“What did he tell you?” Said Trevor’s lawyer, Mr.Donnovan.
“’Come on, trust me. It’s fun and you’ll have a blast.’”
“In that exact tone Miss Claus?”
“More confident and upbeat.”
“Did you defend yourself? Saying that you did not want to jump?”
“Yes, I did.”
“That you said it didn’t look safe and wanted to leave?”
“Yes, I insisted we leave plenty of times.”
Out of nowhere Trevor blurted out loud, “That’s a lie! She said she just wanted to leave! Nothing about it not being safe!”
The judge stands up in his chair and looks directly in Trevor’s eyes. “Mr. Taylor this is your first warning, let Miss Claus speak.”
“Okay...sir.”
I get asked more and more questions about that night. My head starts to hurt reminding me that I forgot to take my medicine before I drove here. Having been hit in the head by rocks and your writing are in a cast along with bruises and scars everywhere starts to annoy you after awhile.
“Miss Claus, did you or did you not jump off the cliff after taking Mr. Taylors hand for so called reassurance?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Why?”
The whole jury was looking at me, along with everyone else in the room. This was the question that could decide my or Trevor’s future. My head is really starting to bother me now. I close my eyes but opening them before answering.
“I would recall peer pressure. He wouldn’t stop bothering me about it even a week before this was planned. That and the whole school would claim me as a chicken if I didn’t do it. I couldn’t risk my reputation on this one little incident. Sir, if I could ever get the chance to redo that day I would start by not even going.” I look down in dismay. I hated myself.
Mr. Donnovan looked at the jury, bowed, then looked back at me. “Thank you Miss Claus. I am finished.”
I step down and take my seat behind the plaintiff section. I am shaking now, all because I haven’t taken my medicine yet. My bag is next to me with my pills in it. Could I take them and not be questioned? What if they think im going to pull out a gun or something? They know im not crazy but would I be puton the spot again for medicine I need? Or do I have to wait to hear what Trevor says then what the jury says? Even then can I still get them? Man, tricky choices in life suck bad.
Trevor steps up to the podium where I was. He stares me down, then up smiling while biting his lip. Why the heck is he checking me out now? In the middle of a courtroom? Oh well, I will never understand boys. I look at my shaking hands as my lawyer, Mrs. Epet, stands and starts questioning him as Mr. Donnovan did to me.
“Mr. Taylor. Did you or did you not pressure my client into jumping off the cliff with you?” Mrs. Epet asks.
“I guess”
Idiot…
“Did Alissa, I mean Miss Claus, grab your hand as support?”
“Yes.”
“Did you or did you not look over the cliff to see if anything would possibly hurt you or Miss Claus?”
“And risk falling over? Heck no! She did though and I was surprised when she did it too.”
“Miss Claus did?”
“Yes.”
“And you didn’t?”
“Nope.”
“Did you ever in your lifetime look over the cliff?”
“Why would I? My friends said they have jumped there since they were little and a little rocks don’t hurt them. So I went along and brought Alissa with.”
“I think I made my point you’re honor.” Mrs. Epet bows then walks back to her seat next to me and notices I’m shaking.
She whispers, “Are you okay? Nervous?”
“I forgot to take my medicine, it’s in my bag but I don’t think I can take it without them wondering If I’m pulling a gun.” The judge sees us talking.
“Is there a problem Miss Claus?”
Mrs. Epet stands up, “My client forgot to take her medicine, it is in her bag and was wondering if she could take it now her bag was searched earlier and didn’t recall seeing any harmful items in it.”
“Go ahead and take you’re medicine Miss Claus.” I reach down into my purse pulling out my pills and some water I was given. I see Trevor watching me. Since I’m bending over I guess he is looking down my shirt since he is smiling also. I sit up. My life with him sure will be fun after were done here.
An hour later the jury comes back. I am shaking my leg then stop, I don’t want to look nervous. As the jury takes their seats the first one on the bottom row stands. I breathe deep. $4,000 dollars is on the line and id like the money to pay off my medical bill. My insurance didn’t cover it all but covered most of it. Trevor might spend it all on hookers, cars, and alcohol. He has been that way ever since he made the quarterback position in football .
“The jury has reached a verdict. Alissa Claus will not pay Trevor Taylor $4,000. Trevor Taylor will pay $4,000 dollars along with go to a class teaching him how to treat and respect a lady.”
Mrs. Taylor is outraged, “I can’t believe this! Alissa is the one who jumped with my little boy anyways! She should owe us money cause if she didn’t jump my precious little boy wouldn’t have!” Trevor coughs disagreeing with his mother. She looks at him with a disgusting look. “What is that suppose to mean Trevor? You would’ve jumped anyways!?” She stands yelling and the sheriff comes up trying to calm her down.
“Mrs. Taylor please stay seated and calm down...”
“I will not! I demand the Claus’s to give my family $4,000 for my sons medical bill! Since I am unemployed we cannot pay all of it.”
“Alissa lives alone, since her parents died in a car crash years ago. Sheriff, please.” The judge waves to Trevors mom for the sheriff to cuff Mrs. Taylor for everyone’s protection and escorts her out of the room.
“Now that the court is in order, Mr. Taylor you owe Miss Claus $4,000.” He bangs his paddle or hammer thingy and I jump a little. I stand up grabbing my bag and follow Mrs. Epet out of the courtroom then soon the building.
Mrs. Epet stops me before we head our separate ways to our cars, “You know Alissa. We may have won now, but I saw how Trevor was looking at you. Be careful, boys are tricky and you don’t want to get stuck with the wrong one.”
“Don’t worry Mrs. Epet, I’m not planning on dating Trevor for a LONG time. He pushed me farther than he has ever done before. Besides, I promised my best friend I wouldn’t take him any more than a best friend, if that. ”
“I have fought against Trevor before Alissa. When he was younger he broke into someone’s house and stole items. Of course, this was for a different client and I’m not allowed to go into detail but just watch out. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer, who knows what Trevor will do next. ”
“I understand. I’ll keep an eye out Mrs.Epet, I promise.” I really just wanted to leave so I pulled my bag up to my shoulder and got out my keys.
“Okay, I don’t want to see you hurt. I know I am not your mother but if you need me, call me.” She hands me her personal card with her home and cell number on it, I shove it in my pocket. Like I’ll ever need the stupid thing. What can she do for me? Threaten to sue people if they seem interested in hurting me? Ha.