So Long Ago
Ch.11 - The People v. Laura Sidle
Author's Note: I don't know why, but I decided to make this a song-fic thing. I hope you enjoy and I hope you review. Thanks.
Sara woke early the next morning, butterflies churning inside her stomach. The trial was set for nine-o-clock, so Sara made arrangements to skip the entire day of school. Though she was out late last night and the sun was barely rising, Sara felt wide awake.
She got out of bed, as discreetly as possible and walked to the window. She watched a beautiful California sunrise with a broken spirit. She wished she had someone in her life that she could share this with. Maybe there was something-somewhere out there that would make her wishes come true.
As the sun rose completely over the far horizon, Sara knew what she had to do today.
The first two rows of benches inside the small courtroom were reserved for personnel of the defendants and prosecution. Sara took a seat at the end of the first row to better observe her surroundings. In front of the judge's plinth, there were two separate tables for the lawyers. The jury stand was adjacent to the benches. People entered the courtroom over the next half hour. General public and attorney's took there preset seats.
The last to enter were the prosecution attorney, Linda, and finally her mother, looking pitiful being escorted by an officer into her chair. Their table was right in front of where Sara was sitting. A side door opened and an officer entered.
"All rise." He called. Benches creaked as the room stood. "Presenting the honorable Judge Cogan." Judge Cogan looked ready to retire. He sat on his chair and the room followed similar suite.
"Let's get started, hmm? Case 6534: The People v. Laura Melanie Sidle. We'll start with the prosecution's opening argument. Ms. Wilson, if you will." Judge Cogan announced.
The attorney for the prosecution stood and glided to the center stage, turning from the judge to the audience. "May it please the court…this case is not the normal family dispute. We have here, in the court, not a helpless victim, but a senseless killer. Any person, who would willingly stab aggressively at another, clearly has no intention at a future.
"But what is more…the defendant has a child-"
"Objection your honor." Linda stood up. "The child in question is not a factor in this case-"
"Obviously it is! If a mother would kill with a child in her life, clearly she is not worthy."
The judge banged on the table repeatedly.
"Order! This court will stay civilized!" He shouted in a loud voice. The room quieted immediately.
After the warning, the two sides began presenting their case to the judge. Sara watched the trial with slight interest. As someone from the crime lab began to present the evidence, she felt pleased that she knew what he was talking about.
Linda put on a horrible performance. While the prosecutor, Ms. Wilson, had words and arguments glide smoothly from her mouth, Linda seemed to be making things up as she went.
At last the judge spoke, "Before the closing statements, does the defense have a testimony?"
Linda went pale in her seat. Both her and Sara's mother turned to look at her. The room was deathly quiet all of a sudden. The trial seemed no longer interesting but torture, as more eyes found their way to Sara. She took a deep breath. She looked directly into her mother's hurt eyes with cold ones. Determined, she shook her head.
Laura Sidle looked perplexed at her child. Sara could see all of her mother's will and want seep out of her. Linda sighed.
"No you're honor, not at this time." Linda shook her head and looked defeated. She gave a lame closing argument, and the judge declared a ten minuet recess before he announced the verdict.
Sara left the room and ran outside. She felt sick inside. Breathing slowly, she leaned against a tree on the side of the courthouse. Lack of sleep almost engulfed her. She wanted to fall asleep, and wake up after a bad dream. That's all this was- a bad dream.
She slowly opened her eyes. People were beginning to return inside. She sighed. This was no more a dream than Africa was an iceberg.
Sara took a seat in the very back of the room this time, as far away from her mother as she could get. The judge entered once more.
"After careful consideration, I find Laura Sidle guilty of all charges." The judge stated. Linda put a hand on Laura's shoulder in support. "I am sentencing ten years to life in a federal prison with possibility of parole after six. You are charged with voluntary manslaughter." He banged on the table once, and dismissed the court. An officer put cuffs on Laura and led her out.
Sara watched from her secluded spot with very mixed feelings. At long last, she left the building, intending on going to bed.
"Sara," Sara looked up and saw Detective Mann standing near the curve. He walked over to her. "How'd it go? Sorry I wasn't in there. I had to work."
"Guilty." Sara replied indifferently.
"Oh," He looked rather surprised at the verdict. "Well, where are you off to now?"
"Bed."
"Hmm. Listen Sara, your mom will be out soon." He tried to sound comforting, but it wasn't exactly breaking Sara's hard shell.
"So?" Sara looked at the detective. "It doesn't matter how long she's in there. It leaves me no where."
"That's no true Sara. I have seen people with nothing. You still have a lot. You just have to set yourself to something, and get there. Believe me; this won't get in your way. You just have to think that you can."
Normally, Sara would laugh at the corniness- but perhaps there was some truth.
I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meaning of true love
I'm leaning on the everlasting arms
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
Sara took a moment to think about what she wanted. Yes- she definitely wanted to put the past behind her and fly forward like there was no tomorrow.
I believe I can fly I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar I see me running
through that open door
I believe I can fly I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
Sara felt fully awake. There was something in her that wanted to get her own life started right now.
See I was on the verge of breaking down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me,
Oh if I can see it, then I can be it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
"If there's anything you need, I will help, Sara. By the way, I heard a rumor at the station about you at a friend's house late last night. Just a suggestion- pay them a visit." He winked at her.
I believe I can fly I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar I see me running
through that open door
I believe I can fly I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
Sara jolted up. "Did they find him?"
"I'll give you a ride." Sara rushed to the Detectives car, not looking back. She was on her own now- and she was glad.
Hey, cuz I believe in me, oh
If I can see it, then I can do it
If I just believe it, there's nothing to it
I believe I can fly I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar, I see me running
through that open door
I believe I can fly I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
Hey, if I just spread my wings
I can fly I can fly I can fly, hey
If I just spread my wings
I can Fly-eye-eye...
I Believe I Can Fly:
By: R. Kelly