Jury Read online

  “Cheers.”

  Taylor touched both cups with his and then drank from it. He looked at both their cups and drained the contents as well. He lay down and looked up at the evening sky as his tears started falling.

  “I miss you guys so much.” He sobbed. “I am sorry I have not come to see you in six years, but I am sure you know why and you are not angry at me. I have just not really accepted the fact that you are both gone. Plus, the drive down here is way too long for me to visit regularly.”

  Taylor chuckled and wiped his tears. Now that he had apologized, he felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He laid there and just watched the clouds move through the sky; the sunset was so beautiful at this time. He took a deep breath in and let it out with a huge sigh.

  “I went to church today, mum, and I felt so joyful as the service went on. School has been fine. Emily, my best friend, is taking a good care of me and she reminds me of you, mum. Malia is as sweet as she always has been. Mike, also my best friend, is a doodle head; he keeps trying to fight me even when it is obvious I will win.” Taylor laughed.

  “What else?” He thought for a little while. “Oh yeah. Dad, I finally cracked the coded message you gave me when I was five. Took me thirteen years, but I finally did it. Only took me that long because you used three different ciphers.” He chuckled. “I guess that is all. I am obviously not going to bother you with details on my girl troubles.”

  Taylor stood and gathered the things he brought. “I love you both and miss you a lot. I promise to try to be here again sometime. Bye.”

  He smiled and walked back down to the gate of the cemetery where he waited for a while. He was not one for sentiments and he knew if he stayed longer, he would not want to leave. He waved down the first taxi he saw, got in and gave the driver the directions to his place. He took his phone out of his pocket and dialled Malia’s number.

  “Hello Cuddles.”

  “Hello Fish.” Taylor’s voice cracked.

  “How did it go?”

  “I am happy now.” Taylor smiled. “I saw your flowers.”

  “What makes you think they were from me?”

  “Hibiscus. They are your favourite specie of flowers.”

  Malia chuckled. “Oh well, I am glad I went. It was refreshing to be honest.”

  Taylor’s eyes watered. “Yes. I think I will be visiting them more often.”

  “We should go together sometime.”

  “Sure thing.”

  “I love you, cuddles.”

  “I love you too, Fish.”

  “Bye. I have to get my things ready for school. Try to stay out of more trouble this week, alright?”

  “I will try.” Taylor made a kissing sound. “Bye.”

  Malia ended the call and Taylor put his headphones on and started playing music. And to think I dreaded the thought of today. He let his head fall back and closed his eyes. Tomorrow was the start of a crazy week and he needed all the rest he could get. After a long drive, the taxi pulled up in his driveway and he paid the driver before getting out. He went into the house and headed straight to his room.

  “Thank you Lord.” Taylor yawned, got in bed and closed his eyes. He slept off immediately.

  ELEVEN

  It was Monday morning and once again, lecture theatre 404 was crowded. The case everyone wanted to see had been postponed, but nobody wanted to miss this one either. It was Emily going up against Mike and there was no doubt that everyone saw Emily as the underdog in this match up.

  Emily was seated in front, waiting for Mike and Professor Wishbourne to arrive so the trial could begin. Professor Wishbourne had a thing against late comers when he was the one being made to wait, but he sure knew how to keep people waiting. Taylor was not there yet and it was not surprising because he never came to school early on Mondays since he would go home for the weekend, but Emily hoped he would be around by the time Professor Wishbourne decided to show up.

  She stifled a yawn and sighed. She had stayed up till 3:00 a.m. going through the contents of the brown envelope and would have kept going if she did not have to be in school today. There were things in there that she would not have normally believed but with the evidence she had seen, she was convinced.

  “Good morning, Emily.”

  Emily looked up to find May standing in front of her. She managed a smile. “Good Morning. How was your weekend?”

  “Splendid.” May grabbed a chair and sat beside her.

  “Who won the birthday gifts challenge?”

  “I finally did.” May grinned. “Although Taylor technically won because of sentiments. He gave her a custom made Spanish edition of her favourite book, “To Kill A Mockingbird”, but he said he wasn’t competing this year, so I won.”

