Disclaimer- I do not own The Outsiders
"Nothing, I did nothing."
The defense attorney scowled. He wasn't happy that he was wrong… I didn't want to think about this. I didn't want him angry. Attorneys couldn't turn on their witnesses could they?
"Can you describe what happened for the court?"
"…………….and then. He. He shot me." The defense attorney gulped. Nodded and turned away.
"No further question your honor. "
I sighed in relief going to sit down by my mother. I broke down sobbing. I didn't need this. I didn't need to remember these things….. I could still see the gun pointed at me, hear father's voice. …..
Mom pulled me to her and held me. I jerked away. I couldn't….. I…. I…. She was just trying to help but she was making it worse. For some reason all I could see, all I could feel was that last customer, the one that nearly cost me my life….
When, when will I ever be able to just be a kid? When will things ever be normal for me?
The courtroom felt chilly and I didn't know if it was the winter weather or my nerves. My lips were chapped from my teeth having bitten down on them all week. I looked at my parents. They gave me nervous grins.
I gulped and sort of shrugged. This was it. This was the day. Either my nightmare was over or it had just begun. If Davenport was able to get off he would come after me. I knew he would. Richard Davenport doesn't have it in him to forgive and he never backs down. If they did not lock him up he'd kill me within a matter of weeks or worse. He'd kill them, my family. Leaving me all on my own; it was just his style.
"All rise for the honorable Judge Cambridge." I stood up. My legs shook like jelly. My breath caught in my throat. "And here we go again."
"You may be seated."
I sat down just as the jury walked in. One man remained standing. He wore a light blue suit… light blue."
"Has the jury reached a verdict?"
"Yes we have your honor."
"Proceed."
I looked down at my feet. My breath came our harsh and shallow. Although I was cold I could feel sweat pouring down my forehead and from my palms. I rubbed my hands against my pants leg. I closed my eyes. "Calm down, calm down… calm down. It's going to be okay. It's going to be okay."
"On the charge of drug trafficking the jury finds the defendant, Richard Davenport Guilty."
"On the charge of trafficking to minors the jury finds the defendant, Richard Davenport Guilty."
"On the charge of child trafficking the jury finds the defendant, Richard Davenport Guilty."
"On the charge of child prosatution the jury finds the defendant, Richard Davenport Guilty."
"On the charge of child abuse we the jury finds the jury find the defendant, Richard Davenport Guilty."
"On the charge of neglect the jury finds the defendant, Richard Davenport Guilty."
"On the charge of assault of a minor the jury finds the defendant, Richard Davenport Guilty."
"Guilty, Guilty…." I could not believe my ears. Nothing ever goes this right for me. I have never had anything go my way. How was it that this was happening?"
"On the charge of attempted murder the jury finds the defendant, Richard Davenport Guilty."
The world grew still. I was vaguely aware of the cheers in the background but for me it was surreal. Nothing ever, ever turned out good for me. I could not breathe. This was too surreal. My mind was frozen. This was too good to be true. What did I ever do to deserve it?
"Order, order in the court."
The silence grew and time once again began to move. I took a deep breath. Richard Davenport would never bother me again. It was unbelievable. Ever since I was four years old Richard Davenport had made my life a living nightmare. It always seemed like I was somewhere between life and death. There was just one thing…….
If this was supposed to cure everything, make everything better; how come there was a part of me that filled worse? If there was closure why wasn't I feeling it?
Wow my 50th chapter! I can hardly wrap my head around it. Thank you all for your love and support. There is more to come!
