Pacey sat idly at the bar of his favorite pizza parlor on the corner of Grant Street.  A stop in for a slice at North Beach Pizza had become a tradition after his son’s Saturday afternoon little league games.  Pacey sipped on a Heineken and watched intensely as an elderly man at the end of the bar adjusted his dentures.  The TV played in the background “Up next, your 5’oclock news…”

“Wha?  5’oclock?” Pacey looked at his watch, dropped a wad of cash on the counter, and grabbed his coat.  “See ya tomorrow, Chuck!”

Pacey hopped into his Jeep Cherokee, and high tailed it down Valencia.  This was the third time this month that he’d been late to pick up Spencer.  Damn that old man and his teeth!  Pacey pulled into the driveway of the school.  His son and the bucket brigade sat on the curb while a perturbed teacher and his ex-wife looked on disapprovingly.  He leaped out of the car, “Hi Miss Winters, looking mighty lovely today, is that a new dress?”

She giggled and started collecting the children’s things, “Glad you could make it this afternoon, Mr. Witter.  The children were worried you’d had an accident.”

Pacey lifted Spencer into his arms, and swung him around.  “Hey there little man, you weren’t worried were you?  I would have been here sooner, but I had to help a little old lady cross the street, then I had to help a poor, defenseless cat down from a tree… you know, being a super hero is a time consuming job.”  He knelt down and started tickling the other children, grinning from ear to ear.

He stood up and was met with stern face.  “Hey Cassandra, glad to see you’re making an appearance as Ms. Sunshine.”

“Pacey, how could you!?  This is what, the fourth time this month?  The kids are counting on you.  If you keep this up, I just don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“Third time.  But who’s counting.”  He looked at the group of kids. “You guys know good ol’ Pacey would never let you kids down.”  He patted his chest and in an Irish accent, “I is a Witter.  And Witter’s keep their word.  Whaddya say we grab some slurpees before we hit the diamond?”

The children cheered and started loading their gear into the Jeep.  Pacey looked shamefully at Cassandra.  She lowered her voice, “Pacey, you know how much the weekends mean to Spencer… uh, look, the design company is opening a new branch down in L.A., and well…”

“Sandy, you know I’m trying to make this work.  I’ve just got a lot on my plate right now… Let me get my head screwed on first, before you go making any executive decisions.  He means the world to me, you know that.”

“Consider this your warning, Pace.  I am seriously looking to take that job in L.A., and that would mean taking Spencer with me…”

“Right, right… always the domineering type.” Pinching her cheek, “That’s what I love about you, Sandy… Look, I’ll catch up with you later, the rugrats are getting into my CD collection…”

Pacey started skipping towards his car…”Come’on kids, our brains have a date with Mr. Freeze.”

Cassandra shouted to the fleeing Pacey, “I’m serious Pacey…” She couldn’t help but stare at his tight buns leaping across the lot.  All she could do was shake her head and smile.

“What’s the point in calling it Pay at the Pump, if you’re damn credit card thing doesn’t work…?”

Pacey proceeded to confront the unruly woman, “Whoa, whoa lady.  Don’t get your $12 satin panties in a bind!  Just because you have a stylish car and credit card doesn’t mean you can waltz right in here and cut in line!”

“Excuse me, but I have important dinner…” She lowered her sunglasses.  “Pacey?”  He turned around completely.  “Pacey Witter?  Well I’ll be damned…”

Spencer tugged at Pacey’s shirt.  “Daaaaad, come on.  The sun’s going down and we need to get some practice in before our playoffs tomorrow!”  He smiled down at his son and ruffled his hair.

“Hold your horses.  The sun’s not going anywhere ‘til I give it permission.” He looked at the woman and gave her eye recognition that it was his son.  She smiled.  “I’d like you to meet someone.  Spencer, this is Josephine…” He paused a moment, looking at her…

“Potter,” she replied.  “Still Potter.”

