The Rookie and Me: Second Chances (COMPLETE)

The Witness Stand

Tyler's defense team presents their evidence of the break in. They lay out pictures taken by the police. Pictures of the damage done to Tyler's front room, pictures of Tyler's hands after beating Joe senseless, and lastly, pictures of Joe's victim... me.

We can hear light gasps from a few of the members of the public sitting in the back of the courtroom when the first picture of me is laid out in front of them. I look down at my feet while they continue presenting picture after picture of the damage that he did to me. After what felt like hours, they put the photographs away and wait for the judge to make the next move. 

The judge clears his throat and says, "Does the defense have any witnesses they would like to call?" 

Tyler's attorney stands and says, "Yes, Your Honor. The defense would like to call Dr. Michael Taylor to the stand." 

We watch as Dr. Taylor makes his way up to the bailiff and swears himself in. He takes his seat on the witness stand and the defense begins questioning him. 

Tyler's attorney questioned my doctor on the condition that I was in when the ambulance arrived at the hospital. Dr. Taylor describes the blood loss, how many transfusions I received, the 14 staples in my head from Joe slamming it into a picture frame. And finally, the hardest thing I have been reminded of thus far...

"We ultimately had to evacuate the fetus from the patient. We estimate it was only about 5 or 6 weeks along. There was just too much damage to her abdomen to save the fetus." Dr. Taylor describes to Tyler's attorney as gently as possible.

Tyler's attorney pauses for a moment then asks, "In your professional opinion, would that fetus have survived a full term pregnancy if it weren't for the attack?"

Dr. Taylor breathes in deep and says, "There was no reason to suspect that the patient would not have carried to term had it not been for the attack. She was a healthy, young woman who carried another healthy child to term just 4 years before the attack."

"No further questions, Your Honor." The attorney walks away and sits down next to Tyler. 

The judge asks Joe's attorney's if they have any further questions for the witness. They decline and wait for Tyler's team to call their last witness. 

"Your Honor, the defense would like to call Alice Walker to the stand." Tyler's attorney states as he buttons his suit jacket. 

I take a deep breath and walk to the front of the courtroom. I place my hand on the bible and swear myself in. I walk around and take my seat on the witness stand. I look at Tyler, terrified that I'm going to screw up this entire case for him. Keep it together, Ali. You can do this. As hard as I try not to make eye contact, I glance over at Joe, sitting there in handcuffs smirking at me like he knows exactly what I'm thinking. Shit, I can't do this. How the fuck am I going to get through this?! 

Tyler's attorney clears his throat softly and asks me, "Ali, in as much detail as you can remember, can you please describe what happened the morning of February 23rd?" 

I take a deep breath and say, "Well, that morning I could not settle my stomach for anything. I vomited multiple times and just couldn't keep anything down. So my boyfriend, Tyler, ran up to the store to get some medicine, hoping that would settle everything for me. When he left, just minutes later, Joe showed up on our doorstep."

Tyler's attorney interjects and asks, "Did you know the plaintiff before the attack?" 

I stay focused on the attorney's question and keep my eyes as far from Joe as possible, "Yes, I did. We were in a relationship for over 5 years. He is the father of my child. I packed everything and left him a week before Thanksgiving."