Under the Mango Tree: 101 Tales (4)

PENALTY

Challenge No.64 - Finish the Sentence.

Pick any of the prompts in this article.

Finish the sentence, and begin your story!

*

Author's note: I didn't quite understand this one.

I just ran with any of the prompts in the article, in this case...

Prompt No.37: Happy New Year.

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The prison gate clanged shut and the sound ricocheted down the passage forcing the unreality of the moment to register on Malcolm. He followed the guard, their footsteps echoing on the bare floor. They arrived at the room reserved for lawyer-client consultations.

"Hail when you done." The guard said.

"As usual," Malcolm replied as he entered.

The woman inside looked up. "MALCOLM!"

Fran Regis was a small black woman, now to Malcolm she seemed tiny, even gaunt. "Fran!"

"I didn't think you'd come." She sighed.

"I don't know why you'd think that. I have always been yours to command." He sat.

"Don't. Not now."

"I wasn't going to. It was just a factual answer to an honest question." He pulled a file out of his case.

He'd already read the police report, but he gave the papers a cursory glance before he spoke "Did you really sit drinking a glass of wine, watching the New Year's fireworks, with Jerry's dead body in the next room?"

"Moscato." She replied.

"Pardon?"

"I was drinking Moscato wine when the police arrived." Fran elaborated. "And I'm the one who called and made the report of a killing."

"Uh-huh." Malcolm let that comment pass. "How do you want to plead?"

"Guilty, of course."

"Fran."

She stopped him. "I did it, Malcolm. No one else. Me. So, let's not waste people's time and money."

"You're the client."

"Thank you."

"Not at all." He stood. "That's it? Are you okay? You need anything?"

"A time machine. You wouldn't happen to have one in that attaché case of yours?"

He sat. "Why a time machine?"

"So that I could make different choices. Not picked up that gun. Not learned how to use it. Not taken a life."

"Jerry was a cockroach. Who thinks twice about killing one of those?"

"Maybe. Maybe I'd end up in a different place. With a different person. Different results."

Malcolm absorbed what she was saying. "Time machine is not needed. I'm here."

"Jerry suspected I was having an affair. He just didn't know with who."

"Jerry was a fool. There was no affair except maybe with your spreadsheets." Malcolm snapped.

"You've always had faith in me. You've been a good friend to me."

Malcolm snorted.

"I love him... once."

"As I love you."

"I'm going to do jail time for this. Maybe I'll never get out."

"Yes. You will do time. I'll do my best. You know that. I'll get as short a sentence as possible. The domestic violence aspect of the case will mitigate in your favour a bit. But as brutal as he was, you did take a life." Malcolm replied.

He stood again. "I'll try to get bail. I'll come by tomorrow afternoon. Just hold tight."

"Is it too late?"

Their eyes held. "No. Not for me."

She nodded. Then as he reached for the buzzer, Fran spoke.

"Maybe Jerry knew it before I did. I love you too."

© 3 May 2022

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