In The Closet

Chapter 14

Danny and Taylor arrived at court along with his parents. There were a lot of people walking around in their suits, looking very professional. They made their way to the meeting room before court started. The number 407 was written on the side of the door. They made their way inside, where Danny's lawyer was sitting at the table with a bunch of papers he was stacking. "Ah hello Danny, my names Peter Barr, I'll be defending you today." He shook Danny's hand along with everyone else.

"Nice to meet you" Danny greeted him.

"Tough and ready?" He asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be.." he gave him a small smile, but it was clear that he was nervous.

"Follow me" Peter led them to where court would be in session, no one was inside there yet besides people that would be watching the trial. Danny sat with Taylor and them, which was right behind the lawyer's table. Danny turned to look over at the door, which he heard open. It echoed and squeaked a bit every time it moved. His mother and her lawyer walked in, that was the first time he saw her since she hurt him and kicked him out. His heart raced so much he could feel his pulse in his ears, his throat was so dry it was hard for him to swallow. Taylor grabbed Danny's hand and didn't let go of it. Danny continued to look at his mother as she took her seat.

She wore a long green dress that had flowers on it, it had long sleeves, the dress went all the way down to her ankles. Her hair was in a bun, not one little curl out of place. She wore makeup, just a light touch, nothing crazy. She wore her cross necklace that she never took off and a few rings she always wore, the rings that cut his cheek with the slap. He tried taking deep breaths and quickly looked away from her before she looked at him, he didn't want to look her in the eyes. A lot of people came from church that he recognized, a bunch of them made signs. 'Surely god is my salvation, I will trust in him, the lord is my strength. He has become my salvation'. He couldn't help but roll his eyes at those signs.

"Please rise" one of the men informed everyone which made everyone stand up. The jury and the judge walked into the room. Once the judge took his seat, he informed everyone to be seated.

"Court is now in session." The judge pounded the gavel. "Peter, you may start with your statement." The judge looked over at Peter and Danny. Peter stood up from his seat and stood in front of everyone.

"Thank you, your honor, and thank you Jury for being here today. "This is an unfortunate event that has taken place, which we always hear about, abuse, it is more common than it should be. You will hear stories from Danny and of course from the defendant, and it is your job to decide who's telling the truth, and hopefully you can see who that is. Daniel Rossi is a victim of abuse in the hands of his mother, Ruth Rossi." Peter sat down. Danny continued to hold onto Taylor's hand and squeezed it.

"Dean Evans, you may make your statement" the judge looked over to them. Danny had no idea what he was going to say, was he going to say the same thing but change it up? She was lying so that means her lawyer has to be to, right?

"Thank you, your honor and jury. Peter is right about one thing, the truth and how you'll be hearing stories and of course you will want to take his side, he's a child but his mother, Ruth Rossi, isn't a monster that they will try to make her out to be. She's been in the church since she was a little girl, she donates to a bunch of charities, and she took care of her son. She gave him food; a roof over his head, and love like any mother would. She would never abuse anyone, and you'll get to see what kind of person she really is, not the lies they will be feeding you." Dean sat down. Danny's whole body was shaking, he didn't know if it was from rage, fear, sadness or all of the above. He just wanted to stand up and scream, but he couldn't do that, he had to just sit there in silence, like he's been used to for many years.