Dabbling in Danger

All Rise

If the silence could wrap it's nimble fingers around my throat, I'd be passed out and face down against the table before me.

Judge Garth, a man with the voice of late Miles Davis, sits in the throne a ways away. On TV it seems everyone is a lot closer to each other. The man or, honour has called for opening statements which means, get the show rolling.

Francis noisily pushes away from the same table and rises to his feet.

All I have to do for now is remain seated and silent. Francis is going to clear the pathway. Granted, he nor I know just how much clearing he can do considering, I may have omitted parts of the story... Nothing too jaw dropping, just some pieces during the beach visit.

Still, I've found it a tad bit more difficult to look the man in the eye.

Either way, he'll guide me somewhere. I will say my piece when it's time, I will convince this sheep-like minded jury and by the end of this, Malina and I will walk away hand in hand, guilt-free with a world of opportunity.

"We are here today," announces Francis, hands occupied with closing a button. "To clear up any misunderstandings any of you may have been led to believe. As in human nature, we are always inclined to become jaded when given information whether that information hold any truth or not. But today is the day of enlightenment and empowerment, that is all from me."

Francis takes his seat in the same moment Hank rises to a stand.

"There is no way, with any heart one can look at this young woman and think, murderer. This is the face of another victim, a survivor... I ask all, during this trial that you keep an open ear to everything said no matter how bleak, no matter how heart wrenching, just keep an open ear."

Malina

"Please state your full name for the court."

"Malina Shaw Walker," I mumble.

"Ms. Walker, or may I call you Malina?"

I lean toward the microphone, "Malina's fine."

"Alright, alright are you from here Malina?"

I almost answer yes, then I remember where we are.

"No, I'm from Red Oakley Bay."

"Red Oakley Bay, born and raised?"

"Yes."

"Now, you were raised in foster care am I correct?"

I bow my head.

"Not until my grandmother passed away."

"And where was your sister?"

"She... She was already on her own."

"So you're saying no one contacted her before you were put into the system?"

I shrug, getting agitated by his condescending tone.

"I don't remember, I was a child. I don't know if she was contacted or not, I didn't call her."

Hank warned me about my demeanor, I have to stay calm if I'm going to convince anyway I didn't hurt my god damn sister.

"Tell me, were the two of you ever close?"

I take a breath, raise my head but stare at the carpeted floor.

"I guess we were as close as any sisters are. There was an age difference so, sometimes she thought I was too young to hang around."

"And that made you angry?"

"No. Sometimes my feelings were hurt, but I wasn't all that bothered."

"Alright so fast forward ten plus years of going from house to house, jumping from school to school you rightfully so acquired rough edges, kept your guard up am I right?"