"Noah," He said frantically shaking the body beside him. "Noah, please wake up…please you have to wake up. Don't do this to me, Noah, please." He had tears in his eyes as he tried harder to shake the man he loved. His body felt cold, but he didn't want to think about what that meant. He just wanted Noah to open his eyes; he needed him to be okay. "God Noah, please, you can't be gone."
"It's over Luke," another voice informed him. Luke turned and found himself facing cold blue eyes…they looked even more sinister in the dark. "Noah's gone and you belong to me."
Luke turned away from that gaze; focusing on the limp body of his husband…he was so cold and lifeless. Tears filled Luke's eyes as he touched him again. "Noah," he said his voice cracking. "God Noah I need you why did you leave me?"
"I see Noah enjoyed the mushrooms," Randy said coming closer. "They contained just the right amount of poison. He can't hear you Luke, you belong to me now."
"No, you stay away from me," Luke yelled. He cradled Noah in his arms and tried to warm him up. He just did not believe he was gone. "Noah." he said rocking the body back and forth as if somehow he could will him to return to his body. "Please don't leave me."
"It's time to let go, Luke. I told you I would have you in the end."
Noah disappeared, as if he had been an apparition, and Randy advanced, and all Luke could think to do was scream. "NOAH!"
He woke with a start, his breathing fast as he tried to gasp for breath. Quickly he looked around, realizing immediately that he was in his bedroom. He felt arms wrap tightly around him and he started to cry.
"What's wrong?" Noah asked waking and trying immediately to soothe Luke.
"I can't do this." Luke said trying to regain his composure. "I can't do this Noah, I can't."
Noah didn't have to ask him what he was talking about, but he was concerned that Luke seemed so visibly shaken. He moved to sit up and pulled Luke into his embrace, trying his best to do away with the endless stream of tears. He turned Luke until he was facing him, and he cupped his face in his hands, kissing his cheeks and his eyelids before pressing his lips against Luke's soft ones.
Luke started to calm down when Noah's lips touched his and the tears stopped falling. He rested his forehead against Noah's and let it rest there. Silence reigned and Luke was grateful for the moment of reprieve. He could tell by the look in Noah's eyes that he was scaring him, and he didn't blame his husband either. Sometimes he even scared himself.
"Now," Noah said his voice calm and soothing. "Can you tell me what happened?"
"It was just another bad dream." Luke said pulling away and moving to get out of bed.
"Don't do that," Noah replied softly. "Don't downplay your feelings because you don't want to burden me. You know I'm here for you, and if you hide things from me it makes me worry."
"I know," Luke answered. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his head down as he tried to rationalize things in his head.
"What can't you do, Luke?"
"I can't take him to court, Noah. I can't do it."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want to lose you…and if I do this then I'm going to lose you."
"Ummm, Luke," Noah said coming to sit by his husband's side. "How did you come to that conclusion?"
"They aren't going to believe me," Luke said shaking his head. "They aren't going to believe my story and Randy is going to exact his revenge and he's going to hurt you. I can't let that happen."
"Calm down, Luke," Noah said placing a hand on his shoulder. "Look at me." Luke raised his head and looked into his husband's concerned blue eyes. "Good, that's better," Noah soothed. "First of all, I really think the judge is going to believe you."
"You don't know that."
"I do," Noah countered, keeping his tone soft. With the clothes and your testimony I don't know how anyone could not believe you. And secondly, I am a big boy. Randy is not going to hurt me, Luke. The only way he could hurt me is if he hurts you again, and I don't want to see that happen."
Luke shook his head. "You don't understand, Noah and I don't know how to make you understand. I don't want to wake up one day and realize that I can't wake you up. That freaks me out to no end."
"That would freak me out too," Noah frowned. "I'm assuming you are referring to your nightmares right?"
Luke nodded, and bit his bottom lip.
"You've been having them since last week, haven't you?"
"Yes."
Noah placed his hands on Luke's shoulders, his eyes serious as he looked at him. "None of us are guaranteed tomorrow, Luke," he said solemnly, "but I will guarantee you this for as long as I have on this earth, I will be right here beside you. I'm not going anywhere."
"You think I'm crazy for being scared," Luke challenged. "Is that what you think?"
"I don't think you're crazy for being scared," Noah protested gently. "Don't put words into my mouth, Luke. I'm on your side here."
