In search for the origins

Part 24

Three months later

-Everyone stand up. People of California vs Richard and Marjorie Stevens. Presides the honorable William Q. Donaldson.

I took a quick look all around. The hall was full with journalists and bystanders who didn't intend to miss the trial. I didn't really understand their interest, though...I'd have wanted it to be private, since it was about private affairs, but...It wasn't me who decided it.

Charles, Allen and Jess were in the second row, along with Sue, Becky and their mother. Hugh, May and me, the prosecution witnesses, were in the first row. And with a small fence between us and them, were the Stevens, with their lawyer...I felt nothing when I saw them, not even despise.

It had been agreed that Hugh would testify first, then May and finally me. So, it was a kind of a shock when one of the ballifss called the first witness.

-Mrs Elspeth Sanders. 

May and me looked at each other, really puzzled, and then we looked at Charles. He had a light smile, and just nodded...Our mother told each and every detail she remembered of her days working with the Stevens, and when she talked about May's birth , some murmurings were heard. May was quite uneasy with that being revealed, she hadn't even told her closest friends. 

Hugh, without the caster but with the help of a cane, went next to the stand, and  talked about his attack. Stevens' lawyer tried to discredit him, by questioning how could he allow his daughter and her boyfriend slept under the same roof, but the judge rejected that question. 

May was next. Our lawyer didn't want her to talk about her birth circumstances , so she was asked mainly about the Stevens' behaviour as parents....and well, she told some stories even I didn't remember. Or had done my best to forget....

And finally, it was my turn. I was ready to face every unconfortable question their lawyer wanted to pose me. And with every answer, I stared at them both. He looked back at me, while she retired it a couple of times...

*****

Sue

I squeezed Andy's hand before he had to testify. It had been a long, troubled way but things had finally got settled. I had to look serious, but deep inside, my heart was just dancing. And when Elsie was called to testify....I would have given anything to see the expression of those two!  When May and Andy were testifying, I couldn't help paying attention to what people behind me was saying...and I hoped the Jury thought like them.

That very day, the trial was over. As we walked out of the courthouse, our lawyer told us he thought the Jury would have a verdict in less than two days.

*****

May

I got up and went to the stand with a firm step. It was the first time I used high heels shoes, and I took my time in walking, so the Stevens could listen every step I took. I wanted them to know I...we had finally defeated them. From my seat in the stand, before my statement began, I looked at them with all the disregard I had accumulated.  Besides, the fact of having to hear how and why had I been conceived, had added fuel to my anger. It was something too private and too painful as to be publicly. I told every detail, as small or meaningless as it could be, I remembered. With each one of my words, it was them who got smaller and smaller...and then, when the verdict was announced, they were completely irrelevant.

*****

Guilty of attempted homicide. Accomplice of attempted homicide . I let go a long, relieved sigh before turning  around, to a smiling Sue, and hugging her "It's over...it's over!!" . Charles, Allen and Jess came to congratulate us. My mother was by the door, maybe waiting to talk to us too. I guess she deserves being listened....some day I will do it, eventually.

I walked out of the court hall as relaxed as I had just been born. And, in a certain way, it was just like that. 

A brand new life was waiting for me. And I intended to enjoy every single moment of it.

A/N

This is the end of In search for the origins.. I hope you've all enjoyed it, and want to  thank all the readers, reviewers, voters...and quite specifically, MichelleSmith473 and Holly-60s.  Thanks for your support! 

As I said, I'm thinking of taking a hopefully short break in writing...anyway, I'll stay around, as a reader...and ready to go back writing in any moment!