Page 45 of Served
My dad reached out to shake the DA’s hand, “Hey Bill, how are you?”
“Hey, Chief. I’m well. I started seeing your signs. Good luck on your run! You know you got my vote!”
My dad waved him off to show his humble side, but the truth is he would run a hard campaign and needed all the votes he could if he was going to be mayor. He was retiring soon from the force but only because he was ready for a new role in politics. He had only been with the force for thirty-eight years.
While they caught up my mom came and hugged me, “Dear, you look so peaked. And your nails look dreadful. Are you eating enough? Resting?”
“Yes, just nerves from this mess. I can’t believe you’re here.” I sincerely was surprised she was there.
“Well, I wasn’t sure you wanted us here, but Amy called me yesterday and said you mentioned you might. So.” She shrugged in her small stature waiting on my approval, or disapproval.
I reached out again and hugged her. “I’m glad you’re here, Mom.”
My dad reached his arm around my shoulder. “Hey you, let’s go put away some bad guys.” I leaned into him. It felt good to have them there with me. We found a seat near the back and settled in.
The bailiff announced the judge and the judge started going back over why we were here then got straight to business. Amy was on one side of me and Mom on the other, Dad next to her. Mom and Amy both held one of my sweaty hands as everyone was instructed to sit and then court was in session.
“Son, you were offered a plea deal to reduce the charges to Aggravated Assault and Attempted Sexual Assault with a ten-year sentence and the possibility of parole. Do you accept this deal?”
We all looked to the defendant table in unison. The attorney stood. My mouth became bone dry, and my pulse was beginning to race. Amy and Mom both squeezed my hands tighter. I sat tall, focused on my breathing, trying to stay detached even though I felt like I was sitting next to Eric. Even though I appreciated Mom, Dad, and Amy, I wished in that moment Jason was there with his arm around me, holding me close to him.
“Your Honor, my client has decided to not accept the plea deal and requests a trial.”
My mom moved up in her seat and started to say something, but dad shook his head and put his arm across her chest lightly. My lip was trembling, and Mom squeezed my hand, but it wasn’t because what the attorney said. I heard what he said, but it wasn’t processing yet. I wanted Jason. And he wasn’t there. And he wouldn’t be outside. Or at my apartment. I just wanted to dig my face into his chest and forget all of this, but that wouldn’t be happening.
“Counselors let’s start jury selection next week. We’ll reconvene Monday at nine.” And with that the gavel banged. Eric and his team of people swiftly exited the courtroom, this time not making any eye contact with me. Amy’s dad gathered his papers and his briefcase and walked to us.
“Okay, you don’t need to be here for jury selection but plan to be back next Tuesday, maybe Wednesday depending on how that goes. I’m sorry. But we’ll get him.” He shook my dad’s hand and nodded at my mom before he exited, and Amy followed behind him. My mom grabbed me, and dad reached his arm out to my shoulder.
“So, any plans now? Maybe we can go grab some brunch?” Mom asked with a hopeful look on her face. “Our treat!”
“Um, let me tell Amy I have a lift. But sure, that sounds nice.”
I found Amy in the hallway and told her, “Hey, mom wants me to go grab a bite so you can go ahead and do your gallery stuff. They’ll drop me home later.”
Amy reached out and grabbed my hand and leaned into my ear, “What are you not telling me?”
I shook my head, but she tugged on my arm, so I leaned back to whisper to her, “I’ll have to tell you later. See you at home in a bit.” I kissed her cheek then turned to find my parents.
We drove to a quaint little restaurant just off the square and were just in time for brunch, so mom ordered mimosas for us, and dad went with sweet tea.
“Clearly this wasn’t what we hoped, but I’m sure it’ll work out,” my mom said as she looked over the menu.
I nodded as I knocked back my drink and motioned to the server for another.
“So, anything else new with you? Any new love interests?” My dad asked, sending orange juice and champaign shooting out of my nose.
“Um, you know me. I have perspective options but like to keep it open.” I was dabbing my mess with my napkin.
“Good for you dear, be selective,” my mom said. I thought my dad would shoot daggers out of his eyes.
“I got it guys. Don’t worry.”
“Well, we can’t help but worry. Look at what happened,” Dad said.
I wondered how many mimosas I could down before I couldn’t walk out of here.
I think they got the hint because the rest of the conversation was about dad’s campaign, mom told me about her current clients, and of course I asked about my brother and his family.