“Little Joey Potter, as we used to call her.”  He nudged his son with is elbow.  Joey rolled her eyes.  “Guess she’s not so little anymore, eh?”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.”  Spencer stuck his hand out to shake hers. “Now come oooooooon, dad…”

“Go prep the bat mobile.  I’m on my way.”  He gazed at Joey, shocked by her glitz appearance in her Liz Claiborne power suit and wisps of hair held by a precarious clasp.  “Wow, Jo.  Fancy meeting you here in this sad excuse for a convenient store.  Do you live in San Francisco?”

Walking towards the car, “Uh, no, well… I’m here on extended business.  The company set me up in a little duplex in Nob Hill…”

Pacey coughed.  “Nob Hill?  Wow, beating men senseless with your briefcase and walking over them in your power pumps must be a lucrative business!”

“Heh, very funny.  Not quite that endearing.  More along the lines of making the world safe for crooks, thieves, and murders.”  Pacey gave her a cross look.  “I’m a lawyer.”

“Wow.  I know I said that already, but you know… gotta make a statement.  Look I know your running late, and I’ve got a car full of hellions raring to get a crack at the bat…”

Pacey helped Joey into her black Jetta. “Right, right.  Here.”  She handed him her business card. “It’s got my work, home, cell, and email information on it.  Gimme a call, we’ll do lunch.”

Clicking his heels together and saluting, “Aye, aye captain.  I just hope one of these actually works.”  Pacey shut her door.  “Drive safe.”

He stared down at the card.

Josephine L.  Potter
Attorney-at-Law

Potter.  Heh.  That ice bitch exterior of hers has been keeping her single all of these days.  But God, she’s still got that that little crinkle in her nose when she smiles.  Pacey’s warm thoughts were shattered by the screeching voices singing the latest pop trash that had infiltrated the radio.  Pacey shoved the card into his front pocket.

“Hey kids, I won’t be having any of that.”  He popped in a CD and made a goofy face in the rearview mirror, “Wild Thing… I think I love you…”

Jack looked at Pacey solemnly.  They’d become best friends during their college years.  Jack and Pacey had shared a studio in the Village, funded by Jack’s blossoming modeling career, while Pacey picked up odd jobs to keep himself occupied while Joey was in class.

“Pace, I’m so sorry, is there anything I can do to help?”  He looked into Pacey’s forlorn eyes and patted Pacey’s shoulder, “You know I am always here…”

“I know Jackers, I’m just kinda bummed.”  Pacey shook out of his slum, “Oh hey, you will NEVER guess who I ran into at 7-11!  Guess, come on!”

Jack watched Pacey’s eyes illuminate, “Could her name rhyme with snowy?”

Pacey’s body slumped down, looking sad, “How did you know?”

“Pacey, I know you too well.  Any time Joey crosses your mind, you light up like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.”  Jack stood there, shaking his head.  He’d always disapproved of their relationship after Pacey became a bumbling pussy-whipped idiot.  Sarcastically, “What is she doing in San Francisco?  Had a change of heart and come to beg for your forgiveness?”

“Always the charmer, you are.”  Pacey frowned. “I don’t know really.  She some big shot attorney here on business.  We didn’t talk much, she was running late.  She gave me her business card,” handing it to Jack.

Upon inspection, “Potter? You mean she doesn’t have some poor defenseless male dragging behind her?  Oh wait, she probably kept her last name.”

Grabbing the card, “Hey McPhee, I don’t go squashing your dreams of gym bunnies in wife beaters,” Pacey trailed off, “Anyway, she made it sound like she was unattached…”

“Oh come on, Pacey, you’re don’t seriously intend on calling her.  Need I remind you of all the times she stomped on your heart and ran it through a meat grinder?  She’s probably left a trail of men across the U.S. hunched over pleading Uncle.”

“Jack, you didn’t see her.  She’s matured into this beautiful creature.”  He grasped his heart and spun around making a grandiose gesture.  “If I were a writer, she would be my muse.  There’s a heart somewhere beneath that hardened exterior.”

