“Ms. Sellars… I believe now would be good time to change your statement if you feel so inclined,” the male attorney directed towards her.

“The only change will be to amend my statement to include all of these people,” she said making herself tear up.

“Jessica… come now…” her mother beseeched.

“I’m sorry momma, but I know how you and daddy wanted me to do well in school. The only way I could was by…” she sniffled and wiped at her eyes before continuing. “Was by doing what they made me do.”

“Jessica! “her father’s voice burst out in anger. “Stop it right now! You are trying to ruin the lives of all of these good people for something YOU did to THEM! Its time to stop the lying!”

“Daddy! I’m not lying!” she cried back.

Melissa cleared her throat and nodded at the tape recorder still running on the table. “I suggest you rewind that and play back what she said while you were out.” Jessica was once again in shock. She had no idea the small recorder was even on. The female attorney quickly grabbed the tape recorder and rewound it to the beginning. After pressing play, everyone listened attentively as they heard the female lawyer asking Cecilia for her statement. The previous minutes replayed through the small speakers and everyone heard Jessica enter the room, the attorneys speak and then leave, and finally the words Jessica spoke while they were gone. Only the sound of Jessica’s voice could be heard as she spouted her competence at lying and told Cecilia what could have averted Jessica’s accusations. All eyes watched Jessica as her tears became real and she stared at Cecilia open mouthed.

“I believe this meeting is concluded. Dr. Hammond, we are sincerely sorry for this inconvenience. Ms. Sellars, I suggest you retain an attorney. The university will be filing suit against you for providing false information and in the attempted slander of several members of its faculty.” Cecilia leaned over the arm of her chair and hugged Melissa before standing up to go to Marina. Both women smiled and thanked the men and women that had bravely come forward to help Cecilia fight for her reputation. Jessica’s parents spoke with the university attorneys and stood by their daughter as she continued to stare Cecilia down.

As each person left, Cecilia thanked them again. When it was finally down to Marina, Cecilia, Melissa, Jessica, and her parents, Cecilia turned to Jessica. “Jess I hope you get help,” she said softly.

“Fuck you!” was her response as she quickly got to her feet and stormed from the room with her parents on her heels. Before leaving, Mr. Sellars stopped and looked at Cecilia.

“I’m sorry,” he said extending his hand. “If there is ever anything I can do…”

Cecilia grasped his hand and placed her other one on top of it. “Please just get her some help,” she said sincerely. He nodded his head and followed his wife and daughter out the door.

“Another satisfied client,” Melissa said smiling as she packed her briefcase.

“What would I do without you?” Cecilia said grinning back at her friend.

“Oh… I don’t know… lose your job, lose your woman, and end up on skid row?” Melissa joked.

“She’d never lose me,” Marina said slipping her arms around Cecilia’s waste from behind.

“And thank you for making sure the rest of that doesn’t happen,” Cecilia said before her and Marina reached out to embrace Melissa.

“That’s what I’m here for! We still meeting at the Planet tonight?”

“You bet… 8 o’clock sharp!” Marina said before turning to Cecilia.

“See you then,” Melissa said and exited the room.

The two women stood facing each other with smiles still on their faces. “Do you remember all of those stories you told me over the phone?” Marina asked slipping her arms around Cecilia’s waste.

“Yes,” Cecilia said as she placed her own arms around Marina’s neck.

“Did any of them end happily ever after?” Marina questioned. Cecilia smiled and leaned in to place her lips close to Marina’s as she looked into her eyes.

“Only ours,” she whispered before capturing Marina’s lips with her own.

After a few moments, Marina pulled away and reached for Cecilia’s hand. Returning Cecilia’s gaze, Marina repeated, “Only ours.” The two women then walked hand and hand out of the office and into their future.

THE END… maybe