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offenders in the state, the country even.
    â€œThere must be something to what she’s saying. Tulane Law Clinic doesn’t take on cases just because an inmate talks a good game,” Derrick replied.
    â€œFine, I wish her well. Thanks for telling me.” Talia nodded as though filing it away neatly in a special mental and emotional compartment. “Now let’s do justice to this wonderful meal.”
    â€œThat’s it? Your mother is fighting for parole on a forty-year drug sentence, and you just take the news and go on eating?” Derrick lowered his voice.
    â€œIf you were expecting me to book a flight and rush home for a warm family moment, get real.” Talia folded her arms in a defensive posture.
    â€œNo, but after so many years maybe it’s time for some kind of closure, some kind of resolution. If not for her, then for you.”
    â€œYou’ve been watching too many talk shows. I can’t count the number of times Monette let me down. Hell, kicked me down is more accurate.”
    â€œAll right, I can’t argue with you on that.” Derrick took a deep breath and let it out. “The other thing is—”
    â€œOh, happy day. More good news from home,” Talia mumbled.
    â€œThere might be some publicity, big-time. Monette is worried that you’ll be hurt when all this hits the fan.” Derrick held up both hands when Talia glanced at him sharply. “Like I said, she won’t give more details.”
    â€œTypical Monette. No normal appeal for parole for her, no ma’am.” Talia let out a sharp laugh.
    Derrick wore a half smile. “Yeah. The day I visited her she was all made up. She dropped a few hints about maybe being on 20/20 or 60 Minutes .”
    â€œMy mother has always aspired to national fame. Notoriety on a local scale never seemed enough for her.” Talia waved a hand. “I can deal with it if push comes to shove.”
    He gazed at her with skepticism. She was taking that last bit of news too well. “Really?”
    Talia’s eyes narrowed to slits. “No one will connect her to me.”
    â€œWhat about digging up too much history?” he murmured.
    Talia’s smile turned into a grimace. “If she says one word to hurt you, I’ll personally help them throw away the key to that damn prison cell.”
    â€œShe’d never do that.”
    â€œMonette would turn on anyone if it suited her purpose.” Talia leaned across the table. “You tell her what I said!”
    â€œWhy don’t you tell her? I think you should talk to her face-to-face. Maybe you wouldn’t feel so angry.”
    â€œI know what you’re trying to do, but it’s too late.”
    â€œYour mama really wants to protect you.” Derrick squeezed her hand.
    â€œShe’s about twenty-five years too late.” Talia lifted her chin. “I don’t need her now.”
    â€œMaybe she needs you.”
    â€œMonette is good at manipulating men. Especially men with a soft spot for women in trouble,” Talia said. “Don’t fall for her line of bull.”
    â€œI’m even less gullible than an army of legal sharks. Remember, I grew up hard, too.” Derrick held his own demons from the past at bay.
    â€œLike I said, your one weakness is rescuing women. It can get you into deep trouble.”
    â€œI take care of myself pretty well. Don’t worry about me.”
    They gazed at each other for a long time, in silence, without moving. Talia let out an audible sigh. “We have this habit of looking out for each other.”
    â€œBeing apart for years doesn’t seem to matter, does it?” he said quietly.
    They’d met in elementary school on a dusty playground. At the time Talia was in the third grade and Derrick was in the fourth. They had recognized each other, two kids who hated going home most days, Derrick because of his father and Talia because of her mother.
    Talia