"Sorry," Luke said his voice barely a whisper."
"No apologies," Noah said lifting Luke's chin, his thumb caressing it lovingly. "I just want you to realize that if you don't go to court and go through with this, then you will always be watching over your shoulder…looking for him. I don't want that for you. I also don't want you to put me first this time. I would be devastated if something happened to you again, and if we don't put this bastard away then he may try again."
Luke involuntarily shuddered and let his head rest against Noah's again. He closed his eyes trying to draw strength from Noah's touch. He would need that today. He knew Noah was right…he knew he had to do this. He couldn't let Randy get away with what he had done.
"Come on," Noah said kissing him softly before moving away completely. "It's time to get ready; we have a long day ahead of us."
Luke allowed himself to be pushed into the bathroom before turning to swat Noah away. He gave him a kiss and thanked him again for putting up with him.
"Thank you," Noah retorted. "I haven't exactly made these past two months easy for you. Thank you for loving me, Luke."
"Ditto," Luke said placing a hand on Noah's cheek. "Now go make me breakfast."
He could hear Noah's laughter through the door and it made him smile. He hoped that was a good sign…maybe the day wouldn't be so bad after all.
"He was nervous; so much so that he couldn't keep his hands from shaking. Noah seemed so relaxed and calm…he wished he could do that, he wanted to. In just under an hour he would be sitting in a courtroom full of people talking about something he would much rather forget. The plus side to that, as Noah kept telling him was that when this was all over he could take his life back…five months later he would finally be able to close the book on this…at least he hoped so.
"Let me do that," Noah said taking the tie from his hands.
"That's usually my job," he said as he watched Noah's fingers work the knot.
"Let me know if it's too tight," Noah said pinning him with that intense sapphire gaze.
"Okay," Luke said his voice taking on a nostalgic quality.
"What's wrong?" Noah asked finishing with Luke's tie.
"Nothing," Luke said placing his hands on Noah's chest. "Nothing at all."
Noah's hand instinctively found the back of Luke's neck as their lips connected for a soft sensual kiss. He could get lost in these moments. Noah's kiss…their kiss was an intricate mix of passion and love. There was a balance of need and want, a melding of weakness and strength that gave him the courage he needed to get through this day.
Silence reigned as they made their way to the courthouse. Noah was driving; he had insisted…he didn't think Luke needed to drive today…not when he was so nervous. As it was, Luke held his hand tightly, as he maneuvered the car through the streets of Oakdale. Everyone was assembled at the courthouse when they arrived. James was there, with Maddie standing close by. Holden and Aaron were there, and Ali was holding Aaron's hand. She let go long enough to give Luke and Noah a hug. Maddie hugged her friends too, and James placed a comforting hand on Luke's shoulder.
He was glad to see everyone there to support him, but he couldn't help but notice who wasn't there. His dad and his brother were both present…but his mother was not. He wasn't sure why that bothered him so much but it did. He tried not to think about it, but it was like a slap in the face…and it stung.
"Wipe that frown off your face, Darling!" He turned around at the sound of the voice and was pleasantly surprised to see who was being wheeled toward him.
"Grandma," he said letting go of Noah long enough to pull the woman into a hug. "What are you doing here? Should you be out of the hospital?"
"Nothing short of death is going to keep me away when my grandson needs me, Darling," Lucinda exclaimed placing a hand on Luke's cheek. "Hello Dear," she said turning her attention to Noah.
"Grandma," Luke sighed, don't say things like that…especially today okay?"
"I have to agree with Luke this time, Lucinda," Noah said taking a hold of Luke's hand again. It is good to see you here though; Luke can use all the support he can get."
"Did you talk to Mom?" Luke asked, not sure why he was even cared.
"No, no Darling I didn't," Lucinda said frowning. "She's not here? Oh dear," she mumbled as she watched her two grandsons shake their heads. "That just won't do. I will give her a call, Darling. You don't worry just remember that we're here for you."
"Yes, Grandma…and don't worry about Mom. I guess she just doesn't want to be here."
"Nonsense," Lucinda said as she dug into her bag for her phone. "We'll get this settled right now." Luke and Noah watched as she dialed the phone and placed it to her ear. "Hello, Darling it's your mother…well I am royally pissed pussy cat and I want you to tell me why you aren't here when your son needs you. Poppycock! You have no excuse and I must insist, I insist that you get down here and support Luke with the rest of us…do you hear me. See you soon darling. Mwah."
