, “I will see you in a week and a half Harmony. It was good speaking with you.”

“You too. Thank you.”

With that I hung up the phone and made my way to my room. It was going to be a long ten days.

***

Two days before my arraignment I rode out to lake Manawa and sat down in the spot where Erica and I had visited in March. I remembered that day well. How everything had seemed brand new again, as if we had fallen in love all over again. I thought about Erica’s smile, and her touch. I thought about us returning to the house that day; how that afternoon made me never want to release her from my arms. Yet here I was alone, a new pallor of doubt cast over our relationship. And this time it was solely my fault. I sat watching the quiet rippling water until well past sunset, before returning home.

When I walked in, I found a note on the kitchen table saying that Lyric and Mira had gone out for dinner and would be back later. I wandered aimlessly through the house, lost in my thoughts for many minutes before finding myself in the kitchen again. I looked at the phone and impulsively I picked it up, dialing Erica’s number. I remembered her words, “Don’t call me again,” but I desperately needed to hear her voice. Even if it was filled with anger.

It rang for quite some time, and I started to hang the phone up when I heard Erica say, “Hello?”

“Hey,” I responded, tentatively.

After a long pause she quietly said, “Hey.”

“How are you?”

“I’m fine, how are you? Are you okay?”

I felt a flutter of affection in my belly at her show of concern for me. “I’m okay, I guess. I miss you.”

Again, she paused for a moment, and then I heard her sigh. When she spoke, I could hear that she was fighting back tears.

“I miss you too, Bella.”

“Is Remi there?”

“No, she’s gone for the summer now,” she replied.

“I know she’s told you so much about that day, and I know you said not to call you because you needed some time to figure things out, but please believe me when I say she’s lying.”

“I know she is, Harm.”

I felt as though I’d float away when she said this. I eagerly said, “You do? What happened?”

Erica said, “Her story kept changing. Plus, she kept trying to convince me that I was better off without you. Would you believe that when she was leaving the other day, she kissed me? I’m sorry about that by the way, she totally sprung it on me before I could say anything. Ugh, it was awful. Tasted like tuna salad and cigarette smoke.”

I laughed at that, and I heard the sound of her laughter on the other end of the line as well. I felt that wonderful feeling of delight that I always had when she laughed.

“It’s okay,” I replied. “She had all of this planned out, Erica. She said if I were out of the way, she could have you to herself.”

Erica uttered a mirthless chuckle, before saying, “Never going to happen, Harm. You remember how I said you were stuck with me? I meant it. Yes, I’ve been furious at you the last three weeks, but I still love you so much Harm. I still replay your words to me in the hospital two years ago over and over in my head every day. You are all I’ve thought about these past three weeks. I know this wasn’t entirely your fault. Believe me, I didn’t get into college here by being stupid. It didn’t take long for me to figure out Remi had a hand in this. But please, from now on, talk to me before you take someone else’s word about what’s going on with me.”

I promised her that I would. “My arraignment is the day after tomorrow. Lyric is coming with me. Mel was able to call in a favor and find me a lawyer.”

“What do you think is going to happen?”

“I don’t know, honestly. I plead not guilty and then get a trial date, I guess. Hey, did you know Joey is a senator’s son?”

“What?! No! I mean I had heard someone say something about that, but I didn’t believe it. He doesn’t seem that well put together.”

“That’s what my lawyer told me anyways. By the way, is he alright?”

Erica chuckled at my question. “He’s fine, but he goes well out of his way to avoid me now.”

“I guess that’s one positive out of all of this,” then, hesitantly, I asked, “Can I come see you tomorrow night when we get to Duluth?”

Erica giggled and said, “I don’t know, can you?”

“Ha-ha Erica. May I come see you tomorrow night?”

“Of course. With Remi gone we’ll have the room to ourselves.”

“Alright, I’ll see you then.”

“Ok Chica.”

“I love you, Erica.”

With a sly laugh she responded, “Love you more.”

