Page 56 of Raymond's Forever

“You’re not going to hear me out?”

“Fine, let’s hear what you have.”

“We’ll settle for ten thousand dollars.”

“And?”

“And that’s it.”

Raymond started to chuckle, then it turned into a full belly laugh, and he hung up on the man. He was still laughing when he shook his head and looked at Amelia. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be, I think I’m too shocked to be offended by that offer.”

“Yeah, no matter what they offer, I’m not taking a deal from them. I’ll take my chances with the jury.”

“Yeah, I agree,” Jason said as he picked up a piece of pizza and bit into it. “Yeah, this pizza was a good idea.” They all laughed as they ate their own pizza, and relaxed as they ate, drank water or soda, and talked about life. No one said a word about the trial, or the upcoming closing arguments.

When Amelia crawled into bed that night, she snuggled up with Raymond, and fell asleep with his arms wrapped around her and slept soundly for the first time since the trial had begun.

The next morning, she invited herself into the shower with Raymond, and after rubbing the soap over his back, they made love beneath the streaming water. It was the first time they’d made love after the trial started. They slept together every night, but hadn’t made love until just now. As they finished making love, and the shower, they got out to dry off and had small smiles on their faces. They dressed and made small caresses as they got ready for court. Raymond went over to knock on the connecting door, allowing Jason and Ilsa their own privacy, and turned to look at her with a smirk.

“Hands to yourself at the table.”

“Yes, Sir,” she said with a laugh, and gave him a salute. That was how Jason found them. He took one look at them, shook his head, and said his own stern warning.

“No touching.”

“I know.” But she stood on tiptoe and kissed Raymond one last time, then held up her hands as she walked away. She went into the room registered to Ilsa, and closed the connecting door behind her. After grabbing her purse, she and Ilsa walked out of the room, went to the elevator, and took it down to the lobby. They were waiting at the hostess station when the men joined them, just like every other morning. They took advantage of the free breakfast the hotel offered, taking their time, talking strategy, and when it was time to leave for the courthouse, Amelia felt relaxed and in control for the first time since she had overheard the conversation in the hall at the clinic all those weeks ago.

“Are you okay?” Ilsa asked quietly as they finished their meal.

“Yeah, there’s something about today that feels freeing. I don’t know what you’re going to say, or opposing counsel, but I feel good about the outcome.”

“Good, but don’t wear that grin in the courtroom,” Raymond cautioned. “Keep your face neutral, just like you have for the entire trial. The last thing we need is for the jury to think that you’re gloating, or think that you think it’s a done deal.”

“God, no, I would never think that. I’ll shut up.”

“No, you don’t have to, just keep up like you have been and everything should be fine.”

“I’m not worried, but how long do you think today will take. If it’s closing arguments, then we won’t be there until five, right?”

“Right. Opposing counsel will go first. I’m assuming they will posture, and go on and on, luckily, this judge only allows forty-five minutes per argument.”

“Someone can talk for that long?”

“Yes, I’ll take fifteen minutes, twenty, tops. I’ll state the evidence, the results of their actions, and my statement will be backed up by the evidence I presented.”

“Will the jury be allowed to view the evidence when they make their decision?”

“Yes. They can’t make an informed decision without it. Before you ask, if they have any questions or need clarification on anything that either side presents, then they will write it all down, give it to the bailiff, and he will bring it to the judge. The judge then makes the decision to come to us, or answer it himself.”

“Just you three, or their side also?”

“Depends on what the question is,” Ilsa said gently. “All you have to do is sit there and listen. I know that sounded harsh, but there’s nothing more for you to do.”

“Okay.” Amelia sighed heavily, finished her coffee, and excused herself from the table. After using the facilities, the four of them walked the block and a half to the courthouse.

Shortly after nine that morning, the judge called for closing arguments from the other side, and for the next forty-seven minutes, Amelia listened to the lawyer rip her to shreds, she didn’t know she had tears streaming down her cheeks, listening to all the lies being said about her until both Raymond and Jason pressed a handkerchief in each of her hands. As much as she wanted to jump up and scream at them, she knew she couldn’t do anything. It barely registered with her that Raymond had risen to speak, or what the judge said to the jury. She only became aware of her surroundings when people started leaving.