On the Bench [Sequel to On the Couch]

Chapter Twelve

Quick Note: Welcome to chapter twelve. Photo on the right is of this new threesome, Sonja, Evan and Hollister. Thought you all might like a photo since I haven't put one up in a while on this book hehe. The smirk fits my ideal of Hollister hehe, sigh, love it. Yes, wow I am updating after only 3 days instead of two weeks. Its coming back to me and my little writer's block has gone away. Yay. Alright enjoy the chapter lovies. =D P.S. If you can't see the photo and you are on a phone I am sorry I don't know the app very well and how it works to explain how to see it.

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A Month Later

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I never used to be an impatient person, but all this waiting was – unsettling. Unlike how you see court processed on the TV shows, this was much quieter and private. I wondered how much of that Hollister’s influence was.

To keep myself busy, I had already been sitting for an hour, I scanned the room. My eyes landed on the jury first. There was a mix of men and women of various ages and styles of dress. I wondered why each one was picked. Were they unbiased about the information of the case they were given. Had they been briefed on the case? Had they already made conclusions and opinions about what they knew?

I sat near the back in the ‘observers’ section of the court room. The room was all light oak tables and chairs and with that ugly green and blue itchy cushioning. Even the walls looked like old wood paneling that was very well taken care of. The prosecution and defendant desks were just beyond where I was seated and the high rise judge’s bench was the focal point of the room with the American and California state flag on either side. The witness stand was to my left and the court reported was off center of the judge’s bench. The general atmosphere felt stiff and formal.

One of the women in the jury caught my eye and I tried to smile pleasantly but it probably showed my nervousness and insecurity than anything else. She didn’t smile back, but turned to another juror and started talking. After a few words the second juror looked at me and spoke back to the woman I smiled at.

I never thought of myself as paranoid, but I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. There must be something in the case about me. I felt I would be scrutinized to. Why was Evan insisting on me not testifying, it seemed almost stupid. The court would want to hear my side of the story especially since it’s my ex he is accused of killing.

I closed my eyes and attempted to do some calm breathing exercises. It was hard to believe that it was the prosecutor’s job to prove Evan was a murderer, not Evan’s lawyer. It felt like the other way around.

Without opening my eyes, I paid attention to the sounds of the courtroom. The murmurs of chatter, the soft thump of footsteps on the carpet as people moved around, the heavy oak doors that led out of the room opening and closing – heavily.

A light tap on my shoulder made me jump and my eyes flew open. I was not pleased with who greeted me.

“May I?” Hollister asked indicating the empty seat next to me. How could I say no?

“If you must,” I said in a low tone, but it was obvious I didn’t want him here. I swore I heard a small chuckle from him, but I couldn’t be sure with all the low commotion going on around us.

Hollister smoothly passed me and I got a heavy whiff of his scent and his hand brushed against my shoulder as he passed making me shiver. The combination wasn’t all that unpleasant. I scowled at myself for finding a moment’s peace in that because of the event currently taking place. Once Hollister settled in the seat he leaned over.

“They will be starting soon. Evan and his lawyer are coming.”

I stared at him. “How do you know that?” I snapped viciously.