Chapter Twenty-Two: A Verdict Is Reached

The next few months continued the same way. Darry stopped coming to the trial sessions once May swung around and finals came around, but A.J. never stopped going.

Today, A.J. woke up with the sensation that she had gone on one too many roller coasters. Today was the final day of the trial. Today was the day the jury reached a verdict.

It was a thoroughly messy trial. There wasn't much evidence to work with, nor were there many reliable witnesses.

A.J. skipped breakfast and all of her morning classes to get to the courthouse on time. She was alone, just as she had been for the past several weeks when Darry stopped coming along. Today, however, she was stopped just as she was exiting the university through the gate out front.

She whirled around and her mouth stuttered open at the sight of Darry, Pepsi, Skate, Strawberry, Oak, and even Jay and Mini standing there. "We're coming with you," Pepsi announced firmly. "We care about Lucky, too, ya know. He's our friend, too."

Darry glared back at Pepsi. "Pepsi," he said irritably. "I thought we agreed to tone down the drama. This ain't a damn chick-flick after school special confrontational scene."

"Ain't?" Pepsi mocked, slightly embarrassed at Darry's scolding.

"Yes, I said ain't. I am from Oklahoma and we say ain't. Get over it," Darry replied heatedly. "Come on. Let's go, or we're gone miss it."

A.J. couldn't help a smile. They may not have cared so much about Lucky anymore, but they cared enough about her to find some care for him. The eight of them hailed a cab and piled in uncomfortably.

"Hey, only five in a cab including the driver," the cabbie complained.

"Somebody get out," said Oak.

"We only have enough for one cab fare," Skate, self-appointed treasurer of the lot, pointed out.

"Well, then, I guess some of you are gonna have to walk," the cabbie said.

Darry and Oak, who tied for most muscle in the group, exchanged glances and wicked grins.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Oak said.

"Great minds think alike," Darry said. "Shall we?"

"After you."

An enraged Chicago cab driver found himself being lifted bodily and flung out of his own cab.

"Drive!" one of the girls inside shrieked. The tires squealed as whoever was now driving complied.

"Thanks for the car, man!" the new driver hollered, sticking a hand out the window to wave goodbye to the cursing cabbie.

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They made it to the courthouse just in time. The eight laughing kids sobered as they entered the courthouse and took heir seats.

The judge entered. "All rise," the bailiff said. The judge entered and made the resting motion with his hands. Everyone sat down.

A.J. couldn't hear a single word he judge was saying. Her heart was thumping too loudly in her ears.

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Darry couldn't breathe right anymore. He had been to a court trial like this before, for Dally and Johnny, but he had never been to one where the defendants were actually present, or where he didn't know for sure that the defendant in question was guilty.

The jury came out. Lucky was on the stand, petrified.

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His friends were there, in the rows, listening intently to the jury.

"…Charged on count of murder…"

They had probably all just come out of curiosity.

"…Illegal drug use…"

He spotted A.J. in the mass of people. She had a worried and hopeful look on her face. Had she made the others come? What did she think of him now?

"We the jury find Jason Shah guilty of abuse of illegal substances, not guilty as an accessory in the second-degree murder of Alfonso Rodriguez."

"We the jury find Nelson Williams guilty of abuse of illegal substances, drug dealing, and an accessory in the second-degree murder of Alfonso Rodriguez."

"We the jury find Larry Hughes guilty of abuse of illegal substances and second-degree murder of Alfonso Rodriguez."

"We the jury find Roger Stanton…"

Lucky held his breath.

"…Guilty of abuse of illegal substances and not guilty as an accessory in the second-degree murder of Alfonso Rodriguez."

Lucky would have stood up and whooped, as Pepsi did, but it wasn't over yet.

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"Pepsi! Sit down!" Skate hissed. "Its not over yet, you goon!"

"Why? He's not guilty."

"The judge makes the final call, moron!"

"Oh."

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The judge had spoken. Lucky was not guilty for murder, but he did have to spend four months in the reformatory. He would be back just in time to start the new school year.

"I hope this experience has taught you a sobering lesson, son," the judge admonished severely. Lucky nodded, unable to speak. His larynx seemed to have turned to lead.

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Not over yet! One more chapter to go! Review, please.