“I came with Stu. His review hearing was today as well,” she said. I looked around but didn’t see him.

“Oh, so you guys are together now?” I asked.

“I think. I hope so anyway,” Dania smiled.

“That’s great, I guess,” I gave her a small smile in return. I knew this was something she always wanted. I should feel happy for her. But in truth it simply depressed me.

“Is he in the courtroom?” I asked.

“Nope. His ass was taken back to jail,” she said dismissively.

“What?”

Dania shrugged. “His last piss test came up dirty and his PO reported it to the judge. He hasn’t done any of his service hours either. So the judge threw him back in jail for two weeks.”

“And you’re okay with that? I mean if you’re dating now, shouldn’t that bother you?” I asked her, flabbergasted.

Dania shrugged again. “It’s only two weeks.” And there it was. The biggest gulf between us. I could no longer share her blasé attitude about things like right and wrong. I knew better now.

“So what are you still doing here then?” I asked.

“I’m just waiting for Shane to finish up with the clerk. His probation was extended another twelve months but at least he’s not in jail,” she said, spitting her gum out in a tissue and tucking it underneath the seat.

“Well shit. That makes me a little nervous. It sounds like the judge is a bit of a ball buster.” I had been feeling good. Confident. Now I wasn’t so sure.

Dania narrowed her eyes, her face suddenly dark and mean. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. Ellie McCallum always lands on her feet, right?”

What the hell?

Before I could ask what her problem was, Shane came over.

“Hey there girl! Long time no see!” He leaned down and gave me a hug and I was relieved he hadn’t tried to cop a feel in the middle of the courthouse.

“Dania just told me they extended your probation period. That sucks,” I commiserated.

Shane lifted his hands. “What can you do? It’s the cost of being such a bad ass,” he grinned like an idiot.

Dania smacked him in the stomach. “Or the cost of being a total moron,” she said, her voice teasing but her eyes were cold.

“You’ve got a hearing too?” Shane asked.

“Yep. Let’s hope I don’t end up next to Stu,” I laughed nervously.

Shane chuckled. “I’ll bake a file in a cake if you do,” he promised, patting my shoulder.

We all laughed awkwardly together.

“You ready to go, D?” Shane asked, clearly ready to get out of there.

Dania looked over at me and shook her head. “I’m gonna wait for Ells. Give her some moral support,” she said, giving me what seemed to be a sincere smile

Oh shit. That was the last thing I wanted. Not when I was supposed to meet Flynn afterwards.

“That’s okay, Dania. You don’t need to do that. I’ll call you if anything goes down,” I urged, hoping she’d go.

Dania frowned and gave me a piercing look. “No, I’ll stay. It’ll give us a chance to talk. We haven’t done that in a while and we need to figure some things out about the apartment,” she said.

Damn it! She was going to be harder to shake than a case of Hepatitis.

Before I could argue further, Mr. Cox and Julie came back and said it was time for me to head to the courtroom.

“I’ll wait for you out here. Catch up on my bass fishing,” she said picking up a fishing magazine dated ten years ago.

I left Dania and followed my probation officer into the courtroom. Julie grabbed me before we could head inside.

“Good luck, Ellie! You’ve done so well! I’m proud of you,” Julie hugged me hard and I let her. It felt good.

There were quite a few people inside and I sat down with Julie and Mr. Cox near the back.

The judge was running behind so I wasn’t called forward for another half an hour. I remembered the judge. It was the same one I had stood in front of as a smart mouthed teenager.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

I was sweating bullets by the time the bailiff called my name.

“Your honor, Miss McCallum has met all of her probationary requirements. She has completed her community service hours and has been described by her supervisor as an asset. She is currently attending Black River Community College and is taking classes. She has passed all of her urine and blood tests and has held down a full time job at JAC’s Quick Stop for over two years. It is my recommendation for her probation period to be suspended and charges to be expunged from her record,” Mr. Cox reported.

The judge, a small man with a bald patch on top of his head, made a few notes before turning his attention to me.

“Well, it sounds like you’ve made a complete turnaround from the teenager who stood before me years ago,” he said, peering at me over his glasses.

Crap, he did remember me!

“Yes, Your Honor. I’m trying,” I said meekly. I folded my hands in front of me and kept my face attentive.

“I just saw two of your friends earlier. They don’t seem to be following your path.” He was of course talking about Stu and Shane.

The judge clicked his pen a few times while he regarded me. “You are judged by the people you associate with, Miss McCallum. We live in a small town and opinions are formed rather quickly. I know your reputation as I’m sure you do as well,” he said, leveling me with a firm look.