Chapter 8: The Drama Continues

Summary: The trial continues
Disclaimer: Don't own anything except Nikki...

"The defense call Eric Tompson," Josh Davis, Eric's lawyer called.
It was the next morning and the trial had begun again. Everyone was hoping that it would be over that day.
"What kind of activities are you involved in at school Eric?"
"National Honor Society, football and drama."
"Do you enjoy school?"
"Very much so."
I was angry. Josh was making Eric look like an excellent student and role model.
"Eric, in your own words, please tell the jury what happened the night of November 10th."
"I picked up Nikki after she finished her shift at the station and took her out to dinner. When we were driving around after dinner I pulled over and starting kissing her. She pulled away and told me to stop. I told her I didn't want to take her home yet and started kissing her again. When she pulled way again I told her to do what I said and hit her."
"Did Nikki ever do anything that made you mad at her."
"More times then I can count."
"So you're saying that she usually deserved what she got?"
"Yes, that's correct."
I clenched, the unclenched my fist. I was angry that Eric could say such bad things.
"Thank you Eric, no further questions. Your witness," he said to Linda.
"Eric, where do you get the idea that physical abuse is okay? It is against the law," Linda was just as mad as I was.
"Chicago is a lot different from the rest of the country. In the ghetto it is an accepted way of life. Nikki knew what she was getting into."
"As I understand it, before Nikki, you've never hit a girl. Why did you continue to go out with her when she expressed she never wanted to see you again."
"Nikki's parents didn't care about her, so for once in my life I had power over someone."
"Why do you feel you have to have power over a girl?"
"In Chicago if a guy has power over a girl, especially a white girl, they're respected. Nikki's white, so by having power over her I'm automatically respected."
"Thank you, Eric. No further questions. You may step down."
Eric went back to his seat.
"Now that we've heard from both sides, the court will take a recess while the jury makes its decision."
We all stood up as the judge and jury left the room. I started walking to the hall, talking to Linda.
"I could have killed Eric for what he said."
"I know. It took every shred of my dignity as a lawyer not to reach over and strangle him."
"Nikki, can I talk to you?" Alex said walking over to us.
"Of course."
Alex led me by the arm to one of the benches in the back to the room. We were alone.
"I have a couple of questions for you."
"Shoot."
"Did you really know what you were getting into?"
"No, of course not. All of the guys at our school in Chicago have a reputation and if they've hit someone, you know. Like Linda said, before me Eric's never touched a girl in his life. So no, I didn't know what I was getting into...or I wouldn't have gone out with him in the first place."
"Okay, my second question is how is Chicago so different from here?"
I started laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"Asking how Chicago is different from Kingsport is like asking how the Sahara Desert is different from the Amazon Rain Forest. They're polar opposites. I think that's the one thing Eric and I actually agree on."
"So, how are they different?"
"Well first, Kingsport seems way too safe. Drive by shootings, rape, physical abuse and drugs are normal in Chicago. In Kingsport, everyone freaks out if anything like that happens. And two, the guys in Chicago are always on a power trip, including Eric who I didn't find out about until to late. Here guys respect girls and treat them with respect."
"Do you agree with any of it?"
"Not at all. I just try to keep from getting involved, which worked until last June. "
"I still don't understand this that much."
"Well you don't understand me either," I said matter-of-factly.
"What do you mean?"
"In order to understand me and this whole case, not only do you need to put yourself in my shoes, but you also need to understand how I grew up, which unfortunately is in a world where no one cared about me."
"How are you such a strong person when no one around you cared?"
"You learn to trust yourself and God. Everyone else will burn you, so it's the only way to survive."
"Okay, I also want to talk about what happened last night. I read the paperwork and also talked to Hank about the call. What happened?"
"I don't know. I must've given a Saline IV a thousand times and I couldn't get it right! You know what the worst thing is though? Carrie was coming to support me during the trial and she was killed!"
"Hank thinks I need to put you on the DL for a week. I don't think Hank's too far off on this one."
