Draven's Landing

Judgement

    "Miranda Duncan!"

    Miranda raises her head from against the cold, concrete blocks.  She looks at the officer walking toward her, He happens to be her best friend's brother, Sam, and he looks pissed.  

    "Miranda, what the hell?" he asks her.  "At least you didn't drag Jennifer into this mess.  I would ask what you were thinking but clearly you weren't"  He opens the door to the holding cell.  "Come on, you've got a hearing to get to."  He guides her down the hall and to the attached court house.  "Your parent's are already here and things should go pretty quickly."  

    Miranda squares her shoulders and stands up straighter.  She'll be damned if she lets Hank St. John know she's terrified.  She walks through the double doors, past the benches where her mom and step-dad sit and takes her place at the defendant's table.  A court appointed attorney introduces himself but she barely pays him any attention.  

    The judge walks in and everyone stands.  He goes through all the legal jargon that Miranda cares nothing about.  She's just waiting until she can get home and take a shower.  "Miss Duncan!" Judge Harker yells.  "Clearly this hearing is of no interest to you.  Does that mean you would like to continue being a guest at our county facility?"

    "No, sir." she replies.  She thinks to herself, "This fool has lost his damn mind. Get on with it so I can go."

    "Miss Duncan, it seems to me that you think that stealing the sheriff's car and then totaling said car is a mere kid's prank.  Let me assure you that it is not.  I can see by your record that you've been pushing the limit on what you can get away with.  That is over young lady."

    Miranda looks at the judge in shock.  She got the sheriff's car to blue light her friends.  It was only supposed to be a little joke.  It stopped being funny when her foot slipped onto the gas and rammed the car into a tree.  What is this old codger about to do to her?  Miranda realizes she is 17 and could technically be moved from family court to supreme court.  

    "Your Honor," my step-father, Hank rises and speaks to the Judge.  "I am Miranda's step-father.  Her mother and I have been discussing things and have an idea that we would like for you to consider."  The judge looks at Hank with respect, not realizing what a creep he is.  "Mr. St. John, please share your idea."

    "My sister and her husband have a ranch, Draven's Landing.  She is pregnant and is having some complications.  They could use a hand and if we send Miranda there, she would have an opportunity to be responsible for something other than herself and to learn the meaning of hard work."

    The judge leans back in his chair, pondering the idea.  Miranda looks at Hank and her mom, Callie, like they have three heads.  She can't go to Draven's Landing!  She mouths "what the f**k" to her mom and spins back around to face the judge.  

    "Mr. St. John, I think you may be on to something here.   Miss Duncan, I am waiving trail and sentencing you to 12 months probation to be served at Draven's Landing.  There, you'll report for work six days of the week and can only leave the ranch in the accompaniment of a member  of the Draven family.  Court is dismissed."  Judge Harker pounds the gavel, stood, and walks out of the courtroom.

    Miranda pails and looks Callie who stands there, unmoving.  "Let's go Callie" Hank says to her, looking smug.  "Someone needs to get home and pack."  Miranda wished she could slap that look off his face.