Chapter 9: I just Wanted to Play Soccer
Danny collapsed to his knees at hearing Lacey's words. She was pregnant. He slowly laid the gun in front of him then pushed it away. His eyes stayed fixated on Lacey as he slowly placed his hands behind his head. The people in the courtroom seemed frozen in place due to hearing Lacey's proclamation.
Eddie was the first to respond as he hurriedly grabbed up the gun. That set another officer in motion as he pushed Danny to the courtroom floor. He cuffed Danny's hands behind him before pulling Danny up. Danny's eyes never left Lacey's eyes as he was pulled away from the courtroom.
Once the doors closed behind Danny, Judy grabbed Lacey and spun her around to face her. "Stop this. I know you wanted to save him from himself but don't ruin your reputation for that boy. And how does your being pregnant help Danny?"
Lacey bit her lip as her eyes burned due to the crying of before and the new tears forming. "I am pregnant." Came a low whisper from Lacey's mouth. "And Danny is the father."
Judy's mouth flew open but no words could form. She then angrily pulled Lacey out of the room before anyone could question the teen girl. For the first time, Karen stared over at Vikram. His eyebrow jutted up questioningly. Karen simply shrugged not knowing what was going on.
"Well...ummm...That was news." Jo smiled a fake smile as she glanced at her dad then her mom. "Good thing that Danny only has eyes for Lacey. Huh?"
The grown ups glanced at Jo like she had a third eye. Jo raised her eyebrows slightly before adding in a low voice. "Just saying."
Karen drew in her bottom lip. Somehow with Lacey's revelation, she had stopped crying. "I need to check on Danny. Can I see him before they escort him to prison?" She addressed Kyle.
Kyle nodded. "Danny will be held until his sentencing . Of course you know that can take a while. But not over 35 days before the sentence hearing. I'm positive the judge and prosecution will want him sentenced as soon as possible. Could be next week. I'm not sure where he will be kept whether in county or local.."
"He better be held in Green Grove Police Department." Vikram's demand startled the crowd. "My son being abused while in police custody will be addressed."
Vikram stared at the two officers that had beaten Danny. They glanced at one another when realization that this man was serious.
"He will be." The judge stood up to leave. "In the mean time, you all need to clear the courtroom."
The judge left as did everyone else. In the hallway, Danny's attorney assured the Desais that Danny had very good aspects of appeal.
"The change of venue was denied. I'm sure we can bring up bias in his appeal. Danny being beaten up while in police custody is something I can use for that. I am going to look into some things. There should have been enough reasonable doubt not to convict him. Lacey Porter's testimony alone gave sufficient doubt of Danny being near Regina when she was murdered." The lawyer scratched his head. "I estimated the time for the jurors. It all seems a little too convenient for me. Don't give up hope."
Karen wrapped her arms tightly around herself. "Danny is going to be a daddy according to Lacey. I didn't even know they were like that with one another."
"You're about the last to know because of that video." Jo quipped. "Judy doesn't look like she was privy to that information either."
"What video?" Karen and Vikram asked at the same time.
Judy remained silent as she drove from the court house. She stopped momentarily to pick up Clara from gymnastic practice. Clara was waiting on the steps when they arrived. Therefore, she got in the car without Judy or Lacey having to get out. Judy continued to drive towards their home in silence.
Clara noticed the tension on her sister's and mother's face. Lacey was looking out the window as she watched and counted each tree that went by. Clara frowned slightly when she saw a tear run down Lacey's cheek.
"You told her, Mom." Clara folded her arms over her chest. "Don't be so selfish, Lacey. It is my future."
"What?" Lacey turned to stare at her sister in the back seat. "What are you talking about?"
"I didn't tell her yet, Clara." Judy swallowed as she looked in the rear view mirror at Clara. "I was waiting until tomorrow. Remember?"
"Then what has her panties in a wad?" Clara questioned sarcastically as the car came to a halt in front of their house.
Judy squeezed the steering wheel before leaning her head on the leather binding. "Not now, Clara."