“Alright, Shakespeare.”  Jack called out to the peewee players, “Great practice kids!  Let’s start packing up.”  He looked at Pacey, “I’m warning you, Witter.  Don’t do it, she’s bad news.”

“He’s got family.  If he gets first degree, the minimum is life with no parole.  Think of the kids, John, please.”  She hated defending criminals, but she limited herself to those with families in desperate need of preserving.  Thinking of all the families she’d held together and the clients she’d gotten reformed brought her solace.

“Manslaughter.  That’s it Potter,” the D. A. said from across the table.  Joey looked up at him; his words struck a cord within her.  No one had called her that since her days back in Capeside.  She remembered her chance encounter with Pacey, and thought of his young son.  A smile crossed her face-his tousled hair, his white long-sleeved undershirt, and loud Hawaiian shirt.  He hadn’t changed a bit.  Or had he?  He’s a father… and probably a husband… “Josephine?  Stop playing hard ball, take it or leave it…”

She shook out of her trance, “Fine, fine, thank you John.  Can we work out the details later, I just remembered I’m supposed to be somewhere…”

She had the sudden urge to check her voice mail.  Never had she wanted a message on her voice mail so badly.  She sat in her car anxiously playing with her flip phone.  She looked at herself in her rearview mirror as she waited for the machine to click in.  Why am I so worked up about it?  It’s just Pacey…

“You have no new messages.”  She angrily snapped her phone shut.  Damn it, why didn’t I get his number.  She popped in her Fumbling Towards Ecstasy CD and drove home somberly.

He reran that afternoon’s events through his head again.  Why did she emphasize that she was still Potter.  His fingers grazed the keyboard, aching to type her email address.  Pacey, you wuss, just email her; she probably won’t even read it.

He stared at the blank screen, pulling for the words to come to him.  After three beers, he typed:

To: jpotter
From: pwitter
Subject:  Lunch?

Hey Potter!

Don’t know if your Ass-Kicking schedule has you booked or if you’re even still interested in catching lunch.  I’ve got little league playoffs tomorrow, but Spencer and I always head down to North Beach Pizza for a couple of slices after the game.  If you’re free, you’re more than welcome to join us.

Pacey

His mouse lingered over the send button.  In a moment of weakness, he clicked it.  Pacey sighed and got up to clean up the kitchen.  A minute later, he heard the little mail bleep from Outlook Express.  His heart stopped.  What is she doing up at this hour?  Pacey hesitantly opened her response.

To: pwitter
From: jpotter
Subject: Re: Lunch?

Hey Punk, what the hell took you so long?

Well, don’t think I was sitting waiting for you to call or write me.  I’m prepping for a deposition I have tomorrow morning.  But, after that, I’d be more than happy to catch up with you.  I’d actually like to catch some of the game, where’s it at?

See ya tomorrow,
Jo

Pacey replied with the details:  Golden Gate Park @ 1pm.  He clicked send.  What the hell are you getting yourself into Pacey?  He shut his laptop and hit the shower.

She started adjusting her make up in the mirror.  She stopped applying her mascara when she saw a tall brunette with long legs walk up to the dug out.  Joey eyed her intently.  The woman waved to all the children and gave Spencer a hug.  She shook Jack’s hand and playfully punched Pacey’s shoulder.

Joey slumped in her seat.  She’d forgotten the idea that Pacey was married with a son.  Joey felt guilty for thinking solely about her romantic interests.  It had just been so long since she had a real relationship not based on trivial things like money or great sex.  She hated Pacey.  She wished her life were as wholesome as his.  Her daydreaming came to a halt when shrieks of excitement came from Pacey’s team.

Pacey and Jack ran onto the field with the team.  They screamed, shouted, and jumped with joy.  Joey got out of her car and started walking towards the field.  Waiting by the bleachers, she eyed the field for long-legs but didn’t see her.

Pacey noticed Joey out of the corner of his eye.  He nodded and started jogging over to her.  Jack followed.  “Hey Jo, enjoy the game?  Can you believe it?”

