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We took our seats, grabbing a table by the only window in the room, next to the constantly humming vending machines.
I wasted no time in asking, “Are you okay? Has anyone hurt you?”
Hazel shook her head, the shake ending in a tear-filled nod.
“It’s so scary, Sam. I shouldn’t be here, I didn’t do anything…” She took a breath, broken by a rogue cry. “An officer helped me out and moved me to a less crowded cell, but still, I feel the stares. I hear the terrible comments. It’s only a matter of time…” More cries. I reached across the table and grabbed her hand in mine.
“I’m getting you out, okay? I’m going straight to a bail bondsman when I leave. You’re not spending another night in here.”
“You can’t pay my bail, Sam. I wouldn’t let you even if you could.”
I shook my head, feeling a well of sorrow rise inside me. “I don’t care what I have to do, Hazel. I’m getting you out.”
She tightened her lips into a weak smile. It looked like a smile that a mother gave their delusional child. ”Yes, honey, of course you can sleep on a bed of candy.”
The door buzzed open and a guard stepped in. A couple of the visiting guests looked toward the door, most likely expecting the guard to head toward them and tell them their visiting time was up. Someone else walked in after him, a woman wearing a sharp maroon blazer over a white blouse, tucked into a tailored pair of black pants. The guard pointed in our direction. Her heels echoed off the floor as she cut across the room, winding through the tables, heading straight for us.
“Hazel?” she asked as she drew closer.
“Um, yes.” Hazel looked up at the woman with clear questions in her eyes.
“Hi, Hazel, I’m Shonda Morrison, from the Morrison and Juliet Law Firm. It’s great to meet you; unfortunately it’s under these circumstances.” Shonda put a hand out which Hazel warily shook. The name of the law firm rang a bell, but I couldn’t place where I had heard it before.
“I’m sorry, I’m a little confused.” Hazel looked from Shonda to me, her eyebrows practically knit together. “I never hired an attorney… are you like a public defender? Are you doing this for free?”
“Oh I’m getting paid.” Shonda’s glossy lips curved into a smile. “But don’t worry about the tab.”
It clicked into place just then. “You’re Shonda Morrison!” I repeated, as if she hadn’t said that already. “From TV, holy crap. You were all over the news. You helped defend that huge national case with the New York governor.”
And she also must cost a fortune. What the hell was she doing here?
“Is that true?” Hazel asked.
Shonda nodded, a short strand of brown hair falling across her forehead. “It is. Now come on, let’s get you into some nicer clothes and get you out of here.”
The confusion was reaching a maximum. “But my bail—”
“Has been paid,” Shonda said. She motioned toward the door, where a guard stood with his hands on his belt. “Let’s go.”
Hazel looked to me. “Did you do this, Sam?”
“No…”
We stood up, the uncomfortable steel chairs screeching against the scratched floor. There were a few glances thrown our way, and the whispers were beginning to escalate into a constant buzzing. People were recognizing Shonda. She stuck out, with her expensive clothes and powerful air. Even if someone hadn’t known her from TV, they still could easily assume that Shonda Morrison was someone who you wanted on your side and not the other way around.
“Perfect,” Shonda said, turning to the guard and waving him over. “Can you please take her to collect her things and get her processed? We’ll be waiting outside.”
“Sorry, Ms. Morrison.” Hazel’s head tilted down to the floor. “I won’t be able to pay you… not as much as I’m assuming you charge. I—”
“Again, don’t worry about it. Someone’s covering your tab.”
That piqued my interest. Hazel had a good number of friends, but I didn’t know of any who could cover her bail along with the bill for one of the top attorneys in America. Judging by the look of surprise on her face, Hazel had no idea who it was either.
“Really?” she asked, the corners of her brown eyes beginning to fill with tears. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” Shonda must have seen the tears coming. She opened her arms and, surprising even the guard, pulled Hazel into a tight hug. “I’ve heard your story, and I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through over the past twenty-four hours. I promise to make sure everyone else hears your story, too. You’ve got a lot of people who care for you, Hazel. And now there’s just one more to add to the pile.”
Hazel sniffled and wiped away the tears as she nodded and repeatedly said thank you. I hadn’t realized I was crying until the tears dripped down over my top lip. I wiped my face as Hazel was taken by the guard, her head held much higher than when she initially walked into the visitors’ center.