Noah was impressed and he squeezed Luke's hand as he beamed at Lucinda, who he was beginning to think of as his own grandmother.
"I think it's time for us to go in," Lucinda said closing her phone. "Would you mind pushing me into the courtroom darling?" she asked reaching out for Noah's hand. She touched Luke's hand as well and gave it a squeeze. "Don't worry about your mother, if she knows what is good for her she will show up…and you are going to do fine, darling. Just go in there and tell the truth. We're your family we won't think any differently of you."
"Luke it's time to go in," Holden said coming over to the group. He leaned down to give Lucinda a kiss on the cheek. "It's good to see you up and about."
Lucinda patted Holden's hand as Noah took a moment to give Luke one last kiss.
"I'll be sitting right behind you," he said as they broke from the embrace. And when you are up on the stand…just look right at me, okay?"
Luke nodded as Noah's hand caressed his cheek. This was it…it all began now.
The seconds seemed to crawl by as he waited for the bailiff to call order to the court. Every other minute he would glance back toward the door to see if his mom would show up, but the doors to the courtroom didn't open again. His eyes locked with Noah's, and his husband mouthed the words "I love you" to him. Luke mouthed them back and just drank in that gaze…he took huge gulps of the strength and faith he saw there and he tried not to be too scared.
"All rise," Zachary Walker the Bailiff said in his booming voice. Luke lifted himself out of his chair and faced forward. Tom placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. Even the Hughes family was there to lend their support. Henry and Vienna had closed Al's to be there…everyone seemed to be present except for the one person who should be. "Order in the court," the bailiff's voice shattered through his thoughts, "This court is now in session, honorable Judge Newcomb presiding."
Luke held his breath as the judge walked out. Tom had informed him that Judge Newcomb was a very sympathetic judge, but Luke was still wary. The judge had a kind face, and sensitive eyes He stood in front of his seat and made eye contact directly with Luke.
"Please be seated," Judge Newcomb said his voice commanding obedience. Luke released the breath he had been holding and took his seat. He chanced a glance at Noah who smiled encouragingly at him. Once again he faced forward and waited for the bailiff to speak.
"This is the case of the State of Illinois VS Randy Thompson," Bailiff Walker announced as the judge took his seat and started shifting papers. Tom was called to give his opening statement, letting the judge, the jury and all the occupants of the courtroom know what he was going to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. It seemed like Tom droned on for hours even though it could have only been a few minutes. He was in awe of Tom…it was no wonder why he was the District Attorney. Hearing him speak made Luke feel very confident about the case; if they just presented the evidence and he told his story then maybe this nightmare could be over.
Once Tom took his seat beside Luke, Ralph Simpson, Randy's lawyer, made his opening statement. Luke tried not to flinch as he painted the picture of a love affair gone wrong. He was painted as the unfaithful lover who made promises never kept. A liar who would say anything to stay in good graces with man he was cheating on. Just listening to the words made Luke feel unclean and he wanted to sink down under the seat.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to find loving blue eyes boring into his soul. Noah was his beacon…his anchor, and once again he drank of the strength those eyes provided. Randy's lawyer painted his client as a good guy who didn't deserve to be treated like a criminal, and he told the court that he would prove today that Luke was using his claim as an excuse.
"Mr. Hughes," Judge Newcomb said, grabbing Luke's attention. "You may begin to present your case."
Tom stood and walked to the bench. "Thank you, Your Honor. At this time the prosecution would like to call its first witness. I call Luke Snyder to the stand."
Luke took a deep breath and stood, his feet mechanically moving one foot in front of the other, as he made his way up to the stand. The walk seemed to take an hour, even though it was barely a minute before he was resting his hand on the bible and the Bailiff was swearing him in.
"I swear," he said his voice as thick as molasses. He allowed his eyes to travel around the courtroom taking in all the faces of those there to support him. His eyes landed on Noah last and held there…this is where he needed to be looking.
"Mr. Snyder, could you please state your name for the court," Bailiff Walker asked.
"Luciano Eduardo Snyder."
"Mr. Snyder, you may be seated." Luke nodded and took a seat, the knot in his stomach twisting tight as he waited for Tom to start.
