She gets to the office within the shortest time and when she steps out of the car, she notices that the eyes of the employees are on her. From the securities to the clerks, everyone.
She is wondering why then she realizes just how fast she is going and how her left hand is pressing against her abdomen, she probably concludes that they know that something isn't right with her.
She walks into the building and the whole place comes to a standstill. She doesn't mind, doesn't pay any of them much attention as she keeps walking forward.
They have probably never seen Edna Jackson in a hoodie and jeans with simple sandals, so maybe it's justified that they are staring too much.
She gets to the elevator and makes her way to the floor of her father-in-law's office.
The place is not as crowded as the rest of the building and that's because not everyone is allowed to be here, she only comes here when it's absolutely necessary and Dimore being in prison is an absolute reason.
She gets to the office and her eyes rest on Murphy and this other guy who works with him. Murphy swallows a lump as he stares at her. It's like he has read her mind and he knows that she has come to confront Mister Jackson.
"Is he in?" She asks in a not-so-friendly voice.
"Yeah, I am going to let him know that you are here. " Murphy thrusts the files into the other man's hands as he tries to make it to the door, but Edna beats him to it.
Maybe it's the hostile look on her face or the way he has never seen her so worked up about something, but he tries to stop her.
Edna walks right into the office and like every other time, Mister Jackson is buried in work.
" Murphy, I told you already- " He says as he looks up and he stops halfway.
He stands up to his feet and holds his hand over his face to show displeasure.
"Jesus Christ, Edna. What the fuck are you doing here?" He groans. " Look at you, you should be home and resting. "
"Mister Jackson, I need to speak to you. " She says.
" I don't want to speak to you. " He says. " Go home and recover then we'll talk all we want. I don't know why my kids hardly listen to me. "
Edna feels her hurt belly churn with disgust. She can't believe that he is referring to her as his child, she is holding back greatly the urge to tell him that she is not his child.
If she was his child, he wouldn't pretend to be ignorant about all the abuses that she has been going through at the hands of his son. He wouldn't say he doesn't notice the times when she gets so drained trying to prove herself to him, he would pretend not to notice that his son, Keith is slowly Killing her.
He runs his hand over his head and turns around.
"Murphy?!" He calls. " Murphy, get someone to drive Edna home. "
Edna looks around, her eyes widening in confusion. He is going to send her away without listening to what she has to say.
The door opens and Murphy enters. He looks straight at his boss, avoiding Edna's eyes out of guilt.
" Look at me. " She bravely says to her father-in-law, pointing at herself. " I am in so much pain right now, pain that I can't find the word to accurately describe. The fact that I dragged my ill self over here is enough to tell you that whatever it is I want to tell you is very important."
This is the first time, the first time in years that she has gone against Mister Jackson's orders and to his face.
He is surprised too and he is looking at her, maybe trying to identify where her guts came from.
"Fine, sit. " He sighs, giving in.
Edna walks towards the table and asks and takes a seat as if she doesn't do it fast enough, he is going to change his mind.
Mister Jackson gestures to Murphy and he leaves the office just as quietly as he came in.
It's now her and Mister Jackson, just looking at each other. He is leaning against his chair, intimidatingly looking at her. It doesn't matter how intimidating he looks, she is still going to say and do whatever it takes to get Dimore out.
"Edna, I'm sorry that I don't visit you as often as I am supposed to. " He says. " I have been really busy and with you, my right hand, out of work now, things are so busy around here. But I want you to know that those thugs who shot you are going to rot in jail. "
Yeah, talking about thugs, maybe Keith should be brought to the picture. Maybe he should stop pretending that his son is not after her life. Dimore was only trying to save her.
"That's not the reason why I have come, sir. " She looks down to the floor. " I have come because I need to ask for a favor. I want my bodyguard out of jail. "
Her heat falls when Mister Jackson starts to laugh even before she gets the entire words out of her mouth.
" Are you serious, right now?" He asks her. " The same man who almost killed Keith, MY SON?"
"Keith tried to kill me first. " Edna doesn't know where the hell she gets the courage from, but she screams at Mister Jackson.
She stands to her feet and pulls her hoodie up, revealing her bandaged side.
"Weeks ago, I took a bullet right here. " She points as if he doesn't know this. " And this morning your son, Keith kicked me right in the same spot repeatedly. I was going to die if not for Dimore's timely intervention. "
She waits for Mister Jackson to wipe his face with his hand in shock and his lips quiver as he struggles to tell her that Keith didn't tell him that he did all of that, but it doesn't happen.
She has seen that calm look on his face too many times and she knows what it means. He knows what Keith did, he knows everything, but that doesn't mean he is sorry for Keith almost taking her life.
She drops her hoodie back in frustration. She is almost at the edge of tears right now.
" You are not going to let him go, are you?" She holds her hand over her mouth.
" You know, I can't. " He smiles, the sick man smiles.
Edna breaks down into tears. She falls to her knees and holds up both of her hands to him. She doesn't try to stop the tears from falling off, she wants him to see them.
"Please. " She quakes. " I haven't begged so much for something from you, please let Dimore go. "
How can he be so calm? Is this man supposed to be the devil or what? He doesn't have human feelings.
His fingers are intertwined with each other and he is looking at her, very intently.
" Go home, Edna. " He says. " I don't want you to stress over this. "
"Please. " She begs, she is not going to give up easily. " Please. "
He is not listening, he sighs and stands to his feet. He grabs his phone and briefcase. He is leaving the office.
" Murphy will drive you home." He informs her.
He is walking away, she can't watch him walk away. She goes after him and holds his hand like a little child.
He is surprised, she has never done this before, but she is ready to outdo herself.
"Seriously, Edna, I can't deal with this now. " He holds his forehead. " I'm too old for this. "
She feels a bulge form in her throat as she tries to form words in her mouth. Maybe it's the fact that she is crying so much it's because her guilt won't let her say it.
"DAD," she said it.
Mister Jackson has never been more shocked in the entirety of his life. He turns to her, transfixed, and his jaw to the floor.
She wipes her eyes with her free hand, but she doesn't let go of him with the other.
" Dad. " She repeats. She knows how much he had always wanted to hear it from her. " I have never asked you for something as much as this. Please, Dad, get him out of there. "
Her shoulders are shaking as she sobs, and her eyes are so red that they hurt now. It's worth it though because she can now see that she has touched him in the only living part of his heart.
He turns to face her fully and slowly puts his hand on her shoulder. He then takes it to her face and wipes her tears with his thumbs.
"Alright, enough with the tears. " He looks away. " Enough already. "
He helps her wipe her eyes again and to her utmost surprise, he hugs her.
" You want your silly guard out of jail?" He laughs. " You've got it. "