The Lies We Share ✔

Chapter 27

As the trial gained momentum, it was the defendant, Jeremy who was silent. It did not go unnoticed the sort of looks Jeremy received from the jury, quite a few scowls were directed toward him. Laura's mom had regained a bit of composure as the final pieces of evidence were compiled, the jury had deliberated, the courthouse was full again and the verdict was to be called.

"The court finds the defendant, guilty, on charges of domestic violence for threatening and inflicting bodily harm onto Ms. Cook."

The air feels light, Laura felt her mom squeeze her tightly, bringing her closer. Laura and her mom couldn't help but smile as they both looked to Rachel who had tears rolling down her face, she was looking down trying to not to express any emotion. The courthouse was emotionless except for a few shocked glances or the relieved faces of some of the audiences in the court.

At the end of the trial the judge pounded the gavel adjourning the court, Jeremy was taken away in handcuffs. His face was full of anguish, he looked over at the jury, in utter shock. He was angry and letting his true colors show as he was led out of the courtroom. As quickly as they had entered, they had left together again. The pit in Laura's stomach unraveled, victorious at last she thought. The final sentencing caused for ninety days in jail and fines up to 1000 dollars, the highest sentence for a first-time misdemeanor. It was not enough, it would never be enough, but in this world of hate, it was a small victory.

They went straight back to Laura's house where they spent the night cooking jovially. Tonight's meal was to be unforgettable, and what a day to celebrate. The case was won, and now it was time to start again. Laura's aunt was back to her usual self again no longer worried, the spark was back in her step. The world seemed just a little bit brighter when her aunt was happy Laura thought to herself.

That night they cooked steaks, Laura made a large garden salad, while her aunt prepared twice baked potatoes and cauliflower, the cooking lasted all night with talking and jittery excitement. As Laura's dad came home, it was all Laura's mom could do not to immediately shout the good news at him.

"We won the case, Roger!" Astounded, her husband gave her a big hug.

"No way, congratulations Rachel! Well done," her brother-in-law then smiled at Rachel, and said, "Fancy dinner too, oh I gotta go change," he said as he looked down at his uniform kind of greasy from operation in the car factory.

That night the snow came down as they ate as a family, the hole in Laura's heart left by Ryan was beginning to mend she could sense the same hole beginning to mend in her aunt, drinking her water she looked up at Laura, who smiled they both looked at each other, the anxiety that Laura thought she saw was courage. Laura thought that maybe that courage was something she had in common with her aunt, maybe Laura too would win her case.

"Let's have a party this weekend," her mom said, and Laura felt herself start to laugh, her mother just couldn't celebrate something without a house full of people.

After dinner, Laura went to her room and changed into some pajamas, the ones with multicolored polka dots on them. She snuggled into her bed under her and began to feel herself drift off. She heard her phone ring, she looked at the caller ID it was Ryan. She debated picking up the call for a moment, would this be right? Could talking to Ryan help solve things? She figured she had already hit rock bottom so she answered.

"Hey, Laura," the voice on the other end said, it was hardly recognizable as Ryan. The voice was deeper, it grated on her ears.

"Who is this?" Laura asked.

"Ryan's dad," she instantly regretted picking up the phone, why did she do this? Her heart fluttered nervously.

"Listen, little girl, you have not been respectful to our son. Calling the police on him won't solve any of your problems," he added degrading her, his voice pierced through the phone. Laura felt as though the phone call was useless, but she remembered how in television shows how they recorded phone calls to prove cases. Laura hoped it would work as she pressed record and put Ryan's father on speakerphone.

"Hey—I am still on the line, listen, bitch. You better not go to the police about this, you'll regret it."

The threat was certainly intimidating, but she breathed deeply and continued her ruse.

"Who is Ryan?" she played dumb.

"What?" his father said confused.

"Sorry bye," replied Laura.

Hopefully, he believed her, though she wasn't sure he would, even though, Ryan's parents were idiots, so she thought this would help lead them off the trail. She was almost certain they had lost a few brain cells from their drug and alcohol abuse if what Ryan said was true. It was odd that Ryan would ask for their help unless the authorities contacted his parents first, but it was easy to believe that his parents had a lot more to lose if the police got the testimony of Ryan admitting to being abused by them.