When You Fall
Chapter 4 – When Life Gets You Down
Court Room-
The air was filled with silence. No one said a word. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Everyone was nervous and afraid, especially Nathan.
Nathan was restless. He just couldn't sit still. He kept looking at each of his parents in turn, glaring particularly at Dan.
As he watched each of them for a moment, he was began to think that this case meant more than receiving custody of him. He felt that there was something else, something more involved. He thought that it could have been a long expected fight between Deb and Dan that had just been building up over the years. Sadly, Nathan began to feel as if he was just the prize for whoever won.
Thinking back over what had happened during the trial, Nathan began to feel sick to his stomach. Dan had been a jerk, as he usually was. But this time, he had been a jerk to his ex-wife instead of Nathan. While Nathan had to admit that it was a relief for him, he knew that his mom didn't deserve to be treated that way. Deb deserved someone better than Dan.
Pulling himself out his thoughts, Nathan looked around the room once more. He noticed a few nervous glances being sent his way as if people were trying to comfort him.
Well, it wasn't working.
He fidgeted in his seat as he glanced at the door in which the jury had left. They had been gone for a while now. Nathan didn't know if that was a good sign or not. He wondered what was going on in there...
Jury
"I just don't think it is a good idea to give Dan custody of Nathan. The way he talks and what he says just seems fake, as if he is trying to hide something." A woman said. The other members of the jury sighed angrily. "I think Deb would provide a better home for him." she added, shrugging slightly.
They had been in that room for what seemed like hours. Everyone was annoyed. Anything and everything aggravated them and they were frustrated.
To everyone's surprise and dismay, another member sided with the woman. "I agree with her. Dan just doesn't seem like a trustworthy person." His comment was followed by more angry sighs.
The argument continued like this for a good twenty minutes. A few other people expressed their opinions about Dan. It seemed as if the jury was split dead even. Some people saw Dan as a hardworking, confident man, which would be a good influence for Nathan. Other people thought Dan seemed fake and that his self confidence would hurt Nathan and possibly even make him feel inferior to his father. They just couldn't seem to agree.
After going over the case once more, they decided to take a vote, majority ruling.
The result was surprisingly close.
Court Room
At least 45 minutes had gone by before the jury reentered the court room. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they sat back down once more.
"What is the jury's verdict?" he asked quickly. He seemed disinterested and eager to end the trial.
One man from the jury answered the judge's question. "After a long and tough deliberation, the jury finally reached an agreement." he paused. The tension in the room grew as he left them all in suspense.
The judge looked like he was going to fall asleep if he didn't finish his answer soon.
The jury member inhaled deeply before he continued. "Dan will receive custody of Nathan."
Everyone holding their breath exhaled. The family sitting on Deb's side wore disheartened and defeated expressions. Deb immediately broke down into tears. The judge did not look surprised in the least.
Nathan was horrified, absolutely horrified. He could not believe what he had just heard. He felt as if he had suddenly reached the end of the tunnel, or the end of his life.
Happy that they would finally be leaving, the judge said "The court rules in favor of Dan Scott. Court dismissed." His was lacking enthusiasm.
Dan smiled maliciously as he looked from the judge to his lawyer, giving his lawyer a small pat on the back.
Nathan jumped up and ran out the nearest door before anyone could stop him.
Chapter 4 – When Life Gets You Down
Court Room-
The air was filled with silence. No one said a word. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Everyone was nervous and afraid, especially Nathan.
Nathan was restless. He just couldn't sit still. He kept looking at each of his parents in turn, glaring particularly at Dan.
As he watched each of them for a moment, he was began to think that this case meant more than receiving custody of him. He felt that there was something else, something more involved. He thought that it could have been a long expected fight between Deb and Dan that had just been building up over the years. Sadly, Nathan began to feel as if he was just the prize for whoever won.
Thinking back over what had happened during the trial, Nathan began to feel sick to his stomach. Dan had been a jerk, as he usually was. But this time, he had been a jerk to his ex-wife instead of Nathan. While Nathan had to admit that it was a relief for him, he knew that his mom didn't deserve to be treated that way. Deb deserved someone better than Dan.
Pulling himself out his thoughts, Nathan looked around the room once more. He noticed a few nervous glances being sent his way as if people were trying to comfort him.
Well, it wasn't working.
He fidgeted in his seat as he glanced at the door in which the jury had left. They had been gone for a while now. Nathan didn't know if that was a good sign or not. He wondered what was going on in there...
Jury
"I just don't think it is a good idea to give Dan custody of Nathan. The way he talks and what he says just seems fake, as if he is trying to hide something." A woman said. The other members of the jury sighed angrily. "I think Deb would provide a better home for him." she added, shrugging slightly.
They had been in that room for what seemed like hours. Everyone was annoyed. Anything and everything aggravated them and they were frustrated.
To everyone's surprise and dismay, another member sided with the woman. "I agree with her. Dan just doesn't seem like a trustworthy person." His comment was followed by more angry sighs.
The argument continued like this for a good twenty minutes. A few other people expressed their opinions about Dan. It seemed as if the jury was split dead even. Some people saw Dan as a hardworking, confident man, which would be a good influence for Nathan. Other people thought Dan seemed fake and that his self confidence would hurt Nathan and possibly even make him feel inferior to his father. They just couldn't seem to agree.
After going over the case once more, they decided to take a vote, majority ruling.
The result was surprisingly close.
Court Room
At least 45 minutes had gone by before the jury reentered the court room. Everyone seemed to hold their breath as they sat back down once more.
"What is the jury's verdict?" he asked quickly. He seemed disinterested and eager to end the trial.
One man from the jury answered the judge's question. "After a long and tough deliberation, the jury finally reached an agreement." he paused. The tension in the room grew as he left them all in suspense.
The judge looked like he was going to fall asleep if he didn't finish his answer soon.
The jury member inhaled deeply before he continued. "Dan will receive custody of Nathan."
Everyone holding their breath exhaled. The family sitting on Deb's side wore disheartened and defeated expressions. Deb immediately broke down into tears. The judge did not look surprised in the least.
Nathan was horrified, absolutely horrified. He could not believe what he had just heard. He felt as if he had suddenly reached the end of the tunnel, or the end of his life.
Happy that they would finally be leaving, the judge said "The court rules in favor of Dan Scott. Court dismissed." His was lacking enthusiasm.
Dan smiled maliciously as he looked from the judge to his lawyer, giving his lawyer a small pat on the back.
Nathan jumped up and ran out the nearest door before anyone could stop him.