***

Lyric and I arrived in Duluth late the next day; both of us weary from the road. After we had checked into the same motel as our previous stay, I informed him of my plans to visit Erica for a few hours. He gave me a withering look before saying, “You two aren’t planning anything funny, are you? Like running away together?”

I just rolled my eyes and said, “No, we aren’t going to run off together. I just want to see her before my court appearance tomorrow.”

“Well just remember we have to be there early tomorrow to meet with Harold,” he chided.

“Ok, Mel, anything else you want to say?” I joked.

“This isn’t funny Harm. I mean it. This is serious tomorrow.”

Annoyance filled me at his words, and I said, “I realize that Lyric. What’s your deal?”

He looked at me, and said, “I’m sorry Harm, I’m just worried about all of this. Worried about you, sis.”

“I know, I’m nervous myself, but all we can do is hope for the best at this point.”

He simply nodded. “Take the room key with you.”

“I will. I’ll be back later.”

“Okay, be safe,” and then his familiar goofy grin broke across his face as he added, “And try not to beat anyone’s ass while you’re gone.”

I couldn’t help laughing at this as I turned to leave and said, “Alright, alright.”

I made my way to Fulton-Sikes college, and Erica’s dorm room. I knocked and after a few seconds Erica cracked the door, smiling brightly when she saw it was me. I followed her in, and she turned around, locking the door behind us. I noticed that this time Remi’s side of the room was clean and organized, devoid of her belongings. Turning to Erica I said, “Hey.”

“Hi,” she returned, the smile still upon her lips.

Stretching out on her bed she patted the area next to her, beckoning for me to join her. After removing my shoes, I laid down as well slipping an arm around her. We laid there quietly for many minutes, simply enjoying the feeling of being close to each other again. Eventually Erica moved closer to me, kissing my cheek before saying, “Are you scared?”

I chuckled and said, “Not really. I mean I’ve known you since we were what, eleven?”

She uttered a little, “Ugh,” at this and then said, “Come on Harm, you know what I mean.”

I thought about her question for a moment before answering. “Yeah, a little.”

She brought her hand up to my face, slowly rubbing my cheek with her thumb. Again, we were quiet for some time. Finally, Erica broke the silence.

“You know, no matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you, right?”

I pulled her hand to my lips and gently kissed it. “I know, and I’ll always love you too.”

“You better,” she said with a humorous tone. “Otherwise, that leaves Remi, and well, I’m not too fond of the thought of that.”

“Pish, that’s not even funny. That little bitch was convinced that I wasn’t going to get out of jail and that you would just run right into her arms.”

Erica looked at me with a warm smile and shaking her head said, “Never would have happened. Like I said, I was mad at you, but our lives are tied together now Harm. I’m not going anywhere, and I know you aren’t either.”

“Can I ask you something, Baby?”

“Of course,” she replied.

“Something Remi said has been bothering me. And I’m sure she said it just to hurt me more, but I can’t shake it. She said, ‘You don’t deserve Erica. You could never appreciate someone that amazing, that intelligent, and beautiful.’ Does it bother you that I’m not as smart, or accomplished, as you?”

She touched my cheek again, placing her lips on mine, and kissing me tenderly, before saying, “Absolutely not. I love you just as you are. You are, in my mind anyways, that same girl I fell in love with in high school. And you always will be. I would never look down on you and think you are something less than me. Ever.”

I nodded, feeling better. “All those other things she said, about you being amazing, and intelligent, and beautiful, they’re all true. You really are. And I will always appreciate those things in you.”

“I know Harm,” she replied, and then, “So how long do you have?”

“Eh, not long. We have to be at the courthouse early tomorrow, like eight o’clock. Not that I’m going to sleep any tonight.”

Erica looked at me with a mischievous grin and then bit her lip for a moment before saying, “Well, we better make the most of our time then, don’t you think?”

Pulling her atop me in the small bed I said, “I think so.”