Page 114 of Mistaken Prejudice

Chapter 35

Daniel

Twelve hours earlier

I had the longest day in court today, followed by an unpleasant conversation with one of my lawyers, Soren Dane. He was an outstanding young lawyer. A real killer. An asset to my New York team. The only problem was his nasty attitude that had the tendency to slip and get the better of him. Take today for example, when he decided to tell the client to shove his concerns up his ass and let him do his job. So as I was saying, thanks to the conversation we had regarding our lawyer-client policy, I was almost late for my flight. On top of that, there was a delay, and I was an hour and a half late.

Elliot was on eggshells by the time he met me and my assistant, Cole, outside the airport. I hated to leave him and Miles alone while the two were distressed, but this time, I had no choice. We had the closing argument of a big case in NYC, and my attendance was necessary.

Miles’s behavior was alarming, but from our previous experience, we had to attend to the matter cautiously and with much subtlety. Not because we didn’t care. That would be an outrageous thought considering he was the center of our universe, but because of how raw and vulnerable the subject was.

Again, there was no shame in mental health disorders, but accepting life alongside it was not an easy process. Because of the stigma around mental health, many people saw it as a flaw, a perception that could hold back recovery. Since it wasn’t an easy journey for adults, let alone teenagers, we’d done everything we could to help Miles understand that his condition did not define him but was a part of him he’d learn to live with. Elliot and I also had a lot to learn. For starters, how not to minimize his experience or underestimate his feelings.

“I’ve been gone for too long. Miles is probably worried,” my sweet Elliot said nervously in French while bouncing his leg. He’d been doing that since we got into the back seat of my car forty-five minutes ago. LA traffic, what a blast.

“You said Shay-Lee is with him, didn’t you?” I asked and rested my hand on his upper thigh in an attempt to calm down his nerves.

“Yes, I did,” he said. “But I’m still worried.”

From how Cole tilted his head from the driver’s seat, I knew he was listening to us. He was a good secretary, but he became a bit of an eavesdropper since he started taking French lessons. Although I did appreciate him learning French for the sake of making Elliot feel more welcome and understood.

“Don’t be. We both know how much Shay-Lee cares for Miles. So he’s in good hands.” The love that kid held for Miles was obvious for anyone to see. Anyone but Miles, apparently.

“You think so?”

“I’m positive.” I moved a stray lock of dark hair away from his beautiful face and kissed the top of his head. “And I’ll call Dr. Schwartz as soon as we get home. All right?”

He nodded before he scooted closer in a way that allowed me to wrap an arm around him.

“Cole, make a turn here. It will get us home faster,” I asked in French because I attempted to only speak French around Elliot whenever possible. The only time I slipped was when I was drunk.

“Yes, sir,” he replied from the front seat before he turned left the way I asked him to.

“He isn’t answering my calls,” Elliot said, worry written on his face. I understood the worry. I was worried too. But I also promised Miles and myself that I’d always give him the benefit of the doubt. He was allowed to be angry, distressed, and sad regardless of his condition. And we, as his parents, should not underestimate him and be quick to stress.

“Elliot, my love, he’s going through his first breakup. It’s not easy, as you may know. Don’t you think he deserves a little more credit than what we’re giving him?”

“I know. I know,” he said while tickling his cheek with his finger. It was another one of his nervous ticks, which I recognized very well.

Grabbing his hand in mine and moving it to my lap, I spoke, “Just relax, my love. Miles is a responsible young man dealing with something that isn’t easy. Not only that, but he’s also learning to take responsibility for his actions.”

“He had sex with Andrei in your office, Daniel. Isn’t that alarming?”

Walking in on my teenage son getting on his knees for his boyfriend, whom I’d offered to be my intern, was a memory I would like to forget. To be precise, I didn’t catch them in the act itself, but the evidence was clear enough. And yet, being wild in the bedroom did not indicate the state of your mental health. In fact…

“How many times did we do it in my office?”

Cole chuckled from the front seat, and I gave him a raised eyebrow through the mirror that made him drop the smile.

“I guess you’re right,” Elliot mumbled quietly, almost to himself, before he took a deep breath. “But still call Dr. Schwartz, okay? Miles has been very sad the past week.”

“Of course, my love.”

We rolled into our driveway a while later and parked the car in the garage.

“Perhaps Miles would like some tea. I’ll bring some to his room,” Elliot said as he got out of the car, with me walking behind.

“That’s a good idea, dear.”