Hard to Feel Free ~ Sample

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

“Abbie…you okay?” Jake called through the bathroom door outside the court room, “Let Jo in baby.”

I released the latch on the door, leading into the hallway and turned back to the cubicle, wiping the sweat from my brow.

“She’ll be alright Jake don’t worry, I’ll sort her,” Jo said, resting a calming hand on Jake’s forearm as she pushed open the door.

“Hey…how you doin girl?” Jo asked as she leaned casually on the vanity, watching me rinse my mouth before passing me a bottle of water.

“I’ve been better. I’ll be glad when I can draw a line under this shit. I’m so fuckin wound up I can hardly breathe, let alone hold food down.”

My stomach had lodged itself firmly up in my chest cavity, or at least that’s what it felt like. I took a tissue from Jo as she gave me her best all-knowing smile.

“Is Jake okay?” I asked, glancing nervously at the closed door. Jake had travelled this road with me from the start. The last three years had taken a serious toll on him. He continued to put on a tough, carefree front, but deep down the depth of his hurt bothered me greatly. I made a promise that as soon as this was done I would take care of his wellbeing for a change; if we survived beyond the trial.

“He’s fine, just worried about you that’s all.”

I nodded as I took another sip of the cooling water before setting it down at the side of the basin so I could sort the mess facing me in the mirror.

“Jeez Joey, look at the state of me.”

“You’re fine…here, let me.”

She turned me to face her and pulled a compact from her bag. Spending very little time at all, Jo soon had me looking respectable again and we left the bathroom with my heartbeat almost back to normal.

The worried expression on Jake’s face as he took in my appearance brought a frown to my brow. I found a smile of sorts and he pushed himself away from the wall. He lifted one hand to my waist and the other to my cheek.

“Hey…okay?” he asked, kissing me on the forehead.

“Yeah, I will be.” I rested my hands on his chest. Despite his calm exterior his heart pumped like mad under my touch.

“You ready to go back in?” he asked.

“Yep.”

Jake nodded and guided me back to our seats.

The jury would soon be asked to make their decision as to whether Peter Stevens would spend the rest of his life in prison or be released in a few years. A not guilty verdict today would see him free and able to carry on his life in a few short years. I wasn’t ready to hear that…not by a long shot.

My eyes pooled with tears at the possibility and Jake was quick to pick up on my anxiety. He grabbed hold of my hand discreetly and held it in his lap between both his hands.

“Sorry,” I whispered, leaning into his arm, needing more contact with him than was possible at that moment in time.

“Don’t baby…you have nothing to apologize for…nothing. I love you Abbie,” he said, dropping a kiss to my head.

“All rise.”

We were snapped out of our moment as the court clerk issued his instruction and everyone stood as Judge Williams entered and lowered his large frame into his seat behind the bench. We all followed suit and then remained silent whist he gathered himself for the continuance; every eye in the room fixed firmly on his stern face.