Philosophy of the Dark
Chapter 34 continued
-Growing up
The jury walked away, they were going to make their decision. All day had
been about closing statements and final evidence. The court was allowed
recess for an hour as the jury made their choice.
“Don’t worry Jamie.” Tammy put a consoling hand on Jamie’s
shoulder, “You’ll be fine.”
“But what if they decide guilty?” Jamie asked, “What would happen to me
then?”
“The worst would be a year in a juvenile detention facility with probation.”
Tammy answered. Jamie shuddered.
“Look, Jaim,” Amber said, “You’ll be fine. There’s no way Ortega could win.”
“I wish that were true.”
“Come on,” Tammy said, beginning to walk to her car, “let’s go.”
“Where to?” Amber asked, raising one eyebrow.
“You’ll see when we get there.”
The lake came into view, with it’s familiar brown sign and empty parking lot.
It was always empty now. Despite the fact that it was summer, the clouds
refused to give the sun it’s time.
“Why are we here?” Jamie asked as she stepped out of the car.
“Because, things always happen when I come here. It only seems fitting
that the biggest event in your life should be decided while you’re here as
well.”
Amber peeled off her brown sweater and dropped it on the leather seat of
Tammy’s car. They all walked to the edge of the water, Amber let her feet
trail in the outline of it. Jamie hung back, refusing the pull of the dock.
“Jamie, come here!” Amber called out, she was becoming smaller as she
walked around the lake.
“You go ahead,” Jamie called back, “I’ll meet up with you later.”
Amber ran off down the shore, leaving Jamie with Tammy.
“I don’t know what to think,” Jamie said, breaking the silence.
“Whatever happens, happens. Just remember that.”
Jamie looked up and met Tammy’s eyes, “I don’t really have a choice do
I?”
“No,” Tammy bent down and picked a flat rock off the ground and
inspected it with her thumb, “The time for choices is long past.”
She tossed the rock sideways to the flat lake water. It landed with a dull
thud.
“Damn.” Tammy said. She watched as the water rippled away from the
disturbance, slowly fading until the water was completely flat again. “I never
was very good at that.”
Jamie smiled, “I can see that.”
“That’s not a very nice thing to say,” Tammy said, mostly joking.
“You said it first.”
Tammy looked at her watch, then back at the car and at Amber almost to
the other side of the lake.
“Does she know?” Tammy asked, nodding her head in the direction of
Amber.
Jamie nodded, “Yeah. But she still doesn’t understand.”
“She still has a lot of growing up to do.”
“You know what, Tammy,” Jamie said. She was watching Amber skip
alongside the water in a careless fashion. “I think we all do.”
Tammy looked into Jamie’s eyes. They held the stare for a moment before
Tammy called Amber back to the car.
Time was up.
______________________________________
after this comes
THE VERDICT!!!!!!!!!!!
____________________
Coming soon:
well, see above.
and waiting for the verdict!!!!