"Your name is Luciano?" Tom asked as he approached.
"Yes, Luciano," Luke replied. Most everyone calls me Luke."
.
"Luke, can you tell the court how you came to be acquainted with Mr. Thompson."
"I met him on August 20, 2007. He came on staff at WOAK as an intern, Luke explained.
"And what was your relationship with Mr. Thompson."
"I was his friend, sir."
"Did your relationship with Mr. Thompson ever progress past friendship?" Tom asked.
"He wanted it to," Luke admitted honestly. "I was never romantically interested in him. I just wanted to be his friend."
"Were there any times during your friendship with Mr. Thompson that you were uncomfortable in his presence?"
"Uncomfortable in what way?" Luke asked frowning. "I was uneasy sometimes…but I don't know if I can say I was uncomfortable per se."
As Tom continued his questioning the doors to the courtroom opened and Luke looked up just in time to see his mother enter the room. It could have been just his imagination, but it seemed like a rush of cold air entered with her, and she took her seat on the right side of the courtroom, her eyes never meeting his.
"Can you tell us what happened on the night in question?" Tom asked bringing Luke's attention back to him.
"I was raped," he said steeling his spine, and looking directly at Noah
"Luke," Tom said gently. "I'm going to need you to walk me through the events of the evening, leading up to the event in question. Can you tell me how the evening started?"
"Okay," Luke said biting his lip. He closed his eyes for a moment, and took a deep breath. "My Husband and I were throwing a dinner party for our friends"
"And your husband is Noah Mayer?" Tom asked.
"Yes, Sir."
"Very good. Can you tell me who was at your dinner party that evening?"
Luke nodded. Our friend Maddie was there and she brought her boyfriend James. Randy was there too."
"Anyone else?"
"No."
"Excellent," Tom said walking up close to the stand. "Did anything happen during the course of the dinner party that you were not expecting?"
"It was raining that night," Luke recalled, "And my dad had called to say there would be an electric storm. Around 5:30, after everyone had arrived there was a blackout."
"Did something happen during the blackout that caused you to leave your apartment that evening?"
"Randy and my husband got into an altercation. I saw them fighting, just as the lights came back on, and I fought with Noah about it after the guests left."
"So you left your apartment after the altercation with Randy and Noah."
"Yes sir."
"Where did you go when you left your apartment?"
"I went to WOAK."
"Did you ask anyone to meet you there?"
"No sir."
"So no one knew you were going to WOAK that evening? "
"Noah knew where I was going," Luke explained.
"Did you speak with anyone on the phone after you left your apartment?"
"Yes," Luke answered truthfully.
"Who did you speak with on the phone, Luke?"
"My brother, Aaron called to apologize for not making it to the party."
"Is Aaron here today, Luke?"
"Yes, sir he's sitting right there," Luke pointed Aaron out in the crowd."
"Did you mention what had happened during the dinner party to your brother, when you spoke with him?"
"Yes sir. He knew I was upset, so I explained why the party had broken up early."
"Did you speak with anyone else that evening?"
"I spoke to Randy at the station."
"On the phone or in person?"
"In person"
"So am I right to assume, Luke, that you arrived at the station first?"
"Yes, sir. I was there first."
"Why was Mr. Thompson at WOAK?"
"He said that Katie had asked him to check on something."
"Is Katie in this courtroom today?"
"Yes sir."
Can you point her out for me?"
Luke looked around the courtroom until he spotted Katie sitting in the gallery. She had a solemn look on her face as she sat between Margo and Brad. "She's sitting right there."
"Ladies and gentlemen please note that the witness has identified Ms. Katie Peretti. Now, Luke, was it normal practice for Ms. Peretti to ask Mr. Thompson to check things at the last minute?"
"Randy and I usually worked late on Wednesday nights," Luke responded, "but we were both actually supposed to be off that night. Normally, Randy would check the tapes to make sure they were ready for the next day's show."
"Okay Luke," Tom said keeping his tone soft, "I know this is going to be very painful for you, but I need for you to tell the court exactly what happened after Mr. Thompson arrived at WOAK."
Luke swallowed and sought out Noah's eyes again. Up until this point the questions had been easy and simplistic. Now it was time to play hardball.
