The Trial of Jack Merridew

Chapter 1

"So. . . How do you feel about the trial tomorrow?"

". . ."

"Look, we could sit here in silence for the next thirty minutes or you could tell me what's going on in that head of yours."

Ralph looked up at the therapist from the floor he'd been focusing on. These meetings were court mandated, if it were up to him he wouldn't even be here; he didn't need a shrink to pity him once every two weeks, but it was either this or the psych ward so he could deal.

"I don't know. . . nervous I guess?" He scratched the back of his head, a habit he had picked up from years of avoiding direct eye contact. The Therapist gave him a look. . . and god how he hated that look, it was like she was glaring into the deepest chasms of his soul and judging him on everything he has ever thought in his life.

She adjusted her horned rim glasses and sat up straighter in her chair, "Let me rephrase that, how do you feel about seeing him tomorrow?"

Ralph went rigid, "I. . . I don't- I just-, my expectations aren't high, I mean- we were just kids but. . . it just feels like he's getting away with something, they're just gonna send em' to a hospital again like last time and. . . I just feel like no one believes me, they think-" he let out a nervous laugh, picking at his nails, "I think they think I'm crazy! And. . . maybe. . . maybe I am"

The last fifteen minutes went quickly after that, his therapist trying and failing to make any sort of small talk. Yet, even after the session was over and the light of day long gone, Ralph found himself lying in bed, dreading the morning that was fast approaching. Needless to say, he didn't get a wink of sleep that night.