Because of His Love

Chapter 12: Allyson - Court

It's been a week since officers came and took Tyler. I told my parents that they needed to come get his stuff and find him somewhere else to live. They were not happy with me, but I didn't care. Still don't. They blame me for his arrest.

I've started healing completely and my cast comes off my arm in a week. It's a good thing it's still on today because we start preliminary hearings today for the abuse Tyler put me through. Michael's dad is a lawyer, but he isn't representing the case. Conflict of interest because I am his son's girlfriend. He did ask a colleague to represent my case. Said colleague told him he would do it as a favor to the family.

We're sitting in the court room waiting for the judge to come in. The bailiff signals his entrance with the call to all rise for the honorable judge. My parents keep looking at me to watch my behavior. I am seated between Michael and his mom. I can feel my parents looking at me every so often, but I don't look at them. I don't give them any acknowledgement.

They bring my brother in, his arms shackled to his waist and his feet chained together. He takes small steps. I can hear my mother say something to my father in a low voice. They're sitting close enough for me to hear them. I write down something and pass it to my lawyer. He nods. I know he's going to try to goad them into shouting in the court room so they will get removed.

He calls my brother first. He asks him outright how I got injured. My brother, of course, denies having any part in it. He's cross-examined by his defense attorney. The officers who arrested him are called next. They're questioned by prosecution and defense. Their answers make my brother look like a liar.

Michael is called next. He is shown a picture of my split lip and asked if he recognizes that picture. He tells the court it's from the night my brother got arrested. Then, my attorney asks a question that sinks my brother and gets the reaction he wanted from my parents. "Did you witness the abuse that night?"

"Yes, Allyson and I were playing cards when he came in and pulled her from the chair by her hair." This makes my mom stand up and call him a liar. She and my father are escorted from the room by the bailiff. My lawyer guides Michael through the rest of that evening's events with questions.

"In light of events that have taken place today in my court room," the judge begins, "Tyler Johnson, you are being charged with assault against your sister, Allyson Johnson, and perjury. You will remain in custody until your sentencing hearing in three months. After today, you and your parents are not to get with fifty feet of Allyson Johnson. Please send notice of this restraining order to the young woman's parents," he says this part to the court reporter. "Allyson, I suggest you change the locks to your apartment with your landlord's assistance. If any of them disobey my restraining order, call the officers immediately. Before you leave today, we will make sure you can contact these two fine officers personally. Court dismissed."

I am a little shocked that he is restraining my parents from seeing me as well, but they proved that I don't matter to them. We file into the hallway. I hug both of Michael's parents and tell them thank you. My lawyer comes out.

We go over the results of the day and he hands me three business cards. If I have any trouble reaching the officers, I am to call him before any other officer. I ask him why and he tells me that the two officers present know my case best and it would save me from having to explain too much to anyone else.

Mr. Kennedy claps him on the back and tells him he did very well. Rachel kisses him on the cheek and they retire to a bench to talk. Anyone can see they're close friends. Michael tells them we will be outside on the steps. He takes my hand and we go sit on the steps.

"I'm glad that they didn't have to call you on stand," Michael says, pulling me close to him. "That was weird."

"You made it look easy, babe."

"You're lucky you're cute or I would've let them call you."

"Thank you for that, I think."

He turns me in his arms so I face him. He just brushes my lips with his when his dad says, "Break it up, you two. How about some dinner to celebrate?"

"That sounds very nice, Mr. Kennedy." He rolls his eyes at me in a teasing manner. This makes everyone laugh.

"You can call me Travis, if you like. Or dad, since you and my son are really close." This makes me a little uncomfortable, but I smile and thank him anyways. Rachel bats him on the arm.

"Shush, honey. She doesn't know you that well, yet." We all laugh.

My lawyer's wife and children meet us at the restaurant. The conversation around the table comes easily and we are all having a great time. Michael texts me a message that says he can't wait to get me alone with winky faces. He's incorrigible. I send him back kissy faces.

After dinner, we are dropped off at our building. The landlord is in the store when we arrive so we go see him. He's pleasant and very understanding when we tell him to take Tyler off my lease. Michael says he's moving from his apartment to mine. He's alright with that, too. Michael tells him about the locks and he agrees. He tells us he will be back in twenty minutes.

Michael and I go back to my apartment. I ask him if he wants to move his stuff into my room. He agrees since my room is bigger. "But first, we get rid of your brother's junk," he says. I agree. I go grab some gloves and trash bags from the store.

We are about halfway through bagging stuff up when the landlord comes back. He brings a trailer and a locksmith. He lets us load my brother's junk in the trailer and he will haul it off to the dump.

He stays with us for a while and we just talk and drink hot chocolate. Just as he's about to leave, my parents pull in the driveway. He tells me to lock my door. He goes to greet them. I can hear him talking to them through my slightly open window. "Tyler doesn't live here and he's not welcome on my property. Neither are you. You have ten seconds to back out and leave or the police will be called." They do as he says without any hassle. He waves at us and leaves.

I don't know what I was expecting, but I breathe a sigh of relief anyways. Michael kisses my forehead. I can see the exhaustion on his face and I am sure it's evident on mine. He leads me to the bedroom. We strip to our underwear and climb into my bed. He holds me close and I fall asleep within moments.