"I was working on a project when he came in," he started, not taking his eyes off of Noah. "Randy told me why he was there, and I apologized for what had occurred earlier. He noticed that I was upset, and he gave me a hug. I…I hugged him back, because I really needed a friend at the moment. And that's when he kissed me."
"What did you do in response to Mr. Thompson's kiss?" Tom asked.
"I pushed him away and asked him what he thought he was doing."
"What happened after you pushed Mr. Thompson away?"
Luke took another deep breath before continuing. "He said he was giving me what Noah couldn't and it was time for me to stop playing this game," Luke answered his voice barely above a whisper. "He said I owed him for being so patient while Noah broke my heart time and time again."
"What did he mean by that Luke?"
"I don't know," Luke frowned.
"So you have no idea what game Mr. Thompson thought you were playing and what you owed him for?"
"I love my husband, sir. I have never played any games with Mr. Thompson."
Noah smiled, trying to give Luke as much encouragement as he could. He knew this was hard for him having to share this story yet again. He only hoped that when this was over, Luke could finally put all of this to rest.
"I tried to protest," Luke said continuing his story. "I told him I owed him nothing, but he wouldn't listen to me. He kissed me again."
"Then what happened, Luke?"
"I pushed him away again, and told him this was wrong. He kept insisting it wasn't…that what he felt for me was real, and he was sure I would feel it too if I just gave in to it. He tried to tell me that Noah wasn't right for me and never had been."
He was starting to get lost in the memories, no matter how hard he tried not to. Noah's eyes were on him…as well as everyone else's. You could hear a pin drop in the courtroom, it was so quiet.
"Keep going, Luke," Tom encouraged. "What happened next? Tell the court what you remember."
"I was going to go home," Luke said finding his voice again, as the scene played out in his head. "I told him I loved Noah, and I was going to go home to him…but he wouldn't let me leave. I tried to leave and he grabbed me. I told him to let go, and I told him he was scaring me. I just wanted to go home," he said trembling despite himself. "But he wouldn't let me leave."
"Luke, you're doing great. Did Mr. Thompson physically restrain you from leaving the building?"
"Yes….he held me by the arm and he wouldn't let go."
"Then what happened, Luke. Did you try to get away from Mr. Thompson?"
"I tried," Luke admitted. "But he's a lot taller and stronger then I am."
"You look to be about the same build as my son, Luke. I wouldn't necessarily think of you as weak," Tom observed. "Could you explain that to us?"
"I was…I was still recovering at the time so I wasn't at my normal strength."
"Were you sick?" Tom continued his questioning. "What were you recovering from?"
"I was still recovering from an infection that had developed in my transplanted kidney. I had only been out of the hospital a week, and I was still on advisement to take it easy because my full strength hadn't returned."
"Okay, Luke did Mr. Thompson do anything else to you that evening?" Tom asked, steering the questioning back on track.
"He touched me," Luke admitted. He could see the scene clearly in his mind's eye and he could feel those hands…they made him feel dirty all over again. "He held me tight and kissed me, forcing his tongue down my throat…and his hands." Luke shuddered. "His hands roamed over my body, like he owned it… he ripped my shirt, and pulled me down to the floor. He pinned me there and ripped my jeans." Luke squeezed his eyes tight as if by doing so he could block out the images that were intruding on his brain. "He squeezed and touched and ripped and told me that I would forget all about Noah once he was through." Luke opened his eyes. "And he entered me."
Tom frowned, knowing that he was about to ask something difficult. "Can you be more specific Luke? What happened?"
Luke bit his lip; no matter how many times Tom has prepared him for this…he still didn't want to say it…but he had to. "There was anal penetration," he said his voice shaky…he forced himself inside my…my body."
"Luke, you are doing great." Tom soothed, "And I know this is very difficult for you. Is there anything else you need to tell us about what happened on the night in question?"
"It happened three times," Luke said once again his eyes on Noah. "I blacked out at some point during the third time and when I woke up he was gone."
"What did you do then, Luke? Did you go home?"
"I curled myself up in a ball and cried first," Luke explained. "And then when I couldn't cry anymore, I went home."
"Why didn't you go to the police Luke?"
Luke shook his head, and realized too late that there were tears in his eyes. "I wasn't thinking logically that night, sir. I just wanted to go home. No police, no hospital…I didn't want to be questioned, I didn't want to be touched I just didn't want to deal with it….I couldn't."
