It Started As a Deal

Chapter 37: A Date with the Court

"We accept the love we think we deserve" ~ Stephen Chbosky

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"Are you ready Imogen?" Jessica asked opening the door to the hotel room we shared.  I was discharged from the hospital a week after the police visit and for the last week, we've been staying in a hotel.  The reason was that Hunter was involved in a court case for 11 counts of kidnapping and 1 count of endangerment of a child, and I was to be called up as a witness some point in the trial.  We didn't know when I would be needed, so we decided to stay in town instead of driving back and forth between here and home.  Millie and Josh stayed with Rosalinda and Evangeline while the rest of us went to court.  "We're going to be late if you don't hurry up.  What are you even doing anyway?" I head the click of her heels on the floor and slipped Hunter's ring into my dress pocket.  My sister hated seeing me wear it, but I couldn't bear to part with it or deny the fact that the marriage happened.

"Nothing!" I shout out jumping in surprise as she flung the door open.  "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"  My heart rate began to slow down since I knew it was her and not someone else (even though it couldn't be another person).

"No, but I'm sure the court will if we're late again," she said taking ahold of my hand and dragging me with her out of the room and to the elevators.  I looked out the window by the elevators and saw news crew vans outside by the front of the hotel.

"They're here again," I whined tugging on my sister's sleeve as the elevator descended.

"Don't worry about it; I got you.  If they ask you a question, say no comment.  If they get too close to you ask them to leave you alone.  And then if they don't stop, I'll knock them out," she said squeezing my hand tightly as we exited the elevator and walked out the hotel.  As soon as the automated doors closed, we were bombarded with cameras and microphones in our faces hearing a frenzy of questions.

"Imogen, how do you feel with your husband on trial?"

"Why have you married the son of your rapist and almost killer?"

"Is this his revenge for you murdering his father?"

"Are you pregnant?"

"Leave my sister alone!  You are causing her to be under more stress than she actually is!  All of your questions will be answered through the trial!  Now step the fuck off!" Jessica shouted at them swiping away a camera that was trying to zoom in on my crying face.  She began to elbow people away making a path for us to safely walk to her car.  The whole time though, the different crews were following alongside us and practically barricaded us as my sister tried to back out.  "I swear to God I will run these people over if they don't move!"  Her hand was on the horn letting out a long sound as she backed up, faster now, causing the crowd to move away.  She stayed like this until we were finally on the road, and she took off at record speed for her.

"I really hate those news reporters," I tell her gazing out the window watching the courthouse approach.  My stomach began to turn into knots, and I prayed I wouldn't become sick.

"Everybody does Imogen," she responded letting out a sigh as she turned into the parking lot of the courthouse.  "The faster this trial is done with, the faster we can get you away from the spotlight."

"Some spotlight huh," I snorted out unbuckling my seatbelt, "I thought they would be over it by now with the trial dragging on as long as it has."

"They probably see this as the case being more interesting than it really is," she said coming around the side of the car and taking my hand.  "You got this alright."

"If you say so," I mumble walking up the steps with her and then opening the doors.  The lobby was quieter than it normally is meaning that we were in fact late.  I heard Jessica say something to the bailiff, but I was no longer paying attention.  A doctor was on the stand finishing up his statement about mental disorders and how they developed.