Will You Be There

Chapter 10

Christina’s p.o.v.

This morning drug on like every other morning that I have to prepare to go into work. I love what I do, I get to help people through a legal side of things, but I’m not so crazy about the people I work with. They all think they’re the greatest thing since sliced bread because they’re high up in the police force or any other position of a normal city justice force. That’s all they are, nothing great. I pulled into the parking lot and sighed  before getting out, already anticipating what I was about to walk into; comments about Michael, some about how cute I look and how I should let them buy me a drink later on, other rude and degrading comments because I’m one of the few women here. Yup, I work with utter dickheads. Slamming my car door shut and grabbing my bags, I made my way into the foyer and to my small side-office. About as soon as I walked in somebody was already yelling at me. “Christina, you have ten minutes to get to the conference room, you need to keep track of what is said in the meeting today between the district attorney, Jackson, and his lawyer.” I sighed and threw my stuff on my desk, “Alright I’ll be right there.” The room was quite small for a conference but fortunately the only people present were a few officers, Michael and his attorney, the D.A., and I. They began as soon as I walked in and sat down; Michael gave me a warm yet frightened smile. I shot back a warm and assuring one.  The district attorney, Tom Sneddon, began speaking, “Okay well everyone’s here, let’s get started. Mr. Jackson, you do know why you’re here and on what accounts you are being tried on?” Michael quietly nodded, “yes.” He seemed so sad and sounded as if he wanted to cry, I held back myself as I wrote down what was being said. “Okay, then you understand that child services as well as the Santa Barbara police will be involved.” He again answered quietly, “yes…” “You know the boy in questioning, Jordie Chandler, and his family correct?” “Yes.” “How many times would you say he and his family stayed at your residence?” “About 5 or 6 times,” “We’re you and the boy ever alone in a private area without supervision of any sort.” “No, his parents were usually present, and when they weren’t around at least one member of my staff was.” “Did you in any way, shape, or form come into any sexual contact with Jordie.” Michael’s head shot up and he looked at Tom as if he had just shot a puppy in front of him. You could see the pain and hurt in Michaels eyes, “No…no. I’ve never harmed a child, I could never. I would slit my wrists before I’d ever hurt a child!” he looked as if he were going to cry again, and it killed me. I wanted to so badly run to him and in some way shield him from all of this. “Mr. Jackson, you realize this boy has gone to great lengths of detail to describe several acts of sexual actions performed by you to us,” “Well, I’ve never done any of those things, I would never.” Tom looked down as if he wanted to laugh, he didn’t believe Michael and you could tell he was just stringing Michael along acting as if this entire thing was being held out fair. It was obvious that just about every one in this room other than Michael, his attorney, and I believed he actually did it. Tom cleared his throat and asked again, “Jackson this is very serious and what is being said is not taken lightly here. People who sexually assault kids are freaks and need to be dealt with in the most extreme ways possible. Now tell us, what you did with this boy that-” before he could finish Michael’s attorney finally jumped in, “No. my client will not answer that, Michael you don’t need to, you’ve done nothing wrong with Jordie.” I heard one of the police officers snicker and whisper to one of the other police officers behind me, “Bet Jacko let em play with his ‘snake’, if ya know what I mean.” I slammed my pen down and turned around and stared, and boy if I could stare daggers at this moment in time I damn well would be. They looked at me and shut up. I venomously hissed at them, “Keep your snide remarks to yourselves assholes.” I was seething; about everyone in this room believed he was guilty and were going to make his life over the next few months a living hell. I prayed and hoped that between the assholes I worked with and the dirty paparazzi Michael was chased by, the truth would find its way front and center in this big bucket of bullshit. Who was I kidding though; they never talk about the positives of Michael. I was about to burst into tears when I realized to what extents the pain and lies Michael was about to go through. I scrapped my things into my arms and dashed out before I could break down. The only quiet place I could think to escape to was the bench outside the building, so that’s where I went. Thank god for sunshine and chirping birds, because they made it a lot easier to calm down. I felt a tap on my shoulder and then someone sat down next to me, “You know you didn’t have to run out of there like that.” Michaels voice was quiet and yet so comforting. “Oh yes I did, you don’t even know. They were-” he cut me off with his finger to my lips, “I heard them, Christina.” My heart sunk, I was hoping I was the only one who caught that remark. “Michael I know it’s not true, but it’s so ru-” “Christina….it’s okay.” He paused and looked out at the birds playing in the puddle near the sidewalk, “Being who I am and doing what I do for so long, I’ve heard some pretty mean things said and written about me. Everyone has their own opinion; whether they’re right or wrong, I can’t make them believe everything I say or do. There are always going to be some mean spirited people who want to make you feel bad….. bring you down with them, and I’ve had to learn to just deal with it, no matter how much what they say hurts…but thank you for standing up for me. You wouldn’t believe how many of my so-called friends wouldn’t have done that.” His statement broke my heart, the more and more I talked to him the more I understood how much he had to endure and do it alone. “Yeah, you’re welcome.” I sighed and smiled at him, at least he wasn’t too upset about what just happened, or at least he didn’t seem to be. “Say Christina, what do you say we go and get some coffee or ice cream or something? As a thank you?” I giggled a little, “Michael you don’t have to, really.” He stood up and held his hand out for me, “But I insist.” “Alright, but only because you’re just too cute, applehead.” I pinched his cheek and cooed at him and he began to blush. I laughed and we headed to the black SUV Michael came in.