Cliché, Complicated and Confusing.

30

Two weeks later

''I need to prep you for your trial but I am not going to do that, Marshall is.'' Spencer says as we sit in Romeo's apartment. Its been a crazy two weeks. Romeo's mother wants to fight for a custody battle for the kids and take him to court for physical abuse. Romeo hired Spencer to do this and it was not pretty. Marshall, who was started at law school was practising with this.

''Just remember, I am throwing out the worst case scenario.'' Marshall says looking at his papers. I was sitting next to Romeo on a separate couch than Julie. Spencer sat down on the opposite couch while Marshall walks around.

''So, to get started. You have thrown a lot of accusations around here Mrs Reece. You are accusing Mr Reece of assault and battery.'' Marshall says. '''Is this correct?''

''Yes.'' Julie says looking at her lap. I know Romeo felt uncomfortable as hell.

''When was the first time he has ever abused you?''

''After my youngest was born 2 years ago.''

''And you decided to still carry on staying with him?'' Marshall asks.

''Yes.''

''How would you describe Mr Reece?''

''Loving father but he has anger issues. He snaps within a second.''

''Can you give us an example of what he would snap at?''

''I would come home later than he expected me to..''

''Would you say that disappointment was an issue because he waited for you all day and for you to show up late?'' Marshall asks. He was good at this.

''No. He was just very possessive.''

''How could you tell?''

''He did not like me talking to someone from the opposite sex.''

''Yet you choose to stay with him two years after he showed these behaviours?''

''Yes.''

''Why?''

''I loved him.'' She says after a while.

''I thought he could change. He told me he would.''

''Has nobody ever lied to you Mrs Reece?''

''They have.''

''Our client has shown that you are very aggressive yourself. Is that right?''

''No.''

''Well, your record says otherwise. You have had numerous bans from bars and restaurants due to problems with other customers or employees. So would you still not see yourself as aggressive?''

''Maybe?'' Julie says clearly upset. ''I did not do anything to deserve his harsh treatments.'' She sas out of nowhere.

''Would you say that you might pushed him to physically abuse you?'' Marshall asks and Romeo's body language told me he was not happy.

''No!'' She says.

''Have you ever laid hands on your husband?'' Marshall continues staring at her. He was not breaking and I liked it. He would become a good lawyer. I saw he was taking this very serious.

''When we were fighting yes.''

''So what gives you the right to physically assault him? Would you not say it would be self defense?''

''No!'' She cries out. ''I never pushed him to that limit. He always started shit.''

''Thats enough.'' Romeo says looking at Marshall.