  Emily smiled. “That’s good. Told you your time would come.”

  “Yeah.” May looked at where Mike was supposed to be seated. “Are you ready?”

  “I am. Now go before he sees you here.” Emily shooed her away.

  Mike walked in as soon as May got a seat. He waved at her and walked over to where Emily was seating.

  “Good luck.”

  “Good luck to you too.” Emily shook his hand and he walked over to his seat. Where the fuck are you Taylor? She was starting to get nervous and it only got worse when she heard Maris shout “All rise!!!”

  Professor Wishbourne sat at his table and motioned for everyone to sit. Emily and Mike remained standing and Professor Wishbourne looked around the room, obviously searching for Taylor. “Miss. Reese, where is your client?”

  “He is running a little late, your honour, but he should be here anytime soon.” Emily forced a smile.

  “What is with him and late coming?” Professor Wishbourne took off his glasses and set it on the table.

  You’re one to complain, Emily thought to herself.

  Taylor ran into the room and headed straight to his seat beside Emily. He kissed her on the forehead and winked. “Sorry I am late, Love.”

  Emily rolled her eyes and just looked ahead. She hated how he could always look so effortlessly handsome. His hair was not properly combed, his necktie was not properly worn and his shirt was not tucked in which meant he was truly hurrying to get to the trial and yet, he still looked good.

  Taylor quickly fixed himself up and put on his blazer.

  “Mr. Rhodes. How nice of you to join us. We were wondering where you were.” Professor Wishbourne said with all the sarcasm he could muster.

  “I am sorry, your honour. I was stuck in traffic.” Taylor smiled.

  “Whatever. Three of you can have your seats.” Professor Wishbourne put his glasses back on and picked up the file that Maris had placed on his table. “I believe it is alright if we skip the opening statements and just head to the heart of this trial.”

  “Yes your honour.” Emily and Mike said.

  “Alright then. Miss. Reese, please call your first witness.”

  “You have got this.” Taylor whispered.

  Emily smiled and stood. She was going to get at this now and try to score a knockout with the first witness. There was only one person she knew would be able to testify and get her the win.

  “I’ll like to call Bob Maker to the stand.”

  Bob walked down to the stand and took the oath to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. Emily walked over to the witness stand.

  “Mr. Maker, where were you on Friday morning?”

  “I was out on the corridor with Taylor.”

  “And when was this?”

  “Around 9:30 a.m. Right after the first court session which Taylor bossed by the way.”

  Taylor smiled when the people in the courtroom started clapping. He glanced at Mike and saw him shaking his head.

  “Order!” Professor Wishbourne hit his gavel on the table and the room went silent.

  Emily proceeded. “Mr. Maker, please tell the courtroom what happened when Mr. Marlon arrived at the scene.”

  “Objection your honour. La
cks foundation.” Mike said as he twirled a pen in his hand.

  “Sustained.” Professor Wishbourne smiled. “There was no mention of Mr. Marlon ever being there.”

  “I’m sorry, your honour.” Emily cleared her throat. “Mr Maker, what were you doing with Mr. Rhodes at the time?”

  “I was congratulating him on getting the first case thrown out.” Bob said.

  “And then what happened?”

  “Mike walked up to us and started hitting Taylor.”

  “Would you describe Mr. Marlon’s state of mind as bitter?”

  “Yes I would.”

  “Objection your honour. Calls for speculation.” Mike slammed the pen on the table and stood.

  “Sustained. He could not have possibly known his state of mind, and Mr. Marlon, please next time, object before the witness answers.”

  “Ok, your honour. I also move to strike the witness’s response to the last question.” Mike sat back down.

  “Granted.” Professor Wishbourne looked at Emily. “Miss. Reese, I hope you know what you’re doing because I don’t have time to waste.”

  “It’s ok your honour. I’ll rephrase my question.” Emily smiled and turned her attention back to Bob. “Now, Mr. Maker, can you tell us Mr. Marlon’s facial expression as at the time he approached you?”

