Dancing in the Oaks

Maybe there is Light at the End of the Tunnel

Once the court trial began, that's when reality hit. When they brought out my family and the Dales I guess I can say that I almost threw up. The judge was very nice and willing to hear both sides of the story. When he called me up to give my story I felt my heart fall. I whispered to Nick, "please stand with me."

"Okay, but you have to talk." He stood up next to me.

"I am Norah, daughter of both Patty and Logaan. Sister to Berry. Uhm... I don't even know where to even begin." Nick put his hand on my back. "I never thought that I would be standing before you, your honor, having to testify against my parents. I never thought I would ever have to step foot in a courtroom, or a courthouse. I testify against them. They have wronged me, this town, and Nick. I also wanna testify against the Dales. All 7 of these people are equally as guilty as one another. There is plenty of evidence to prove that is fact. Dareck Reed didn't do anything wrong. He was just there trying to help. Sure we did make a deep mistake with that one. I still feel so bad about that. They were all guilty for causing the barn fire. Berry hurt both Nick and I verbally and physically." I saw the look of death my parents were giving me. "I crossed my heart that I would stay with Nick forever. They almost took him away and killed him quite a few times now. Your honor, there is so much evidence of this. Thank you." I sat back down and Nick did too. I laid my head on his shoulder.

"You alright? That was good." Nick asked.

"Yeah I'm alright." I wanted to just kiss him so bad. My attention turned away from Nick's question and back up to the Jury when the judge asked Berry to give her statement. In the beginning I felt tense and worried, but as time grew on I was able to loosen up and come to terms with what was happening.

"Hi, I'm Berry." Her tone was aggressive. "Oh please, Norah, quit giving a sob story. It was you that brought this upon yourself. You were the one that caught the barn on fire. See, you are nothing but a piece of trash. Norah Jean was the one that murdered the twelve bodies in her basement. She attempted to murder Nick! She never crossed her heart that she would stay with him forever. Norah is nothin' but a phony. She is the one that has split this town down the center. I hate you Norah. We never did anything wrong." She was almost yelling.

I began to get emotional as the daggers were being thrown at me, but I made a contract with myself saying that I wouldn't. It just hurt so bad. "Don't listen to her Norah. We will figure this out later." Nick said as he kissed my cheek.

The judge then asked my mother to give her 'wonderful' statement of ideas. I rolled my eyes because I knew this would be bad. "So... Norah, why do you accuse us of this?"

"You may answer the question." Mr. McKay said.

My hazel eyes looked up at her, "Mom, you know why, I have evidence. You told me you committed forgery and arson and hurt people. How can I just brush that under the rug? I cannot. That is just something so far out of my league."

"Fine! You are so blind sided Norah. You've blindsided Nick too. You're so rude Norah. Trying to put us in prison and stealing our house from us!" For some reason my mother thinks she can blame everything on me. That is not what happened at all. I know the truth, but it is amazing how they all keep denying it.

"Stealing? Y'all were practically dead for the duration that I did that. By the way: Nick had nothing to do with that too. It was all me." I said.

"We don't like you." My mother said, "Ain't that the only reasonable assumption anyways?"

I held back the wall of tears. "Well, I think I can finally say that about you too. Maybe y'all should take a look in the mirror."

The judge split the conversation and turned it to my father. "I'm sorry Norah, but I have always appreciated you. You've always been a great person. Stood up for what is right. Been there when I needed help." That was all my father said. If there is anyone up in the criminal stand that supported me somewhat it was my father. He always somewhat stood by my side.