The Tables Have Turned

"Yeah, things will sort out on their own, I think," Addock nodded.

"We had much higher profile cases at my old firm. We'll be fine with the Wilson case, I assure you." There was a pause in the songs on the radio, and Stephen cleared his throat awkwardly.

"So...out of curiosity, what do you think of Florence. He's, uh, been your assistant a while, right?"

Addock nodded, looking in Stephen's direction. "Florence has been my assistant for almost 6 years now. We're really close, he's a bit like a brother to me, as cliche as it sounds. We've been good friends for a long time. You two have been getting along, I hope? Florence is a bit strange, but once you get used to him he's not so bad."

"Oh, we've been getting along alright," he muttered, rolling his eyes. "But anyway, if Florence is so close to you, why'd he skip out on this party? Sheesh. Douchey of him."

"I don't know, he said I'd get mad if I knew. Probably going on a date with another lose. He has horrible taste in significant others..." Addock sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Oh well, let's just hope he realizes sooner rather than later that they're no good."

"Wow. What a flakey guy," he chuckled. "At least you have the best lawyer in the firm to drive you, right?"

He pulled into a parking space and helped Addock out of the car, being very careful not to touch Maggie. "Let's go start a party."

Addock walked beside Stephen as Maggie led him into the building as she was accustomed to doing. He could hear that there were already quite a few people there and everyone was chatting. He made the rounds, greeting and talking to people for a little bit before he situated himself in the corner of the big room where he could drink in relative peace and listen to the conversations around the room.

He ate a piece of cake and fed the crumbs to Maggie as he listened to people chatting all around him.

Stephen socialized with people throughout the party, but it wasn't long before he joined Addock in his corner. "Hey, man--what're you doing back here? You came to party, didn't you?"

"Do I really look like the type of person who enjoys partying, Stephen?" he asked, smiling as he pet Maggie. "No, I just have to hang around for a while and then I can go home and read. Party's like this a bit too loud for my tastes."

He handed him a cup, making sure he had gripped it firmly before letting go.

"Have a drink--it's eggnog. I'm the one driving, so go ahead and get boozed up. That's what I do when I'm not enjoying a party. Well, one of the things." He leaned against the wall, glaring at Maggie.

"What are the other things?" Addock asked, then he paused. "Or, maybe I don't want to know. Never mind. Thanks for drink, Stephen."

He took perhaps a bigger gulp than he intended to of the eggnog, sighing heavily afterwards. "Don't mind me. Go have fun."

"Nah, I'm fine--I've always hated Christmas parties. Take another sip and lighten up." He elbowed him in the ribs, grinning. "Come on--if you don't smile soon, I'm not gonna leave you alone."

Addock took another long gulp, leaning back in his chair. "By the way, did you find the present over there for you?"

"A present?" he asked, raising his brow. "Why the hell would there be a present for me?"

Addock smiled to himself.

"Go look," he insisted.

Stephen slowly walked to the presents, his hands in his pockets. He refused to look eager, expecting there to be nothing--Addock was blind, after all. But sure enough, there was a brightly wrapped package with his name on it. He subtly snatched it from the table and walked back to Addock, frowning absently.

"Found it," he admitted, leaning against the wall again. "Why? I haven't been working here that long."

Addock grinned as he finished off the glass of eggnog. He sighed contently as he finally felt more comfortable.

"Go ahead and open it. I think you'll enjoy it," he said with a knowing smile.

Stephen carefully peeled away the wrapping paper and opened the box, revealing a mug.  He stared at it in confusion; the mug read "World's Best Physical Therapist."

"...Who gave me this?" he asked carefully.  He had a good idea, but he wanted to be sure.

Addock smiled and pet Maggie's head.

"You drink a lot of coffee, so I figured you deserved a little pick me up," he replied. "I hope it's alright, I had Florence help me pick it out."

"...Why this mug in particular?" he asked carefully, unable to hold back a smile; all those blind jokes he had spouted over the years, and he didn't have the heart to make the best one yet. "Not that it isn't nice, it's just...the words on it. You really think that...fits?"

Addock rose an eyebrow.

"Is something wrong with the mug?" he asked, frowning suddenly.

"Well, I mean, you know what it says. You picked it out, right? But why me? Certainly there are other more deserving of this kind of title."

"Well, of course, there are, it's not meant to be serious, I just figured you'd enjoy the ego boost of being 'world's best lawyer'," Addock replied, still confused.

Stephen grinned, his laughter threatening to escape; he covered his mouth with his hand until he regained his composure. Now was not the time for mirth.

"...Ah. I see. Well, if you think I can live up to it," he chuckled, placing the mug back into the box. "So Florence helped you pick it out? A shame he can't even be here. Has he been flaky a lot lately?"

"Mm," Addock pursed his lips. "I think he has a new boyfriend he's not telling me about. He knows I never approve of his boyfriend. Florence has awful taste in men."