The Judge

Chapter 7

*Time jump to next week in court*

The trail had just began and everyone was nervous. C.P had threw up outside again and me and Hank helped him. Glen and Dale were really anxious and well... Judge was just Judge.

I was sitting beside Glen and Dale, while Judge, Hank and C.P sat in front of us, looking at Judge Warren." So, Sir your telling me that your not even a little bit swayed by the fact that you're familiar with the defendant and his stature in the community?" Dickham asked, looking at the jury." Now, what exactly is our target junior?" C.P asked, looking at Hank who was writing something onto a sheet of paper." Intelligent people who will listen to instructions and follow the evidence." Judge said," Crackpots." Hank inputted," Those I can persuade to swallow their own tongues. Anyone who's seen a Sasquatch. Moon- landing deniers. Those are our people." He continued.

"Mr Palmer." Judge Warren said, leaning back at his chair, looking over at Hank and Judge. Hank stood up and approached the jury," Bumper stickers? Anybody got one on their car, truck, R.V?" I furrowed my brows as to what Hank was doing." Show of Hands." Many people raised there hands making Hank smirk," And, Uh, what do they read? Exact words, please." He pointed over to a lady, sat in the back row." It just spells out 'tolerance' with religious symbols." She spoke. I saw Hank shake his finger, making C.P cross something off the piece of paper." Willie Nelson for president." A middle aged man continued. I half smile at his great taste in music." Really? Does he seem a likely candidate?" Hank asked," They never got him on a felony." The court room was filled with light laughter making Hank Do a perfect sign with his fingers, making C.P circle something onto the sheet of paper.

This carried on for a while until Hank came to a conclusion. He walked back over to the table and took a look at the results C.P placed in front of him," Ok. Looks good." He said, nodding and Placing the sheet onto the table. He then leaned back in his chair and looked at me. He mouthed 'You ok' making me nod and smile at him.

The next day

It was the day that Lauren was coming to visit and everyone was excited to meet her. Both me and Hank had gone to the airport to pick her up and she was so ecstatic to see us. She ran up to Hank and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug." I missed you, baby." Hank said, kissing her cheek. They pulled away and looked at each other before I spoke up," And do I not get a hug hello." Lauren turned around and hugged my stomach, making me kneel down and pick her up." Hey sweetheart." I said, as we began to walk away.

"It's gonna be such a fun weekend." Hank said, dragging Lauren's suit case along." Unless I drop you down the escalator." I joked, making Lauren laugh and hold onto me tighter. We walked out to the car and began to drive home. I watched as Lauren looked out the window, watching the scenery go by, before turning back to the road and sinking into my chair. There was a silence among us, yet it was a peaceful silence making me feel calm.

Time jump

Hank parked the car in the drive way before turning to Lauren, who was sat in the back." Lauren, Uh..." he began," I feel like I should prep you before you meet grandpa Palmer. Cause he is nothing like grandpa Schneider. Grandpa Schneider is kind of, you know, nice and affable... and he'd maybe be take you for ice cream, maybe he'll read to you. Grandpa Palmer doesn't want to do any of that. If you ask him to read to you, he might throw the book at you." I chuckle at Hanks joke and shake my head.

"Don't listen to your dad, he doesn't know anything. Just don't worry about it, you'll be fine." I said, looking at Lauren and then Hank." Oh, my god, there He is. Look." Judge walked out the door and headed down the stairs, approaching the car." He's usually wrapped in gauze, and oozing and shuffling." Hank continued." He must have some outside to feed." Judge stopped and looked down at Lauren," Who are you?" He asked," Lauren."
"Lauren." Judge repeated," You know who I am?" He continued," Grandpa." I turned and looked at Hank, who was watching what was happening behind him." Yeah. You're my granddaughter."