“Congratulations guys!  That was the most exciting play off game since the Subway Series of 2000!” She gave Jack a big hug.  “Hey Jack, how long has it been?  Still the beefcake, I see.”

Jack blushed, “Too long… I hear you’re here on business.”

She smiled at Pacey, “Oh yea, I don’t know how long I’m here.  As soon as I think it’s up, they send me another case.”

Pacey chimed in, “Hey Jack, we were gonna grab a few slices, wanna come?”

Jack gave Pacey a stern look, “Oh hey, sorry Pace.  I’ve got prior commitments with Stephen.  He, little Preston, and I have a date with the ball pit at Chuckie Cheese’s.”

“I’m sorry you can’t make it Jack.  Maybe next time, we’ll grab a beer or something!  It was great seeing you.”

“Joey, it’s always a pleasure.  I’ll see you guys around.  And don’t let Pacey play that damn Wild Thing song in the car.  He gets a little spastic!”

Pacey laughed, “Don’t listen to him, Jo.  I always keep both hands on the wheel.” They waved bye to Jack.  Pacey looked back to Joey and gave her the “are you ready?” look.

“Don’t you need to clean up or pick up the equipment or… say goodbye to your wife?” Joey said nervously.

Pacey grinned knowing he had the upper hand, “Oh no, that’s why there are parents.  They collect all the stuff after games.  Let me go pry Spencer from his friends.  I’ll meet you at my Jeep.”

Joey leaned against Pacey’s Jeep.  She had butterflies.  She hadn’t remembered the last time she felt so nervous.  His soft blue eyes tore right through her.  Pacey always seemed as though he hung on her every word.

Pacey walked up, holding Spencer’s hand.  “Spence, you remember Joey, right?”

“Right, the one with the $12 satin panties in a bind.”

Pacey and Joey both laughed.  “I see that the Witter wit is a growing legacy.  That’s good to know.”  Joey patted Spencer’s head, “Congrats on the fine game, young man.  I saw you catch that pop-fly in the last inning.”

Spencer smiled and hopped into the backseat.  Pacey helped Joey into her seat and shut the door.

* * *
The three of them sat in a corner booth at the back of the parlor, munching on some Sicilian style pizza.  Spencer broke the awkward silence, “Dad, can I have a few quarters to go play pinball?”

“Do I look like a bank?” Pacey said while pinching Spencer’s tummy.

Giggling, “Yeeeeeeeeeeeees.”  Pacey dug deep into his pockets, and handed over a mound of change.

“Now don’t spend it all at once, that’s your college savings, kid!”  Spencer ran off gleefully.

Joey smiled, “Wow.  I can’t believe you, Pacey.  You’ve got a wonderful life, a great kid who loves you very much, a winning team…” She paused hesitantly, “And a beautiful wife.  What more could you ask for?”

Pacey looked down at the table, feeling guilty and sad.  He looked at Joey and made a pathetic attempt to smile.  His head dropped.  Joey reached over and cupped his hands.

“Pacey, is everything alright?  Did I say something wrong?”  She tilted her head to try and look Pacey in the face.  He retracted his hands and wiped his cheek with his shirtsleeve.

“Ex-wife.  Jo, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.  I just didn’t think it was the right time. Her name is Cassandra.”  Pausing a moment to collect himself, “She’s moving to L.A. to open a design studio and she’s going to take Spencer.  I can’t let her take him.  He’s my everything.”

Joey sat quietly, stunned.  She watched Pacey who had since diverted his attention to his son.  For the first time, Joey truly noticed the similarities between Pacey and his son.  Spencer was so full of spirit and spunk.  It took her back to the days when she, Dawson, and Pacey ran wild in Dawson’s backyard.  Even through all the ups and downs of high school, those were her happiest times.  She felt worthless and empty.

Pacey nudged her back into the conversation, “Hey Jo, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen your mood.  You found my superhero weakness.  I guess that makes you my arch nemesis!”  He grinned.

