Point Of View 2 [*Do not read until you've read the same chapter of ATW]

Chapters 71 & 72 Let The Battles Begin/ Winners And Losers

*James*

The upcoming trial is all over the news and blowing up the internet. Me, my background, my family. How they dug up shit on us is beyond me but so far nothing negative has been said about us. And... fortunately, nothing about my father has been mentioned. But reporters want to know who James Gallo is so have pretty much been stalking my friends and family. They even went as far to go to the Marriott and interview my coworkers. Both Cheryl and the cook in the back, Al, had nothing but good things to say. Handworker just trying to make ends meet and provide for his sick mother.

Right now, we are watching my uncle Mac and cousin Natalie say more positive things about me after reporters hounded Sullivan's Tap. It all ends up circling back to being Nate Hollan's friend and roommate.

"I'm like some virus and anyone who comes in contact with me gets exposed to the world." Nate turns towards me on the couch. "I'm sorry."

 "It's not your fault, Nate. You are who you are." I look away from the tv while anxiously awaiting the arrival of Addison Landry. It's just me and Nate here. Addison requested as much to avoid any distractions.

I can't help but think the worst, so my knee involuntarily bounces nervously as Nate helps me drink my coffee. My coordination has gone to shits lately with the stress I'm under.

The elevator intercom buzzes. 

"Mr. Hollan? It's Addison Landry." The voice announces from the small speaker. Nate jumps up off the couch to buzz the lawyer in.

"Here we go, Gallo." Nate inhales sharply.

In walks in the lawyer, very put together and looking like a million bucks whereas I haven't slept in over a week and look like pure crap on top of crap.

"Mr. Hollan. Nice to see you again." She throws free hand out for him to shake and then greets me the same way. 

She's kidding, right?

I can't fucking shake someone's hand! She catches on quick and puts both my trembling hands in hers to pat. "Right. Sorry, James."

And then, Addison Landry gets right to work. She takes off her suit jacket and points to me while walking towards the living room. "Right. We can use that."

Oh great. Use how I can't shake hands? How can't I shower myself or feed myself half the time? I really don't want anyone's pity. I just want this to be done with. I want my freedom is what I really want.

Addison sits down across from the couch, nodding to herself and opens her briefcase, setting out multiple folders and papers on the coffee table.

"We can use your disability to our advantage." She says while opening her laptop and making herself at home. "Coffee? Do you have any coffee, Mr. Hollan?"

"Nate, please. And yes." 

I laugh watching Nate scramble to his feet to serve her. I've never seen this before and it's comical. "Cream, sugar?"

"No. Black is fine." She then observes Nate helping me with my own coffee like we are some freak show. I had a feeling this would happen.

"That. That's what I'm talking about." She waves her pen at us. "James. You were severely injured in this accident, were you not?"

"Yes."

"Ok, this is what I am going to bring up first. You need to go with it ok? Just like we are in court right now." She stands up with her pad of paper and pen and begins pacing around.

"So, you were providing for your family by working extra hours. You got behind the wheel with Trisha Banks, after a long shift. The first thing the prosecutor is going to ask is- if you were so tired, why didn't you have Ms. Banks drive?" She pauses and looks at me. "No. sweetheart. You can't pause to think. Not for one second."