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

Chapters 74 & 75 The Pretender, The Protectors

"Mr. Hollan! Nate Hollan!" A few more reporters close in on us. "If the case is drawn out, will it affect your U.S. portion of tour? Do you think James will be facing jailtime?"

Nate takes over the situation and I watch it unfold from the SUV. Hollan shines in situations like this. He turns and smiles brightly at all the reporters and Paul takes a step back, following his cue.

"My Around The World Tour is scheduled to run smoothly for the last portion. My main concern right now is my good friend James Gallo. A man who was in a car accident and suffered major damage to his brain. A man who pulled through and survived a coma but now has physical disabilities he will live with for the rest of his life. Yes, my dear friend, and longtime personal driver, Malcolm Jones, did not survive the accident. But that's what this was. An accident. Something that could have happened to any one of you, or your spouse or teen drivers. It certainly shouldn't take away one's freedom. James Gallo is already paying the price. I pray the judge will see this for what it is. An accident. Thank you."

He fucking smiles and waves before climbing into the SUV. How the hell is he so smooth with this stuff? Once we are all in, the driver pulls around the front for Trisha and the dog to hop in.

"Jesus, I can't even get a haircut now?" I stammer.

"Welcome to my world, Gallo. Looks like the bodyguard may need a bodyguard of his own for a little while. Evan? Are you up for it?" Nate responds.

"Yes, sir."

"That would mean wherever James goes, you go. You would report to my place first thing in the morning and leave late at night. Or you can take Paul's room for a few weeks and stay until this die down. If that's fine with you, Paul."

"I'll be at the Avalon with Moretti." Paul reminds us.

"Up to you, Scofield." 

"Let me just go home and pack a bag, sir."

Great, now I go from being a bodyguard to needing one.

*******

*Trisha*

Once we drop Evan and Paul off to their cars, the ride home is a quiet one. James looks out his window and pets his dog silently, and neither me nor Nate know what to say. This is all a lot for Gallo.

"James, are you hungry? We could -" I start, but James cuts me off quickly.

"Do you mind taking me to go see Julia?" He asks without turning to any specific person. 

"Sure. I have my AA meeting this afternoon. We can go right when Scofield arrives, ok? I have a feeling wherever you go you may draw a crowd now." Nate answers.

"Thanks for commenting to the reporters for me." 

"Maybe by doing so, the Judge will see and do what's right."  I say in cheerful way that is a bit of an overkill that falls flat.

"Yeah, maybe." Gallo closes his eyes and rests the side of his head on the window. James is pushing me further and further away and it's noticed by everyone now.

*******

*James*

Once we drop everyone off, we head to the Avalon to see Julia. Nate walks right through the reception area like he owns the place, and no one says a word, but Evan and I need to sign in and go through the usual protocol- Making sure we aren't bringing in any kind of paraphernalia or shit patients could get high off of. By the time we get through security Nate is already outside visiting Julia.

And of course, Nate and Julia are sucking face. I clear my throat to make them detach themselves from each other.

"James!!" Julia bolts up and jumps into my arms, kissing me all over my face.

"There she goes..." Nate rolls his eyes and stands up. "I'll go talk to Jeremy about those locks."

He shakes his head, grabbing Evan to follow him. "C'mon, newbie. I need to have a meeting to catch you up to speed. Paul inside?"

"Yes, sir."

I wrap my arms around Julia and hug her. Maggie lays herself down in a sunny patch of grass.

"Nate told me about this morning." Julia says as we sit on the grass. She sits between my knees so she can lean her back against me and I wrap my arms around her.

"It's all over the news now." I speak up.

"I'm sorry, James. I hate everything about this." 

"Trial is in a few days. I'm so fucked, babe."

"No. Don't think like that. We don't know what will happen. And anyway, you require a nurse 24/7. They will see it's too expensive to put you behind bars."

"They're not going to care about my disability. And I'm so stressed out I can barely hold my own fork again. The only way I was able to hold the shot glass was because I was so wasted."

Julia turns around. "When did you get drunk?? Where?"

"I forced Gwen to take me to Sully's. I still find it funny the drunker I get the better my coordination is." I read the look on Julia's face and drop my shoulders. "D-don't worry. Nate plucked me out of the bar and his driver took me home."

"James." She looks upset. "Nate had to go into the bar to get you out?? He can't-"

"Well, he did. It was quick. He didn't drink though once we were outside, I could tell how hard that was for him. I miss getting drunk with you. I miss getting drunk with you and singing bad karaoke." I nudge her jaw with my nose. I really enjoy being with Trisha, but everything is different when I am with Julia. She just.... she gets me. I really wish things were different. I will always wish that. I'm trying to move on and move on with Trisha, but I don't feel the same chemistry as I do right here and now in this moment. I thought I would be now, I really did. But with the stress of the trial everything has been strained. It's not like that with Julia.

And it's nobody's fault. Certainly not Trisha's. 

Julia loves two men. The choice was made, and I will forever want to change it.

********