Protected

The Verdicts of Truth

"Would Carson Trayco please step to the witness stand."
I eye Carson as he stands and walks down the aisle. He looks slick in a green and blue button down and khakis. He's the picture of confidence, no hint of nervousness in his swagger, though I know it's feigned.

I wish I could've achieved that.

He steps into the box and answers the questions with dignity, then he's given the floor.
I watch him pause, contemplating what he's going to say.
As soon as Carson opens his mouth and begins to re-live those three months, his confidence leaves him. I watch his shoulders sag, and his voice has a broken edge to it. When he speaks about my abuse, his voice cracks and he has to pause to breathe. I know this isn't an act to gain pity.
He talks of things that I didn't know happened to him. Things that Boss did while I wasn't around.
I admire Carson while he's up there. He speaks well. No "um's" or "likes" here. He's straightforward and eloquent.
I love him.
Stop such pointless thoughts Lexi. You're not in need of a protector anymore. You allowed yourself those thoughts back then because you needed comfort. Not anymore.
It's time to get back into the act of self-denial. Bring back my abnegation.
Carson finishes and I'm tempted to applaud, but I know it's not the right setting. When he sits, his mom hugs him and whispers something in his ear that makes him smile.
I zone out for the rest of the trial, while the defending lawyer speaks. All this legal stuff that I don't understand.
It's two hours before they finally bring the verdict.
Syds mom leans forward in her seat, anxious to hear her sons punishment. The judge opens his mouth.
"For Sydney Fletcher, on charges of underage smoking, drinking, and disorderly conduct, 9 months in a juvenile detention center and 3 months of community service."
I breathe a sigh of relief. Not too harsh.
"For Gregory Marshall, on charges of illegal selling of drugs, child abuse, disorderly conduct, unpaid fines and child abduction, 20-30 years in prison with a $250,000 bail."
I feel myself draining, happy that Smalls is getting just punishment.
"For Rolan Mynard, on charges of child abduction, 1st degree murder, animal abuse, child abuse, illegal selling of drugs, forgery, swindling, disorderly conduct and providing alcohol to minors, lifetime in prison on $600,000 bail."
What's this about 1st degree murder?
I look at Carson, who appears just as shocked as me.
His name is Rolan Mynard?
Syd looks down at his feet and then twists around to look at me. I wish I could read regret in his eyes, but I don't. His expression is unreadable.
I can't take it. I need to get out.
I stand up and elbow my way through people, heading for the restroom. When I reach the hallway I break into a sprint but before I get far, someone grabs my good arm and jerks me around.

Mrs. Fletcher.

Syds mom.

She looks at me, glaring into my eyes.
"I never liked you." She hissed.
I'm taken aback, words escaping me.
"You seemed fake, sugary sweet. Kind to my Syd, but you were faking him out. You were going to use him."
I'm shocked, I know she's always liked me. I can tell when people lie, she wasn't lying back then.

And she's not lying now.

"This whole thing is proof, Alexia." She continues, her eyes sending bullets into mine. "You brought him into this and didn't care enough to bring him out."
Tears spring to her eyes and she sniffs.
"I hate you, Lexi Nahorm. You stole my son. I hate you for that."
I yank my arm away from her, turn on my heel and dart into the bathroom.
I bite my lip and face myself in the mirror, fighting back tears. I reach up and rip my hair out of its braided coronet, letting it cascade over my shoulders in scarlet waves.
There's a feeling in the world that I detest, and it's being hated. It feels awful.
Poor Syd. Poor Mrs. Fletcher.

Poor Lexi.

After giving myself a few minutes to calm down, I leave the bathroom. My hair is a mess and my emotions are everywhere, but I'm alive.
My parents reach their arms out to me when I see them, and I lean into their arms.

We go out to lunch with the Trayco's, but I don't know if we are celebrating or mourning.
I ask my dad if he knew anything about Boss- er, Rolan -being a murderer. He sighs and nods.
"It was his partner before Smalls. That's why the police were already on alert for him."
I love my dad. He didn't go into detail that would upset me, just told me what I wanted to know in straightforward way to keep me calm.
I turn to Carson and ask about what he shared. Then we both turn to our parents, who haven't actually heard the whole story in detail until today. Liz and Cal, my mom and dad, everyone has questions and all questions get answered.

When we go back to the hotel, Carson suggests swimming. I agree that it would be fun and rush to change into my swimsuit. I hurry, giving myself a little time because I have an errand I want to run. Grabbing my room key, I rush down to the lobby and ask after Noir, wanting to know his room so I can ask if he wants to swim.
"No, I'm sorry miss. That family checked out today."
I nod and thank her, then turn for the outdoor pool.
Stretching out on a lounge chair, I pull my hair into a bun on top of my head. Placing a towel next to me, I reserve the chair for Carson.
"Hey stranger."
"Hi Carson, I saved you a seat. And no, I do not want to get in yet. I am going to lay here and try to relax some of the tension away."
A gleam comes into Carson's eyes, and he cocks an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
I nod. "Yes that's so."
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
Next thing I know, he slides his arms under my legs and neck and scoops me up like a baby. I shriek and pound my fist against his back.
"Carson put me down! Right now. Right NOW! This isn't fair! I can't even fight you legitimately I only have one arm! Carson do you hear me? I want to keep my hair dry!"
He laughs and says, "You can blowdry it later because right now it's getting wet."
And before I can even reply, he launches himself off into the deep end. I shriek one last time and bury my face in his neck before I'm enveloped in cold water.
I jerk away and come up sputtering, my bun falling out and red strands dripping water into my eyes. I splash water at him and he laughs. I laugh too, realizing that this will release my tension much better than tanning will.
After swimming for a while, we get out and order non-alcoholic drinks, me a piña colada and Carson a chocolate dakory. We laugh and chat and hang out, the darkness of our day slowly getting pushed back by the lightness of our conversation.

But it's with fear that I climb into bed that night. I don't fear Boss or Smalls anymore, but I know I will have nightmares and I know they will be different, darker.

And that scares me.

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Sorry for long chapter folks, but I'm not sure you mind. Thank you so so much for reading, it means a lot. You guys are what keep me going, help me to continue writing. Votes are such and encouragement so don't forget to leave some! Comments and votes are my FAVORITE!

-M.R