  “He looked really angry.”

  “Did Mr. Rhodes do anything to start a fight?”

  “No. He saw Mike coming and went to talk to him but before he could do or say anything, Mike punched him square on the jaw.”

  “So my client didn’t do anything to anger Mr. Marlon?”

  “Objection. Asked and answered.” Mike sighed.

  “Sustained. Miss. Reese, you’re getting on my nerves.” Professor Wishbourne said.

  “Sorry your honour.” Emily chuckled nervously. “One last question Mr. Maker. Did my client fight back?”

  “No, he didn’t.”

  “That’s all your honour.” Emily smiled and went back to her seat.

  “No questions for this witness, your honour.” Mike said and relaxed into his chair.

  Emily and Taylor were talking to themselves in hushed tones and they looked really happy.

  I’ve lost this one. Damn! Mike thought. He knew there was no way he could turn this around in his favour.

  “Please call your witness to the stand, Mr. Marlon.” Professor Wishbourne said.

  “I’d like to ask for a twenty minute recess so I can ensure my witness is ready.” Mike hoped this strategy would buy him more time.

  “Alright. The court will go on a twenty minute recess.” Professor Wishbourne sounded his gavel and walked out of the class.

  Mike sighed, quickly gathered his things and left the room. Taylor looked at him and knew something was wrong.

  “E, we need to talk about this case.” Taylor smiled at the others as they left the room. “Let’s go to the library.”

  “Sure.” Emily picked her things and they left the lecture theatre.

  ***

  “You must be out of your mind thinking I’ll let Mike loose on this one.” Emily said.

  Taylor looked at her as she paced around the room. He smiled and just kept staring at her.

  “Why are you smiling?”

  “I do not know.” Taylor shrugged. “You just look so cute when you pace around.”

  “You’re sweet, but flattery isn’t going to help you.”

  “Sit down. Please.” Taylor pointed at the chair opposite him and Emily sat down. “Thank you.”

  “It’s going to take a whole lot to convince me to drop the suit because I already have Mike scared shitless and I really want to rub my victory in his face.” Emily crossed her arms.

  Taylor chuckled. “I know.”

  “Well, I’d get to talking if I were you. We have less than fifteen minutes till the recess is over.”

  “Alright.” Taylor rubbed the back of his neck. “Did I ever tell you the story of how Mike and I met?”

  Emily shrugged. “No. How’s that important to this discussion?”

  Taylor sighed. “There is a part to Mike nobody in school knows and that is a very important part. Remember the story of the accident I told you?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Well, instead of getting a call from my sister, a cop who was on patrol that night drove up to the scene of the accident and took me home after calling all the necessary people and getting everything settled. His name was Officer Marlon and he had a twelve year old kid named Mike.

  “Mike became my best friend in the one week I stayed with them and we bonded over the fact that our mums, who we loved the most, were no longer with us. His mum had left him and his dad three years before then without saying a word and that made him build up walls around himself with the promise not to trust anyone ever again. Somehow, I broke through that wall and I knew what he was going through so I swore to always take care of him.” Taylor relaxed into the chair. “I saw the look on his face when he asked for the recess. He knows he has lost and it would break him if he formally loses to you.”

  Emily shook her head. “That’s why you have been putting up with his shit. That’s why you didn’t fight back when he attacked you. That’s why…” She sighed. “I hate the fact that you are so nice to everyone; you try to take care of everyone but you, and sometimes, it is just really annoying.”

  “That is just who I am.”

  “I know.”

  “So what do you say?” Taylor held her hand. “Will you do this for me?”

  Emily rolled her eyes. He always knew how to get her to agree to do what he wanted and it was starting to annoy her. “Alright Taylor. What do I have to do?”

  “Absolutely nothing. I want you to go out there and just proceed with the trial. I will step in when the time is right.”

  “Ok then.” Emily said. “But you owe me one.”

  “Of course I do.” Taylor chuckled. “Thanks E.”

