Crossroads

Ch. 27: Daddy's Home

India

3 weeks later

There I was, bright and early on a Monday morning, sitting alongside the judge as I stared into Khalil's beautiful green eyes. He sat at the defendant's table with the lawyer John hired to defend him. I looked at all the faces of the people in the courtroom who watched me intensely. I looked to my right at the judge who was writing something on a paper. The cross-examiner who was posing against Khalil stood in front of me as if wanting to see me break.

I was here today to testify as a witness to the incident that happened that had Khalil in here. I couldn't stand to see him in the ugly orange jumper looking hopeless. All my 18 years on this earth I never thought I would have to be in this predicament to prevent my boyfriend from being in prison or to minimize his sentence at least.

"Miss Westbrook, may you please tell us once again, what happened the day of the incident," the lawyer asked for the third time since I've been up here. "And must I remind you that you swore on the bible to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

I rolled my eyes simply because I hated repeating myself. He was trying to make a fool out of me. "I told you what happened twice already. Are you trying to imply that I'm not telling the truth? Were you there when it happened?" I said with blatant attitude.

Khalil's lawyer shot me a warning look as if telling me to watch what I said.

"Answer the question, Westbrook," the judge ordered.

I sighed, "Khalil and I were in the comfort of his home when Mr. Simmons barged in upset holding an armed weapon to Khalil. Khalil, out of defense, raised his weapon as well. Warning shots were fired to intercept them. Thats all that happened until the cops came."

"Is that all?" The lawyer asked me.

I mentally cursed him out and nodded.

"So you're saying Mr. Simmons should be held accountable," he suggested.

I almost slapped myself. I hated this man dearly.

"Objection, your honor!" Khalil's lawyer, who was the same lawyer that got Daniel and Cameron out, yelled standing up abruptly.

"Yes, Mrs. Anderson?" Judge gave her floor to speak.

"Your honor, Daniel Simmons' charges have already been dropped. It's of no relevance to the court," she explained.

He nodded and motioned for her to sit back down. "Proceed."

"Now, Westbrook, are you saying that it was right that Mr. Underwood held someone at gunpoint?" The lawyer loosened his tie and smirked at me.

"No, I'm not saying it was right bu-"

"That's all I wanted to hear," he interrupted me as he turned to the jury as if telling them they should vote Khalil guilty.

My blood boiled and my heart rate slowed as I registered my mistake. I should've said yes and that he had the right to defend himself. I saw my vision beginning to blur with tears as I looked at Khalil who hung his head down, not wanting to look at me.

I couldn't stop myself from bursting into tears in the courtroom. I heard murmurs from the spectators as everyone was surprised by my outburst. I knew it was his job but couldn't any decent human understand the torment families experience at times like these?

"Westbrook, compose yourself," the judge said.

I sighed and covered my face as I sobbed. "I'm sorry." I was advised by Mrs Anderson, Khalil's lawyer, to play the emotional girlfriend role in order to soften the jury's hearts a bit. Little did she know, that didn't require much role play because I was naturally an emotional wreck.