Joey didn’t laugh.  She looked deeply into Pacey’s eyes. “Pacey, what happened with us?  Why isn’t this us?  Why-“

Pacey cut her off, “-Jo, it’s the past.  This isn’t the place to talk about it.  I just want to catch up, see how you’re doing-what paths life has taken you down.”

Joey straightened and slowly blinked her eyes.  “You’re right, I’m terribly sorry.  How could I have been so insensitive?  Is there anything I can do?  You know, I know I great divorce lawyer.  I don’t handle those types of cases, though, not enough money…” She trailed off.  God Jo, shut up.  You sound like a shallow-ass prick.  Joey fought with her irrational thoughts.

Pacey sat across the table, not recognizing the girl he had been in love with for the better part of his life.  She sat there cold as ice, looking lost.  He wanted to sweep her in his arms and remind her of the better days.  The times they took weekend drives into Vermont, or their trip to Martha’s Vineyard where they slept under the stars.  He wanted to show her that the most rewarding parts of life didn’t revolve around money.  He wanted show her how to love.  But he couldn’t.  He couldn’t bring himself to be put in that vulnerable position again.

“Thank you, Jo.  I appreciate it.” Joey shifted in her seat. “So tell me more about Josephine L. Potter, Attorney-at-Law.  When did you go from Georgia O’Keefe to Ally McBeal?”

Joey gave him a half-smile.  “I couldn’t cut it in the art circuit.  I don’t handle criticism too well.  I guess Dawson rubbed off on me.” Pacey frowned at the suggestion of Dawson’s name.  “I felt that I could better serve the community as a lawyer.” She sighed, “I really don’t know, Pace. I’m just tying to deal with the curveballs life throws at me.”

“You don’t have to explain, Jo.” After a while, he sheepishly looked at the table.  “And the men in your life?”

She squirmed, looking away, trying to force a chuckle.  “You wouldn’t want to know.”  She hated the sad looks he gave her.  His eyes were capable of manipulating the strongest-willed women.  “Pacey, I’m sorry.  Not only do I owe you an apology, but an explanation…” She choked, searching for the words to continue.

“I just thought you got tired of me.  I tried to give you your space.  By then end of your first year at NYU, I didn’t know who you were.  I was just sorry we couldn’t fix it.”

Tears streamed down Joey’s face, “Oh Pacey, I’m so ashamed. I don’t know who I am anymore.  I’ve become a horrible person.”

Pacey reached over trying to console her.  “That’s not true.  You know that.”  He had become a never-ending record of support slogans for Joey.  Throughout high school, Joey suffered from unshakeable insecurities.  He always loved her too much to set her straight.  The tradition carried on.

She gave him a deadpan look.  “Pacey, I left you because I was ashamed of you.”  In that moment, Pacey’s heart dropped to the floor and the rats came running to feed on it.  “I didn’t want to be seen with you.  I felt embarrassed being tied to a high school love.  I resented you because I thought you would never amount to anything and I thought you might hold me back from becoming the person I wanted to be.”

Dumbfounded, “The person you’ve become now?”

“Pacey, I had to tell you.  I’m a fool, I know.  I was wrong.  I didn’t allow myself to be loved.  I was too stupid to see all the love you offered me.” She pleaded, her groveling attempts failing miserably. “I’m so sorry, Pacey.”

Ticked, confidence growing,  “No, Jo.  I’m sorry.  I’m sorry I was such a massive detour in your grand scheme to become a shallow mega-bitch.”  Pacey would regret what he was about to say, but he wanted to hurt her.  Years of mistrust and betrayal lingered in his memory; he wanted the knockout punch.  “Working your way up from poor trailer trash with a deadbeat dad and skank sister doesn’t make for a read-worthy life story, but toss walking all over your best friends in to mix and you’ve got a winner. You know, I’m sorry you and Dawson never worked out.  You guys are two of a kind.” On the verge of tears, he gathered his things and called Spencer.  “This has been an eye opening experience, but I’m sorry I have to cut it short.  I have to get my son home.”

