When Summer Ends

Chapter 23

3-6-2022

I'm pulled from the painful memory as a voice speaks. "All rise." Rustling fills the room as people stand, and I watch as a short, plump man enters the room, and takes his seat at The Bench.

"You may be seated." The judge says, and with that, the trial officially begins.

My lawyer stands and begins explaining what he called 'our side' of the events that transpired between Gabe and I. I didn't like that William said 'our side', because it didn't happen to him. It happened to me.

He covers all of the basics, starting at the beginning when Gabe first got emotionally abusive, and ending when I last saw him in Wrightsville.

Next, Gabe's attorney stands to tell his side of the story. He tells it in a way that makes Gabe seem like the victim, and I feel sick.

Gabe is the first to make his statement, and my stomach rolls as he stands to make his way to the stand. I can't seem to understand the words he's saying, at least until he says, "I'm not guilty of this. My ex-girlfriend is mentally unstable, and often makes things up in order to get her way. I never once laid a hand on her to harm her. She is a very clumsy person, and would frequently acquire bruises and cuts from her clumsiness. I tried on multiple occasions to take her to the hospital with the more serious injuries, but she refused. That is, until she fell off her bike while riding and broke her arm. Only then did she finally agree to go to the hospital."

Heat fills my face as Gabe talks, and a roaring sound fills my ears. William places a warm hand on my arm, his way of reminding me to not react. He'd warned me that this would happen, I just hadn't expected it to be this bad.

How had I ever thought myself in love with Gabe? I ask myself.

The same way some people here may believe his story. He is a manipulator. He knows how to get his way. He knows the right words to say to get people to believe and pity him. He knows exactly how to play the victim.

Gabe talks for another few minutes before I'm finally called to the stand. First, I will give my statement. Then, William will ask me questions, followed by Gabe's attorney. My legs shake as I walk to the chair, still clutching my envelope, and I pray that my voice will stay steady. When I finally sit, I have a clear view of Rylie. The look on her face terrifies me. I almost wonder if Gabe's statement affected her more than it affected me. Her eyes are darker than I'd ever seen them, filled with a deep anger and hatred that I didn't know she was capable of. Her hands are clenched into fists on her lap, her knuckles a stark white against the black fabric of her skirt.

My mother sits beside Rylie in a similar position, and I can see that she's just as mad. I feel comforted that I have these two on my side, at least.

After swearing on the bible and with one final look at Rylie, I begin telling my statement. I had written down every single detail of every incident that I could remember, and I read it all to the courtroom.

"Gabe started out as the perfect boyfriend. He was sweet, kind, and willing to do anything for me. Then, he got emotionally abusive. It started out small, at first. Little rude remarks or comments, but they quickly got bigger. Every time I would do any little thing to upset him, he got worse.

"Gabe got mad about anything, big or small. He would get mad if I saw my best friend without telling him. Or if I talked at all with any of his guy friends. Or any guy, for that matter. "The more I talk, the easier it gets.

"Once I turned 16, the physical abuse started. He started with small things, like grabbing me too hard or shoving me. Then it worsened, and he started slapping or even hitting me. I always had to find ways to cover the damage he'd done because I knew if anyone found out, he would only get worse. But he got worse anyway.