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“That’s because it’s a different mold that we have to create.”
“But I’m in love with someone else,” I said, as Jacob’s wonderful smile flashed across my mind.
“Dang, that stings,” Montie said with a frown. “I hope he knows how lucky he is.”
“Thank you, Montie. That means a lot to me." I leaned up and kissed his cheek. It was a farewell old lover kiss. “I’ll see you next Friday when you come get the kids.”
“I’m here for you any time you need me,” he said as he watched me to my car.
I felt a weight being lifted off of me. It wasn’t that I thought my relationship with Jacob was perfect. I just didn’t want to pull toward my past. Jacob was my future. Even when I considered leaving him, an overwhelming force brought us back together.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Jacob
Choosing Sides
The first person I noticed when I walked into the courthouse was my mother sitting beside Justine’s parents on the bench outside the courtroom. Mom was wearing a three-piece skirt suit with a beautiful set of pearl earrings and necklace. Her hair was pulled up into a tight bun on the back of her head. She sat with her shoulders squared and her back straight and firm. Her disposition was as rigid as her ideology. I walked over to greet her.
“Hi Son,” she said, standing to her feet and strutting over to me.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” I asked as I hugged her. She didn’t tell me that she was coming to court and I had a very small amount of faith that she had chosen Destiny’s side. “Is Dad here?” I added.
“Your father hasn’t left that office since we had to let Tom go, but I came to support Justine,” Mom said clinging to my arms.
I pulled my arm from hers and looked at her sideways. “That’s not a good idea and you very well know that it isn’t.”
“I know she’s made her fair share of mistakes, but there is no way such a smart young lady should be locked away in a cage like an animal,” Mom said just above a whisper. “She’s a good person who makes bad decisions. She just needs counseling.”
“You counsel people when they are having a hard time dealing with the stress of a new job, not when they hold someone at gunpoint and repeatedly beat them with a pistol! A cage for an animal sounds about right to me,” I said attempting to level with my mother. “I almost lost my position as president and the love of my life behind her mess.”
“The love of your life?” Mom laughed. “Son, Justine is truly torn to pieces about all that has transpired. Don’t you think she has suffered enough?”
“Destiny spent a week in the hospital and is still bruised up from Justine’s premeditated attack. Before you get too deep into how Justine has suffered, consider your future daughter-in-law.”
“Oh, her…” My mother waved her hand. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this new fiancée AKA the love of your life. I heard that she’s a black girl with an ex-husband and two kids. I know you don’t expect me to welcome someone with that much baggage into our family.”
I bit down on my bottom lip. I was not a man to disrespect his mother, but a fine line was about to be crossed. I could feel it. “Mom listen. I lo
ve you a lot. You are actually the first woman I ever loved,” I told her gently. “But I admonish you not to make this a you or Destiny situation. Trust and believe that you will not win.”
“Jacob Braxton Turner! Did you forget where you came from?” Mom asked standing toe to toe with me. Her head tilted to the side. Just as she was about to say something else, our attention was called to the announcer.
“Justine Parker versus The State of Georgia,” the bailiff announced.
“Think about what I said. You only have one son,” I told Mom as I walked away. I entered the courtroom and found a seat on the side of the prosecution.
Justine walked in looking like a regular ole nun that just stepped out of a monastery. She was wearing a blue dress and her hair was pulled to the back in a bun like my mother’s. She smiled sweetly as she took her seat in the defendant’s chair. I was pissed that her parents had posted her bond and she was freed the same week of the attack.
My mother and Justine’s parents looked in my direction when I took my seat behind Destiny and the prosecution. I was sure the trio had put a great sum of money into getting the best defense attorney they could find for Justine.
I winked at Destiny when she looked around and found me. Ms. Clara couldn’t come because she was watching the kids, and thankfully Montie was too pissed to show up.
“All rise. Judge Contessa Riley presiding,” the bailiff said, and the case began. After hearing the charges of aggravated assault with attempted murder, Justine’s attorney immediately entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
“Your Honor, my client has been suffering with an extreme case of depression and anxiety. I have evidence to present to the court from three different psychiatrists that will state my client is not mentally competent. I also have evidence that Justine Parker attempted to get help for her depression in the month leading up to the attack.” The lawyer handed the documents to the bailiff who gave them to Judge Riley. She took the documents and reviewed the information presented.
When given the floor, the state prosecutor, Mason Balou, stood up and explained, “Let’s just explore Justine Parkers quote-unquote insanity, if we may.”
