"Semi-Short Stories" [ Story Collection ]

The Trial [] 8/12 []

They'd taken a second break after that statement. The atmosphere of the courtroom had completely changed after Josie had read her letter - everyone was somber. Connor and Penny had answered every question they were asked. As Penny returns to her seat, the female attorney stands.

"Permission to call a witness to the stand? Before Mr. Theodorescu speaks, preferably. It's important that my witness speaks beforehand."

The judge, eyes now dry, tilts his head in thought. He eventually nods. This case is proving more than he expected it to be - he'd like to see where this goes. The attorney rounds her table and stands in front of the judge, her back to him.

"I'd like to call Mr. Ciobanu to the witness stand."

The man in the fedora and grey suit gets to his feet. He can be heard clearing his throat and nearly trips over the edge of the pew he'd been sitting in. He makes his way to the attorney, pausing awkwardly before stepping into the little box and taking a seat. He clears his throat again. The attorney addresses the room as she speaks.

"Mr. Ciobanu contacted me a few days ago and told me something very interesting. Perhaps it won't affect the outcome of this particular case, but I believe that it is something that should be known. I believe it deserves to be known." She turns to the man. "Sir, will you please state your name to the court?"

"My name, ah,-" His accent is thick, as if he didn't speak English very often. "My name is Cosmin Iulian Ciobanu."

"And will you inform everyone here why you contacted me?"

"I'm friends with someone who is friends with Daciana on Facebook, and she was in my friend suggestions. Considering our past, I was naturally curious, so I scrolled through her profile. Someone had posted about this case and she was tagged. When I read up on it and read all of the names involved, I did some digging, found out who the attorney representing the kids was, and called her. Or, you."

"And why did you feel the need to call me, Mr. Ciobanu? What about that article had caught your attention?"

"It wasn't just the article, ma'am. I looked through some old pictures that Daciana had posted, and I saw this little kid with bright red hair and hazel eyes and with the name similarities - I never would have expected Daciana to choose that for a middle name, but-"

"Mr. Ciobanu."

"Sorry! Sorry. Right. The reason I called you, the reason I'm here, right!" Cosmin leans to the little microphone in front of him. He's removed his fedora and placed it aside. His hair is ginger. "I'm almost one-hundred percent certain that Max is my child. And if this is true, I'm going to fight for custody. That is why I'm here."

Eyes turn to Max. They're staring forward blankly, in shock. They turn to the judge after a moment of silence.

"Can we take another break?"