"Luke, what did you do with the clothes you were wearing that night?" Tom asked, trying to soothe Luke with his voice.
Luke tried to compose himself and wiped the tears from his eyes. "I placed them in a bag and hid them in the back of the closet in my bedroom."
At this point Tom picked up a duffel bag and placed it on the desk. "Your Honor," He said turning to face the judge, "I'd like to enter this duffel bag containing the clothing that Luke Snyder was wearing that night as Prosecution Exhibit A. I also have pictures of the bruising Luke suffered. We'll call them Exhibit B," he said as he passed the pictures to the bailiff. We'll call those Exhibit B."
"Mr. Simpson, any objections?" Judge Newcomb asked.
"No objections," The lawyer stated, barely looking up.
"So Ordered," the judge said. "You may continue, Mr. Hughes.
"Are these the clothes?" Tom asked pulling out a clear evidence bag that contained the red and blue remnants of cloth.
"Yes sir," Luke said, his stomach churning at the sight of those garments. "That is what was left of them." His eyes lingered on the duffel bag and he froze. He never wanted to see that bag or those clothes again. His eyes remained focused on the bag for a moment before moving past it. Noah was directly in his line of sight. He was leaning forward, his arms resting on the gallery rail. He had that beautiful closed mouth smile on his face, and he was nodding slowly. Luke took strength from Noah's actions.
"Can you tell us how these clothes came to be in the possession of the Oakdale Police Department?" Tom brought Luke's attention back to the case.
"The clothes were found at the scene of an accident."
"Can you explain that, Luke?"
"Noah found the clothes and he took them out of the apartment. And then he was in an accident…and the clothes were found in the wreckage."
"Now you said Noah was in an accident. Was he injured in that accident?"
"He was in a coma for two months."
"When he woke up were there any long-term effects from his coma?"
"He has amnesia."
"What finally led you to go to the police Luke?"
"I hadn't seen or heard from Randy for two months, but the day after Noah came home from the hospital, Randy and my mom came for a visit. After that day Randy started hanging round Noah and he gave Noah some advice that Noah unfortunately followed."
"What advice was that, Luke?"
He could tell that the entire courtroom was waiting with baited breath to hear what he had to say. He also knew that the answer was probably not what they were expecting. "He told Noah that if he wanted me he had to be forceful, and dominant," Luke explained. "He led Noah to believe that I like it rough, and that I wanted to be pinned down and taken by force. Noah tried that, and I completely freaked. He had me pinned down on the floor, but I was able to push him away and I told him to…to stay away from me, and I locked myself in our bedroom and called James. I was so scared," Luke said his voice cracking with emotion. "James came over and we talked about it, and he helped me to realize that it wasn't Noah I was scared of, it was the act itself. James convinced me to talk to Noah, and once I heard his side of things I realized that I was partly responsible for him being misled. I realized then that it was partly my fault Noah was misled and I decided that I needed to come forth, because I didn't want Randy to hurt Noah like that again."
"Anything else you want to add to what you have said, Luke?"
"No sir, I think that's everything."
"Thank you, Luke. No further questions your honor."
He could see the shock written on all of their faces. There was sadness there as well, and the women were crying…most of them. He dared to allow his eyes to seek out his mother. She stood from her seat as he watched her, and excused herself from the room. The door closing sounded so final…to Luke it was another shot to his already wounded heart. Now it was the Defense attorney's turn to take a crack at him.
"Let's take a fifteen minute recess," Judge Newcomb announced startling Luke out of his daze. Luke you may step down. He struck the desk with his gavel and left the bench. Luke moved slowly off the stand and back toward the table where Tom was standing. The older man placed a hand on his shoulder to steady him and asked him if he was okay.
"I…I think I'm going to be sick," Luke said as he saw Noah moving in his direction. He fell into Noah's arms and held on tightly as Noah soothed him with kisses and touches.
"Come on," Noah said after a few minutes. "Maybe a restroom break and some water will help you feel better. You did good up there."
"Are you okay?" Luke asked as they walked out of the courtroom together. "I know that couldn't have been easy for you to hear."
"Don't worry about me, Luke…I will be okay. Are you going to be okay getting back on the stand?"
"I don't really have much choice," Luke sighed reluctantly.