Spencer trailed behind his dad asking what was wrong.  Pacey helped his son into the car and shut the door.  He fell against the back of the Jeep, hunched over, tears poured down his face.  Sick with himself, he threw up.

Joey remained shackled to the booth from Pacey’s words.  At this point, the entire restaurant had focused their eyes on her.  Joey leaned her head back against the booth, closed her eyes, and a tear rolled down her cheek.  She deserved every despicable thing Pacey said.

She tried to think back to the point in her life where it all went wrong.  Scene after scene flashed through her memory of times she had mistreated Pacey.  The time she missed Pacey’s opening of Barefoot in the Park.  On the dock when she ended what never began with Pacey.  Not telling Dawson off after the regatta.  Mostly, for making Pacey do all the dirty work and her coming out unscathed.

She let out sardonic laugh.  I’m amazed he never strangled me before this.  I’m a bitch.

Joey knocked loudly on the wooden door of Jack’s Victorian-style house.  “Jack, please, we need to talk.”

Jack opened the door widely with a hard look on his face.  “Joey, what are you doing here?  Oh wait, maybe you came to tell me how you used me to get back at Dawson?  Or maybe you just wanted to make it clear why you never spoke to me in New York?”  Jack turned to head back in his house.  Still furious, he snapped at Joey, “How the hell did you get my address, anyway?”

“Jack, no!  Wait!  I’m so sorry.  I’m having a crisis.  I need to talk to someone, and you’re the only other person I know out here.  I called Jen back in New York, I figured she might have your address.”

He frowned, “Lindley!  Remind me to kill her.”

Joey started to head back down the steps. “I’m sorry, Jack.”

Jack stomped his feet and sighed. “Argh, get your ass in her Potter. I can’t believe I’m even going to listen to your pathetic story.”

They sat at Jack’s fancy glass kitchen table with black brass legs and an ornate centerpiece.  Jack poured some drinks and made himself comfortable.  “So spill, Jo.  What’d you do this time?”

Again, on the verge of tears, “I totally screwed up, Jack.  It’s worse than ever.  He just went off on me.  But I deserved it all.  I just want to fix what I can.  Jack, I need your help.  Tell me what to do.  I’ve always loved him, I’ve just been too stupid, too insecure, too whatever, to return the favor.”

Jack let out a heavy sigh, “Why am I helping you?”

“Because you’re my friend.”

“No.  Because Pacey’s my best friend, and he’s idiotic enough to take you back because he loves you unconditionally.”  Jack ran his fingers through his hair.  “Ok this is what you have to do… “

Pacey wanted to hate her.  He wanted to be free from her manipulative grasp.  He thought if he could hurt her, then he could just walk away.  But with each passing moment, he only hurt himself more.

As he sat in the chair waiting for the judge to enter, he remembered when he first encountered Joey barking her way into 7-11.  She was so self-assured and commanding.  She had become the person he had always wanted her to be.

He remembered packing his duffle bag and just walking out during one of their routine fights.  He hopped on his motorcycle and headed west.  He fell in love with many women after Joey.  He’d gotten his heart broken many times over, too.  He met his ex-wife while playing pool with Jack, who had recently followed his love cross-country to live in more gay-.friendly community.  Cassandra made him happier than he’d been in a long time.  He never looked back to those tortured days with Joey.  Until now.

He’d managed to carry on for seven years of his life Joey-free.  In the back of his mind, he always knew Joey begrudged him.  He was always too ashamed to admit it to himself and belittle his thoughts of Joey.  She was his drug and all these years he couldn’t shake his addiction.  He thought of their overly optimistic plan to get married after Joey graduated from NYU.  They’d planned to find a tiny cottage in Maine and start a family.

Why couldn’t it have worked out?  I shouldn’t be here.  I should be chopping firewood in Maine or reading the kids a bedtime story.  Pacey had run out of strength.  He couldn’t make her love him.

