Page 85 of All Yours

People buzz in and out of the courtroom around me. The one thing tv and movies don’t show is the revolving door of a courtroom. It’s far busier than I would have guessed, and far less eventful. There’s a lot of yawning and no one looks thrilled. Not that I blame them. I’m sitting alone on a bench in the spectator seating, taking in the state seal behind the judge for the millionth time, trying to keep my shit together. I’ve identified all the wood used in the room- benches, tables, lectern, and paneling behind the judge as mahogany wood. Or a quality veneer at least. Some people are playing games on their phone, but I can’t settle myself enough to even try. I only have one or two games on my phone at the most. I should have downloaded more. Something to keep me sane until Sloane’s arraignment.

“Did we miss it?” Lauren whispered, sliding onto the bench beside me. She’s followed by Camden and Adrian.

“Yes, she’s been in, arraigned, and left,” I snap.

Lauren reaches over and lays a gentle palm on my bouncing knee. “It’ll be okay.”

“How do you know that?” I whisper in a huff. Yes, my nerves have gotten the best of me. The love of my life is finally in love with me too, and whatever this bullshit is with Eden may throw a monkey wrench into our lives. I’ll stand by Sloane no matter what, but I’m still the odd man out in our group over my distrust of Eden.

“I have faith that it will be okay,” Lauren replied. “Eden will do the right thing.”

“I will not give her a standing ovation for doing the right fucking thing,” I hiss. “She can do that, and Sloane is still facing up to a year in jail.”

“Sloane’s never done anything…” Lauren began.

I level a stare that stops her.

“Well, okay. There’sthat. But her wrath was on a car, not a person. That doesn’t count. Those are extenuating circumstances.”

That was how Eden became part of her friend circle so easily. Lauren’s determination to focus on the best in everyone. Even after all she’d been through with that ex-husband of hers. I had to hold the asshole down after he set her bakery on fire and tried to kill her, and yet here she is, positive as ever.

The courtroom door opened, and Sloane and Jeremy walked in. Sloane didn’t look around or make eye contact with me. She wore a black pantsuit with a white button-down shirt. Which was far and away more professional than any other defendant in the courtroom. Jeremy motioned for her to sit at the end of the aisle, and she did without hesitation. Another man in a suit called his name, and they stepped to side and whispered between them.

“The state versus Sloane Thompkins,” the clerk called out.

Sloane stood and she, Jeremy, and the other man walked to the table.

“You’re charged with Class A, misdemeanor, simple assault,” the judge said without looking up.

“Your Honor,” the other man in the suit said, standing. “The State moves to dismiss all charges against Ms. Thompkins.”

Dismiss? Wait, that’s a good thing. I perked up, as did Lauren.

The judge looked up. “Counselors approach the bench.”

Jeremy and the other attorney walked to the judge and left Sloane standing at the table.

“What’s going on?” Lauren whispered.

I shrugged. What was going on?

The judge and the two lawyers whispered amongst themselves. I couldn’t tell what they said.

My heart sat in my throat. I willed my stomach to keep its contents in place.

I stared at the back of Sloane’s head wishing she’d turn around, but she stood perfectly still, and didn’t glance around.

“This is driving me crazy,” Lauren whispered.

“You and me both,” I replied.

Both lawyers turned and walked back to their respective tables. Jeremy didn’t look our way.

“Mr. Collins will this case be dismissed with or without prejudice?” the judge asked, disinterested.

“With prejudice, Your Honor.”

What did that mean? Sloane was staring at Jeremy. She had no idea what was going on, either.

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