  “Anytime. Now let’s get back to the courtroom before Professor Wishbourne blows a fuse.”

  They laughed and hurried out of the study lounge.

  ***

  Back in lecture theatre 404, Mike was saddened. He had called his first witness who did nothing to help his case. Emily had gotten him this time and all the preparation in the world could not help him against one fact, he attacked Taylor for no reason at all. Now, he was about to lose to someone who did not even know a thing about Law.

  “I’ll like to call Mr. Rhodes to the stand.” Emily said.

  Taylor stood. “Objection.”

  Professor Wishbourne looked confused. “You can’t object to being called to the stand, Mr. Rhodes.”

  “Well I just did.”

  “What are you doing, Taylor?” Emily looked at Taylor angrily.

  “Yeah. What on earth are you doing?” Mike asked.

  “Shut the fuck up, Mike.” Taylor pointed at Mike and looked back at Emily. “I am sorry, Love, but I cannot let this continue.”

  “Mr. Rhodes, I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but I don’t appreciate my courtroom being turned into something else. What is the meani…”

  Taylor cut him off. “I am sorry your honour but it is what it is.” He turned to face the people in the lecture theatre. “I want you all to listen to me. I hear all the nasty things you say about Mike and I have had enough.

  “I know Mike can be a dickhead most of the time, no offence Mike, but a lot of you talk shit about him for no good reason. He does not even talk to most of you, but surprisingly, everyone has something to say. Look, I do not care if Mike has hurt your friend or a friend of your friend or whatever, but as long as he did not do anything to you personally, stop talking bad about him.

  “I am the only one here at the moment allowed to talk smack about Mike and the next person I hear saying rubbish about him without any good reason will get a beating and this is not a threat, it is a promise. Is that understood?” Taylor looked round the room and there was no response. “Go
od. Class dismissed.” He walked back to his seat and sat.

  “Well, I guess that settles this case. See you all on Wednesday morning.” Professor Wishbourne hit the gavel on the table.

  “All rise!!!” Maris called as Professor Wishbourne left the room.

  The class emptied as people were discussing the shock ending the case had gotten. No one was expecting Taylor to stand up for Mike in that way, not even Mike himself.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you?” Mike asked Taylor as soon as they were the only ones left in the room.

  “I just saved your ass is what the fuck is wrong with me.” Taylor snapped. “Are you going to stand there and pretend like you were going to win the case?”

  “I knew I wasn’t going to win, but I didn’t need you to defend me.” Mike snapped back.

  “Well I did and I definitely would not mind if you said thank you.”

  “You want me to say thank you?” Mike scoffed. “You see, that’s the thing with you. You’re always trying to be the saviour. Always wanting everyone to thank you for swooping in and saving the day.”

  “And that is the thing with you. You always try to act like you are above being helped. I know you Mike. You were scared of losing to Emily and if Wishbourne had ruled in her favour, it would have broken you, so do not stand there and act like I did not do you a huge favour.”

  “Well fuck your favour, fuck your feelings, fuck you and fuck Emily for allowing you to go through with this.”

  “You did not have to bring Emily into this.”

  “But I just did. What are you going to do about it?”

  “Nothing for now.” Taylor smiled. “To be honest, I actually only saved your ass here so I could personally kick it in court. See you on Wednesday.”

  Taylor walked out of the lecture theatre and Mike kicked one of the tables. Deep down, he was glad Taylor had stepped in. He makes it so god darn hard to hate him, Mike smiled. There were no classes for the rest of the day, so Mike packed his things and left for his dorm room. He had to start getting ready for the next case because nobody was going to save him if he ended up shitting the bed.

  TWELVE

  The bell signifying the end of lunch rang and everyone hurried out of the cafeteria to meet up with their next class. Taylor was already done with lunch and he was standing on the corridor of the fourth floor, watching the commotion as people tried to squeeze through the narrow door of the cafeteria. He was not really paying attention to what was going on down there, but he felt he could think better when he looked at crowded places. He knew it was a stupid theory, but he did not stop testing it and so far, he had not gotten any favourable results.