Truth Be Told

Chapter 13

JUDGE TOLER'S CHAMBERS

Judge Lynn's POV

After that bombshell that J. Drew dropped before, I could render my decision left everyone SHOOK! The way his mother's eyes turned dark, told me just how angry she was without even saying anything. I allowed the three of them to use my chambers so J. Drew could tell them everything. Annalise went home to give them some privacy. I told Amber and her family to stay put until we were done in here. Right now, I'm sitting at my desk listening to Karen and Kierra chew J. Drew up, and let me tell you, chilllllllllle, I need some wine and popcorn right now. Okay, let me finish listening.

"Mom, please let me explain." J pleaded

"Start from the beginning. Don't leave anything out." Karen replied staring at him

"Sit down, because I want you to look at us in the eye while you're talking." Kierra told him

"Okay, I'll start from the night in question." J spoke as he sat down

"Yeah, that'll be best." Kierra replied

"Leading up to Ja'Layeah's 1st birthday, Amber had been constantly telling me to inform the both of you about the party. Seeing that she is the first grandchild/niece she wanted you both to be there. But because we were having our issues and Amber had rather us just co-parent, I told her that you two weren't able to attend because of a prior engagement in another city." J had started explaining

"That's one lie, what's the next one." Karen asked with so much venom in her tone

"The day of the party, Amber had been calling me because I hadn't made it there. I lost track of time from doing other stuff and I ended up going to the bar. I lost count of how many drinks that I had to where I couldn't remember anything. I ended up going to Amber's house about 1 a.m. and when I got there, she said that I couldn't see Ja'Layeah because I was drunk and she said that I should go home, sleep it off and come back tomorrow. That didn't sit right with me so I started an argument." J continued

"Is that when you attacked her?" Kierra asked

"Yeah, I lunged at her and pushed her into the wall and started choking her. Her mom and Amaiyah heard the commotion and came downstairs. She kicked me in the stomach to get me off of her and I fell to the ground. After I was able to get up off the floor, Amaiyah took Amber upstairs and that's when Ms. Sandra got ahold of me. She slammed me against the wall and held her arm to my throat; the same way that I did Amber. I eventually left and because I was ashamed of my actions, I found some guys at the park to beat me up." J explained

"What happened leading up to the day that Amber moved?" Kierra asked

"When she told me that she was moving, I told her that mom was making me go to rehab. She wrote a letter; this letter to mom, thanking her for getting me the help that I needed as well as detailing everything about her moving. I knew that I had lied so I got the letter out of the mail and I've kept it all of the years." J explained to Kierra

"I think I've heard enough." Karen finally spoke

"Mama, I-" J was cut off

"Don't Mama me J. Drew. I just- I honestly don't even know what to say." Karen spoke

"J, why did you lie for all of these years? All this time, you had us thinking that Amber was being a bitter baby mama and she was intentionally keeping Ja'Layeah away from us. That wasn't the situation at all. Not only did you lie, but you're telling us that you had a drinking problem, and you physically attacked the mother of your child?" Kierra spoke

"J. Drew I can't even stand to be in the same room with you right now. I can't even look at you right now. Don't even come after me." Karen spoke as she left the room

"I'll go check on her." Kierra said following behind her

"Look, J I think you should give them some time to process all of this. This was a lot that you unloaded on them." I told him

"You're right Judge. Thank you for allowing me to do this. I'm gonna head out." J told me

I let out a breath that I didn't realize that I was holding. I had to gather myself before I left. While still sitting at my desk, someone knocked on my door

"Come in." I told the person

"Hey, I saw J leave, how'd it go?" Veronica asked

"I felt like I was watching an episode of Love and Hip Hop." I told her

"That bad, huh?" She asked

"Let's just say Karen was not a happy camper." I replied

"That's who I was looking for actually. Amber them left, but she wanted me to give this to Karen." She spoke handing me a book

"What is this?" I asked

"It's a photo album of the first 5 years of Ja'Layeah's life." She replied

"Well, I don't think they left yet. I can go and give this to her." I spoke

"Also, can you give her this as well? It's my address. Sandra and I feel that she and Kierra should see their granddaughter/niece, and Amber wants to talk with Kierra as well." She told me

"Not a problem." I replied

"Thank you. Listen, I know it's been a day, and although it just hit noon. I was thinking drinks?" She asked me

"Listen, it's 5 o'clock somewhere, I'm down for whatever." I told her

"Okay, great. I'll meet you at our spot, say in about 20-25 minutes?" She spoke

"With the way, I'm feeling, I'll meet you there in 15 minutes." I responded

"See you girl." She spoke before leaving out

"Whew! I swear if I knew this is what I had to deal with as a judge, I would've suffered through those math classes and became a neurosurgeon." I spoke out loud (This is a true story of Lynn's life🤣🤣)

I gathered my things heading out the door to give the items to Karen and Kierra and then going to meet Veronica for those drinks

Wasn't going to update, but I was getting harassed. So here y'all go. Now leave me alone.

PEACE ✌🏾☮️ AND LOVE 💞💜