"What?" I was completely shocked I was hearing this from Alex. "You've never allowed me to miss a day of work in my life, and now you're saying you want to take me off the schedule for a week. You feeling okay?"
"I'm fine, but you're not. Hank's right, you've had a really hard couple of months. Between your parents, this case and the call last night it's been too much for you, hasn't it?"
"Yeah, it has been."
"Nikki..." he said smiling.
"Oh sorry! That one's going to take awhile."
"Okay, following Hank's advice, I'm putting you on the DL for a week. You need some time to relax and figure everything out. We'll see how you're doing after that and decide what to do from there."
"Okay."
"I also think I'm going to ground you for a week because of your poor decision in not reporting this earlier and because of your reaction yesterday. I'm still not happy about that."
"Okay, I guess that's fair." I said standing up.
"Why don't you go freshen up. I think we're going to start soon."
"Okay," I said walking into the hall and over to the bathroom.
"Hey, how did it go with Alex?" Val asked.
"Good. Hank told Alex to put me on the DL for a week."
"He did? What did Alex say?"
"He said that Hank was right. I'm so surprised though. Alex has never allowed me to miss a day of work in my life."
"I can't believe Hank told Alex that. That's not like him at all."
"I know, but Alex needed to hear it, and Alex listens to Hank. Alex also grounded me for a week."
"Why?"
"Mostly because of my reaction yesterday and also because I didn't report the case earlier."
"I guess that's fair. Lets go."
Val and I walked across the hall and into the court room. I went and sat down next to Linda.
"Did you get anything to eat?" Linda asked.
"No, I was talking to Alex the whole time. It's okay though, I'm not hungry anyways."
"Okay..."she said uncertainly.
Just then the bailiff called for us to stand up. We all stood as the judge and jury entered the room. The judge motioned for us to sit down.
"Let's get right to business," The judge asked the jury to read its verdict.
"We the jury find Eric Tompson guilty of all charges," the head juror read.
"Thank you. Eric Tompson, this court finds you guilty on all charges of abusing Nikki Freeman and hearby sentence you to the maximum sentence of ten years without parole." The guard came and took Eric back to his cell. "This case is now closed," he said bringing down his gavel.
We all stood as the judge left.
"It's over," I said sighing with relief.
"Congratulations," Josh said to Linda and I.
"Thanks," I said smiling.
"Hey Nikki, I'm sorry for making you so upset yesterday. I didn't mean to be so hard on you."
"It's okay, Linda evened up that score a little bit today. I know you didn't mean to be that mean, it's no problem."
"I'm glad you understand that. See you later."
"Bye," Linda and I went back to where everyone was. "Hey guys."
"Hey Nikki," Tyler said, "congratulations."
"Thanks, I'm glad it's over."
"Want to go get some ice cream to celebrate?"
"Sure that sounds good."
We walked out of the court house and outside.
"Hey Nikki?"
"Yeah, Hank?"
"Look, I'm sorry for telling Alex to put you on the DL," he said quietly. "Val's right, I normally wouldn't ever do that. I'm just worried about you, that's all."
"It's okay, I do need some time off. I'm not sure Alex would have listened to me anyways. He does listen to you though, so it's okay."
"No it's not, it's not my place to tell Alex that kind of thing."
"Did Val chew you out?"
"Yes she did, and so did Tyler and Jamie when they found out. I really shouldn't have done it."
"Hank, it's no problem. I understand why you did it. Just buy my ice cream and we'll call it even for now."
"Okay, you also won't owe me for when I had to call Alex about the power outage. I really am sorry though."
"It's okay, I forgive you."
We all ordered our ice cream and then talked as we celebrated.
"Hey Linda, thank you so much for everything. You've been a big help."
"You're welcome, it's no problem. I'm always glad to help of my niece's friends. She gave me a lot of background information about what happened in Chicago which helped me with the case."
"Well thank you again. You've helped so much."
"You're welcome Nikki, I'm glad to help. Oh, I've got to go," she said looking at her watch. "See you later."
"Bye," we all said.
We finished our ice cream and went back to the station to finish our shift.