Page 71 of In This Moment
There was no way of understanding how this officer could know these things. Unless she really was an angel. But it didn’t matter. Her testimony was stunning, and from the corner of his eye Luke could see the jury taking in every word.
For the most part, the first day was going better than Luke could’ve imagined. Answered prayers, for sure.
Cami Nelson was called to the stand last. She was asked by her father’s attorney to state how very much she’d been against Christianity prior to attending the Raise the Bar club.
“You were against the idea of the Raise the Bar club when it first started, is that right, Ms. Nelson?” Landsford paced in front of the witness stand, never looking at her.
“I was. Yes, sir.” She sat a little straighter, clearly trying to stay strong.
“And who swayed you into thinking the club was a good thing?” He stopped and stared at her. As if this was the point where he would catch her in some great admission.
Instead, Cami shook her head. “No one. Kids make up their own minds.” She hesitated. “God was the One who changed my mind.”
Several whispers came from across the courtroom. Judge Wells slammed her gavel on her desk. “Order.”
The whispers died off. But the point was clear. Landsford had inadvertently led Cami to score points for Luke’s side. He might as well have grabbed a gun and shot himself in the foot.
The whole time she talked, Cami’s father stared at his hands, his shoulders shaking. Again, Luke wondered what was going on inside the man. He looked tortured. Like he hated himself for putting his daughter through such a thing.
When it was his turn, Luke asked her questions about her newfound faith and did his best to undo any damage done by Landsford. Still, in the end, Cami’s testimony remained a victory for the defense.
In the battle for clarity on the First Amendment, the conversion of students once hostile to Christianity was not seen as a positive, it was seen as coercion.
Luke watched Wendell’s son Jordy comfort the girl once she was off the witness stand. She couldn’t know how damaging her testimony had been. How it had scored points for the prosecution. None of this was her fault.
The trial was adjourned until the following morning, and Luke’s father was at his side first. “You’ve got this, Son. You were brilliant.” His dad hugged him. “I’ll be back tomorrow.”
The support of family meant everything to Luke. He grinned at the man, always an older version of himself. “Love you, Dad.”
“Love you, too.”
When his father was gone, Luke turned and shook Wendell’s hand. The principal searched Luke’s face for some kind of assessment. “How did it go?”
“Not terrible. I have some ideas for later this week.”
“Good.” Wendell smiled, ever the optimist. “God’s going to use you, Luke Baxter.”
The pretty black woman from the spectator section joined Wendell and slipped her arm around his waist. She introduced herself to Luke. Alicia Harris. “I wasn’t going to come today.” She looked at Wendell and back at Luke. “But I had to be here. I had to see for myself. You know why?”
“No, ma’am.” Luke liked her. She had spunk.
“Because.” Alicia smiled. “You’re the one who will win this case... because you’re not up there by yourself.” She looked at Wendell and then back at Luke. “The Lord is with you.”
While they were talking, Andy Nelson slithered from his seat toward the door and out of the courtroom. There was no one at his side, no one to comfort him. No matter how things turned out, Luke hoped he might get the chance to talk to the man. Pray with him, even.
Because when it was all said and done, Andy Nelson still needed his daughter.
And Cami still needed her father.
•••
ANDY STILL COULDN’Tbelieve he was alive. When he woke up the morning after taking the pills, his body shaking, he’d assumed he was dead. It had taken only a few minutes to realize he was in neither heaven nor hell.
He was in his bedroom.
Still alive. Still facing a trial he didn’t want. Even now, three days later, his head throbbed and his body ached. He felt like a zombie as he sat through the testimonies. His only relief was when the judge adjourned for the day.
He pushed his way down the hallway and out the courthouse doors. As he did he bumped into a man who looked familiar. The guy had a rich-looking coat and designer pants and shoes.