“All Rise.  The Honorable Judge Winthrop presiding…”

Pacey snapped out of his black hole and forced himself to his feet.

“Are all parties present and accounted for?”  The judge surveyed the room, and stopped at the empty chairs next to Pacey.  “Mr. Witter, is your counsel late?”

“No, your honor.  It’s just me today. Pretending to be a lawyer is on my top ten list of things to do before I die.”  He forced a laugh, but the judge was not amused.

“Alright Mr. Witter.  Let’s just get this show on the road.” He motioned for the room to be seated. “As I understand, we are here to determine the custody of Spencer J. Witter, son to Pacey J. Witter and Cassandra D. Myers.  Ms. Myers has been offered a job in Los Angeles and is looking to obtain sole custody of the child, correct?”  Pacey nodded.  “Ms. Myers believes that she’s entitled to sole custody because you do not have current, steady employment and that your place of residence is unsuitable for raising your son.  Would you like to tell me about your current situation, Mr. Witter.”

Pacey shuffled to his feet.  “Well, your honor.  It’s true that I don’t have steady income.  I’m a freelance graphic designer, and I take work when I need to.  As of late, I’ve been trying to spend as much time with my son as permitted.  Fortunately, being able to work at my own leisure affords me lots of time to spend with Spencer.  I’ve even been coaching his peewee baseball team for the past two months.  As for my place of residence, what is suitable for raising children these days?  I was always under the impression that unconditional love, support, and praise did the job nicely.”

“Mr. Witter, I agree.  But your son needs basic necessities.  Food on the table, clothes on his back, and a roof over his head.”

“Your honor, immediately after the divorce, I was strapped for cash, and admit to taking residence in less than optimal quarters.  Since then, I have moved into a quaint two-bedroom apartment only a few blocks from Spencer’s school.  My son is not malnourished, running naked through the streets, or sleeping in the bushes.  I love my son very much, and as much as I wish Cassandra well in her future endeavors, I can’t allow her take my son away.”

“Mr. Witter, I understand your case.  But precedence has normally given the custody to the mother of the child.  Unless you can prove that Ms. Myers’ custody would not be in the best interest of the child-“

“-You honor, wait!”  The doors of the courtroom flew open, and Joey quickly strode down the aisle.  “Josephine Potter, Mr. Witter’s Attorney.  I apologize for my tardiness.”  She kept her poise and took her place next to Pacey.  Confused, but thankful, he gave her a questioning look.  She reached down and squeezed his hand.

“Ms. Potter, I’m glad you could join us, ” the judge said condescendingly, “ I was just informing the court that Mr. Witter could retain custody if Ms. Myers situation was not in the best interest of the child.”

“Your Honor, recent developments lead me to believe that Ms. Myers is not moving down to pursue business endeavors.  A mutual friend of the couple has come forward with information that Ms. Myers is moving to L.A. not to open a design studio, but rather to move in with her new boyfriend.”  Pacey stared blankly at Cassandra.

“And who is this mutual friend, and where is he or she?”

“Here is his information your honor, his name is Jack McPhee.  He was unable to appear before the court today because he is filling in as head coach for Mr. Witter in the peewee league championship game this afternoon.”  Joey looked down at Pacey, “He also wanted me to tell you that Spencer hit a home run with two bases loaded in the second inning.”  Pacey’s face illuminated.

“That still doesn’t explain how he knows this information.”

“It’s a little complicated.  Jack is dating a man whose brother is Cassandra’s boyfriend.  Jack, Stephen, and Matt all play golf on a regular basis.  Matt was recently transferred to the air force base in L.A. and he asked Jack and Stephan for advice on how to convince his girlfriend to move down with him.  It never crossed Jack’s mind until he saw a picture of the two on Stephan’s mantle.”  Cassandra shifted guiltily in her chair and Pacey sat speechless.