For a few minutes, they all remained eerily quiet as they waited for Judy to get out of the car. Clara rolled her eyes before opening the car door and exiting. Clara's slamming of the car door shut caused Lacey and Judy to react by getting out. They walked into the house without a word said between them.
Lacey drew in a deep breath. "What are you talking about telling me?"
Judy stared angrily at Lacey. "I can't believe you!" She blew out in irrate words. "Of all people. Danny Desai!"
"I love him." Lacey bit her lip as tears threatened to once again make their appearance.
"You are getting an abortion!" Judy screamed at her daughter. "I'll make you an appointment as soon as I can."
"NO!" Lacey wailed out. "I haven't had time to think of what I want for the baby..for myself."
"Don't be ridiculous, Lacey!" Judy threw her arms up in the air. "The father of your child was just found guilty of murder!"
"Hold up a minute." Clara butted in. "Lacey is pregnant?"
"NOT NOW, Clara!" Lacey screamed towards her little sister.
"Don't speak to her like that." Judy reprimanded. "Your selfish ways are not going to ruin her life too."
"How is my being pregnant going to ruin Clara's life?" Lacey begged for an answer.
"It won't. Because you are not keeping the baby!" Judy growled out angrily.
"What?" Lacey collapsed into a chair nearby. "I am. I want it."
"I am not missing the trip for her." Clara interjected. "It isn't my fault she got knocked up."
"Clara." Judy rubbed her temples. "You will not miss this opportunity. I promise you. Lacey will get the abortion and we can go on like this never happened."
Lacey shook her head in disbelief. Her mother wasn't listening. She wasn't ready to make a decision like that. She wasn't sure if she ever could. Lacey held her knees as she asked again. "What opportunity? What is going on?"
Judy stood glaring at her oldest daughter. "Clara has been chosen by the new gymnastic teacher to go for training for the U.S. Olympics. It seems Mitch was holding her back due to wanting to keep her with him. We all know that was to keep in contact with your father. Any way, we will be moving to Seattle, Washington next month."
"What?" Lacey stood up. "I can't leave Green Grove. I have.." She no longer had friends here.
"Friends?" Judy laughed haughtily. "I think you cut those ties when you slept with the boy that murdered their friend. You have nothing here, Lacey."
"I have Danny." Lacey stated with hurt words. "He will be in prison in New York."
"I've had it with you." Judy stepped up getting in Lacey's face. "As far as you're concerned, Danny Desai may as well be dead along with that b#S*rd of his that you are carrying."
Eddie was in the room with Danny. Danny was bent over holding his knees.
"Are you okay, kid?" Eddie asked concerned.
"I can't breathe." Danny stammered out. "I can't breathe."
Kyle pushed Danny towards a chair. "Sit down, Danny. You're hyperventilating. Calm down."
Danny cupped his hands together as he took shattered breaths.
Karen made it into the holding room to see Danny breathing rapidly. She knelt in front of him. "Danny, I'm here."
"I just wanted to play soccer." Danny said as his breathing escalated more. "I only wanted to take Lacey on real dates, to attend high school, to make a few friends." Danny studdered out between breathes. "I wanted to feel like a kid again. I haven't felt like that for so long." He cupped his face trying to breathe. His lungs seemed to be voiding themselves of air.
"Calm down, Danny." His mother repeated. Karen entwined her arms around her son. He sounded so young and small. He hadn't sounded like a kid since the day he wrapped a rope around Tara's neck.
"I can't breathe." Danny's chest felt like it was tightening. He was going to be a dad. A dad who was in prison. A dad who was too young to go to prison or have a child.
Karen didn't know what to do. She remembered Danny when he was very sick at the age of three with the flu. He had cried all night and ached for days. Karen closed her eyes as she began to rock Danny's body with hers. She sung to Danny as she rocked his body.
"Rock a bye baby in the tree top, When the wind blows,
the cradle will rock. When the bow breaks the cradle will fall.
Mommy will catch baby cradle and all."
Danny pulled back from his mother. His breathing finally slowing to a normal pace. "It is supposed to say down will come baby cradle and all."
"I'll always catch you when you fall, Danny." Karen stated as she pushed Danny's hair from his face."