Page 52 of Buddy System

But the absolute best part of the defense testimony comes from Skyler’s physical therapist. He testifies that even now, over a year since his injury happened in Afghanistan, Skyler cannot make a firm enough fist to do the kind of damage that Marjorie Henshaw received to her body. Skyler’s shoulder was smashed, and he therefore doesn’t have the strength to wield such a blow either. He says Skyler does daily exercises to get his strength and flexibility back, but the damage to his shoulder and arm were so extensive, it’s going to take a long time for him to fully recover—if he ever actually does.

Throughout this testimony, we’re treated to X-rays and photographs of Skyler’s horrible injuries. The PT guy explains each one in detail. He says the only way Skyler could have bruised Mrs. Henshaw as badly as she claimed would have been by using a weapon like a bat.

Mrs. Henshaw had testified that Skyler had grabbed her and used his fist to hit her. There was never any mention of a weapon.

At this point, the judge says we’re going to take a lunch recess. Schroeder looks miffed, but Hamilton looks pleased. I notice that Mrs. Henshaw sneers at Skyler, and he ignores her.

Levi, Skyler, and I head out to find some lunch. Levi and I are expecting to give our sworn testimonies as to what happened on the day when Skyler fired Mrs. Henshaw, so no one has much of an appetite. We end up in Juni’s bakery for a bagel and coffee.

The sight of Juni cheers us up. She knows what we’re going through and tries to distract us with enthusiastic stories about what it’s like building and moving into their dream house.

As soon as we return to our seats in the courtroom, the judge reenters and we all rise. I wonder idly if it makes judges feel all-powerful when people have to stand up for their arrival. He has a disgruntled look on his face when he addresses Skyler’s lawyer. “Please call your next witness, Mr. Hamilton.”

At this point, I’m asked to give my account of what happened the day Mrs. Henshaw came to the house. I corroborate what Skyler said earlier, and the judge looks as bored as can be with me. Schroeder tries to get me to say that Skyler threatened Mrs. Henshaw, but I tell him Skyler did nothing to threaten her physically, and he was feeling so sick that he wasn’t much of a threat to anyone at the time. But the big jerk tells me to stop making assumptions about Skyler’s health. I try to add that he took medication for a migraine in front of me, but he shuts me down there too.

The worst part comes later when Levi is called to the stand, even though Mr. Hamilton does his best to characterize Levi as a brave soldier who served his country with the best of intentions. Levi tells Mr. Hamilton he was with Skyler the night of Mrs. Henshaw’s alleged attack. He swears that Skyler was home when he left to go to The Hive, and home when he got back.

Sadly, Schroeder looks at Levi like he’s a tasty snack when he asks, “So you were gone to abarthat serves alcoholic beveragesfor a fewhours, leaving Mr. Colfax plenty of time to leave and attack Mrs. Henshaw before you returned to his house. Is that correct?”

Hamilton objects, and his objection is sustained, but we know this is possibly damning for Skyler, no matter what. It sounds bad all the way around. Levi tries to interject that he was there on music business and not for drinks, but he doesn’t get the chance to explain.

“How would you characterize Mr. Colfax’s well-being the next day?” Schroeder asks.

“He was in good spirits but tired,” Levi answers. “His arm and hand were really sore from paint?—”

Schroeder interrupts Levi loudly and asks, “Could he have been tired because he’d beaten up an innocent woman the night before, and that was why his arm and hand were sore?”

Hamilton jumps to his feet and hollers, “Objection!” at that question. Again, his objection is sustained.

Schroeder thanks Levi and says, “No further questions.”

After that little fiasco, the judge tells us all we’re done for the day, but he looks sternly at the members of the jury and admonishes them, “Ladies and gentlemen, you’ve heard this before, but I caution you all again—do not discuss this case with anyone while the trial remains active. Thank you. Now everyone please go get some rest.”

We do our best to keep Skyler’s spirits up that night, but the stress has us all down. The whole mess is such a colossal waste of time, money, and effort, and it’s agonizing for Skyler to have his good name dragged through the mud by that horrible woman and her creepy lawyer.

Chapter

Thirty-Eight

Levi

The next morning,we all get up and dress in near silence. I have no idea what to say. After coffee and some of Juni’s muffins, we head downtown to the courthouse.

Mr. Hamilton presents a few witnesses who speak about Skyler’s character. He has some great supporters in this town, and it has to make him feel better to hear they declare with confidence what a good guy he is, but the judge maintains his stoic face through each of the testimonies. I try to look at the jury now and then, but most of them are also pretty blank expression-wise. I don’t know what to think.

Schroeder doesn’t have any questions for these folks, and the judge finally asks Hamilton if this parade of fans is necessary. I can’t help but think that’s pretty rude of him.

“Your honor, I’m just establishing that Mr. Colfax has people who trust him and know he’s an honest man. But I only have one last witness.”

The next witness is a nervous woman in her fifties or sixties. She apparently hired Mrs. Henshaw when she was recovering from surgery and could barely get out of bed for a week.

“How did you happen to hire her?” he asks.

“I’m a widow, and my children are grown and have moved out of state, so Mrs. Henshaw was recommended by a neighbor before I went in for surgery.”

“And how did you feel about the work she did for you?”

“She seemed to be doing alright. She showed up on time. I wasn’t very interested in eating at first, so I didn’t pay much attention to the food she offered me, but after I started to feel a bit better, I was miserable with the diet she tried to feed me. She refused to pay attention to my needs, so I didn’t eat much. But it wasn’t until after she was gone that I discovered certain items were missing from the house.”

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