Joey continued, “I know this seems pretty contrived and not sufficient reason to keep Spencer here.  But I’ve known Mr. Witter-Pacey… for just about 23 years.  Of all the people I have met in my life, I have never known anyone to give so much love unconditionally and never expect any in return.  If you could only see the passion in his eyes when he’s coaching that baseball team, and the respect and unwavering devotion he gives to those kids.  He can turn any heavy-handed situation around and find the humor, he’s funny, he’s charming, and he loves his son more than anything in the world.” Tears welled up in Joey’s eyes, unable to look at Pacey.  “We should all be so lucky to have someone so willing to sacrifice everything just to share their love with us.”  Embarrassed, Joey ran out of the room, “Excuse me, your Honor.”

“Well, well… quite the mini-drama we have here.  Ms. Myers, is there any truth to this story.”

Cassandra couldn’t look the judge in the face.  Her attorneys whispered, but said nothing.

“Well, if there’s nothing left to be said.  It is my ruling that the prior situation of joint-custody remains.  Ms. Myers, I’d appreciate it if you’d not tie up the court systems with petty things like your boyfriend in L.A.  Court is adjourned.”

Pacey had no idea what to do.  The judge’s ruling and Joey’s outward display of affection overwhelmed him.  He sat for a moment trying to keep his thoughts from running a mile a minute.  As the judge exited the courtroom, he stopped in front of Pacey,  “That’s quite a character witness you’ve got there…”

Pacey smiled.  “Yea, I guess so.”

Pacey walked down the steps of the courtroom looking for Joey.  She sat on the park bench across the street with her chin on her hands, staring at her feet.  He walked across the street paying no regard to the oncoming traffic.  He stopped at Joey’s feet.  She didn’t look up at him.

“I’m sorry.”

Joey didn’t move but broke the silence with her sniffles and erratic breathing.

“Jo, look at me.”  Pacey lifted her chin and forced her to look at him.  He wiped her tears with his thumb.  “Did you mean it?”

Joey shook out of Pacey’s grasp.  “Pacey, I’m so sorry.  I deserved everything you said.  I never meant to hurt you.  I was weak and stubborn.  You were always too good to me-“

Pacey grabbed Joey by her arms and lifted her to her feet.  “JO, DID YOU MEAN IT?”  He searched her eyes for an answer.  “Did you mean what you said in there?”

Shaken and nervous, “Yea…Yes.  Yes, Pacey, I meant it.”  She stood up straight and gave him her attention.  “It’s taken me my entire life to figure out what I wanted and who I thought I wanted to be.  I’ve searched high and low for the answers, but only until recently did I learn that I’d been asking the wrong questions.  You were the one trying to help me answer those questions, but you were my answer all along.”  She paused, brushing her hand against Pacey’s cheek and running her fingers behind his ear.  “I want to be with you Pacey.  I want to help you raise your son.  I want to have many more of your children.  I want to make up for all those years I was too afraid to love you.  Pacey, I’m finally opening the gates to you.  I love you.”

Pacey shrugged out of Joey’s hands and stepped back.  In a serious tone, “Whoa there.  What makes you think I’m ready to share my love with you again?”

Joey bit her lip and frowned.  Pacey smiled and crossed his arms waiting for an answer, lightening the mood.

Joey stepped forward and untangled his arms and put them on her hips.  “A little bird told me that you loved me unconditionally.”

Brushing Joey’s hair behind her ears and cocking his eyebrow, “Oh really? Would this little bird happen to be named Jack McPhee?”  Joey shrugged.  Pacey wrapped his arm around Joey’s waist and started walking towards his Jeep.  “Remind me to kill him.”

“Well, I hear he is subbing in for a really terrible little league coach down at Golden Gate Park today.  I bet if you drove fast, you might make it in time to give him a quick blow to the head…”

“Well then, what are you waiting for?  You’re about to get yourself another manslaughter case…” Pacey grinned and pinched Joey’s side.

She whispered into his ear, “Thank you for never giving up on me.”