Page 17 of Trial Run

“I can buy my own ice cream.”

“I have no doubt you can, but I’d like to do this for you. Consider it a peace offering.”

She should say no and insist on paying. She wasn’t so destitute she couldn’t afford to buy ice cream for her son. But Reggie was trying to be nice, and after their disagreement earlier, accepting her gesture of goodwill was an easy thing to do. “Fine, but next time the ice cream’s on me.”

“Fair enough.” Reggie took the bag from the cashier and handed it to her. “I’m going to take off since I still have a lot of studying to do. See you tomorrow. Have a good night.”

Brooke stood in the middle of Braum’s and watched her go. She’d been certain she wanted to be alone with her thoughts, but after spending a short time with Reggie, she wasn’t sure being alone was the answer for any of her problems. She desperately wanted to tell someone about her situation, but as long as Ben was in danger, she couldn’t, but if she could tell someone Reggie would be the one. Too trusting? Perhaps, but it wasn’t like she was going to act on the instinct. If she could only get through this trial, then maybe there’d be room in life for friendships with people like Reggie. Or even something more.

Chapter Seven

“Mom, are you still in bed?”

Brooke’s eyes shot open and she scrambled to sit up. The sheets were twisted, her pillow was on the floor, and the textbook for her marketing class was lying open on the comforter, pages crinkled around the edges. Yes. Yes, she was still in bed and apparently, she’d fallen asleep while studying for her next exam. She flipped her phone over and stared at the time. Eight a.m.

Shit. Shit. Shit. Ben was late, she was late, and she was totally screwed. “I’m up. I’m up. Be right out! Meet you in the kitchen.”

She knew that he knew she was lying, but she didn’t have time to worry about it. If things were normal, she’d stick him in the back of an Uber so at least he’d be on time, but recent stranger danger kept her from taking that route.

She jumped in the shower, rinsed off, and stood in front of the mirror, glad she had long hair since it gave her options. She tossed in a messy up-do, threw on some powder and blush, and shimmied into pants and a sweater, hoping they matched. She slipped on loafers, grabbed her purse, and dashed into the kitchen, but Ben wasn’t there. After calling out his name several times, she searched the apartment, but he was nowhere in sight.

Her phone pinged to signal a text.Got a ride with Mia from Calc. See you later.

Mia from Calc? She racked her brain for a memory of him mentioning any girl, let alone one named Mia, before, but couldn’t come up with an instance. His calculus class was at the local high school which meant Mia was at least two years older, maybe more. She clicked on his number and waited impatiently through the rings.

“Hi, Mom. It’s all good. I’m with Mia.”

She was certain she heard an echo on the line. “Am I on speaker, Ben?”

The echo instantly disappeared. “Not anymore.”

“Who’s Mia?”

“She’s a sophomore in my Calc class. Very smart. She’s in mathletes.”

“And she just happened to be around to take you to school today?” Brooke knew she probably sounded ridiculous, but she pushed on. “I told you I’d take you.”

“You have to get to the courthouse. I get it. Mia and I were texting about the assignment anyway and she offered.”

“Where are you?”

“We’re pulling up to the school right now.”

“Text me Mia’s last name and number so I have it in my phone. And tell her I said thanks. Text me when you get inside. Love you.”

“Love you too, Mom,” he said with only a hint of a sigh.

She waited for his text, saved Mia’s number in her phone, and headed to her car. Ben was fine. A fifteen-year-old sophomore wasn’t going to corrupt her kid, and she was thankful he’d been resourceful enough to have a backup plan since she’d failed miserably at being a good mom this morning. The best thing she could do today was show up at the courthouse, do what she was told, and put this entire episode of her life behind her so she could focus on graduating from school, getting a good job with regular hours and benefits, and spending more quality time with Ben.

When she pushed through the door to the jury room, Leroy gave her serious side eye, but she knew for a fact she was exactly on time. She spotted Reggie standing on the other side of the room and started to walk toward her when she remembered her instructions. Don’t mingle with the other jurors. She’d already blown that, but if she could get through the rest of this trial without breaking the rules, then she’d be free to talk to Reggie all she wanted. And she wanted to a lot.

“Let’s go, everyone,” Leroy said. “Judge Hunt wants to pack as much into today as possible, so everyone needs to keep a close eye on the time during breaks and lunch.”

Brooke nearly rolled her eyes at the remark which was clearly directed at her, but she dutifully fell in line with the rest of the jurors. Reggie managed to line up right behind her and whispered in her ear.

“Don’t mind him. He’s all bluster. Besides, it’s not like he’s going to toss you off the jury for being a few minutes late.”

“Like that would be a bad thing.” Brooke wanted to bite back the words the minute she said them in case there was anyone in the room spying on behalf of mystery man. “Just kidding. I’m happy to serve.”

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