Just Be True To Me

***

Janet had always been the source of his strength. During their visit, after they’d gotten drunk, she broadened his perspective, which had previously been that she’d failed to protect him. She explained that she took the brunt of the punishment so he wouldn’t have to. He was barely able to listen as she described the beatings that took place when he wasn’t home, finding that she kept him in sports to also keep him out of harm’s way.

Within her was a strength that he mistook for passivity and acceptance, perhaps even preference of the situation. In reality, she’d been waiting for the moment to strike back. And it had finally arrived. A dead man can’t defend himself. She had no plans to hold any punches, just like he never did.

“Tell us about the night your husband was killed,” Rosario said.

“I don’t have any specific details because I wasn’t there.”

“And why weren’t you there?”

“It was one of those occasions where Marty had started drinking early and was passed out by the time the sun went down. I used the opportunity to take a mini vacation.”

“A few hours doesn’t really seem like a vacation,” Rosario said with a laugh.

“Any time away from abuse feels like a vacation.”

Rosario’s lack of answer enhanced the silence. Clearing her throat shattered it, as did her gulps as she drank. “Why should we believe that you were abused? In the only police report you filed, you said that it happened on a consistent basis. But yet, you only told the police about it once.”

“Do you want me to tell you some stories now,” Janet asked. “I’ve got plenty.”

“Please, do tell.”

***

Mia held Clifford’s hand, scooting herself to the edge of her chair to be closer to him. She didn’t see him flinch but she knew of the struggle that was taking place inside of him, feeling his pulse pound against her thumb as she rubbed across his wrist. His grip tightened on the particularly gory memories.

“One day, Marty decided to up his game.” Janet seemed to be beginning to crack, her hand shaking as she brought her glass to her lips. Her eyes connected with Clifford’s.

Mia felt him quiver as she placed her hand on his leg. She felt him stiffen as she ran her fingers along the edges of the scar. Though she never mentioned it, given his reaction the first time she came across it, she’d always wondered about it. She then realized that it was the possible reason why they always had s*x in the dark.

Janet said, “He decided to do it when I was asleep. That way I couldn’t protect Clifford.”

“Do what,” Rosario asked.

“He used a hanger to cauterize his initial in my son’s leg.” Janet stared at the ceiling. Tears were streaming down her face when she brought her head back down. “His screams woke me up. But I couldn’t stop it because Marty tied me to the bed. I had to listen to my son scream for me and beg his father to stop. And I couldn’t do anything about it. I assume you don’t have children, so you will never know that pain. Maybe you ask the addicts you know about that.”

Mia saw the blood drain from Rosario’s face.

“Would you like to hear any more stories,” Janet asked.

She cleared her throat as a means of regaining her composure. “No, but I would like to ask if you think your son, the defendant, Clifford Knight was justified in killing your husband.”

Janet took a breath, calm washing over her. An arrogant grin appeared on the right side of her mouth, almost as if she had been waiting for the exact question. Her posture relaxed. She drank so that there would be no misconstruing her words.

“My son did what any son would do. He stopped a man that was hurting his mother. Again, if you had a son, or a child for that matter, you would understand the bond that exists. Clifford Knight, my son, is not a murderer. If a fly is bugging him, he will hurt it. He is a man before anything else and a man’s job is to protect those he holds in his heart. Because of the misconceptions and outright lies that have been told about him, I haven’t seen him on a consistent basis since he left. And that was 20 years ago. This trial has brought us back together. For that, Ms. Rosario, I thank you. My son is not a murder. I’m not afraid to say that I wouldn’t consider him to be my son if he hadn’t done what he did. It’s because of that man.” She pointed directly at him. “That I am able to be sitting in front of you here today. Clifford Knight, the man that I raised, put his father down to save my life. What happens to a dog when it attacks its owner? You get rid of that sum-bi*ch with a bullet to the back of his head.”

Rosario didn’t moved, stunned to silence. Her knees weakened, causing her to teeter. She managed to catch herself on the table.

The roles had been reversed. Mia did nothing to hide her amusement.

The judge asked, “Are you okay Ms. Rosario?”

“I’m fine,” she sniped. “No more questions. Your witness.”

“I don’t have any questions Your Honor,” Mia said.

He instructed that they would take a ten minute recess before starting closing statements.

Tamara was waiting for Mia when she walked out of the courtroom. She yanked her into the bathroom, not giving the woman that followed any excuse before shoving her out and locking the door. She then slapped her arm.

“Why didn’t you tell me that was his mom?”

“I didn’t know until last night,” Mia said, laughing. “Feel better now.”

“Hell yeah. I thought I ruined your last shot at happiness.” She used her shoulder to block Mia’s punch as she giggled. “But for real though, I felt bad. I like you and Clifford together. And his mom…girl…she’s a bad bi—”

“Watch it. Let’s at least get to know the woman first.”

Tamara asked, “You ready to bring this thing home? Add another win to that streak?”

“Damn right.”

She tapped her fists on the top and bottom of Mia’s. She then rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait to hear what you’re gonna say. I know you got something gangsta planned. Drop a line or sumthin.”

“You know I can’t do that. A magician never reveals his tricks.” Mia asked for some alone time. She splashed some water on her face and washed her hands. Setting the timer on her phone for two minutes, she stared into her eyes. A physical and mental transformation had taken place. There was a glow to her skin and peace in her mind. The headache that had been lingering since the start of the trial was no longer present. Power swirled around in her chest.

All the pressure that she placed on her shoulders melted as she realized that she had nothing to prove. After years of searching, she finally found what she needed to fill the void in her spirit. Love. She had complete, genuine, and unconditional love.

She smiled, the light reaching her eyes. “You’ve already won, lady. This is just icing on the cake. Go do what you do best. Bring this thing home.”

The timer went off. Mia washed her face and hands once more. She then gave herself a final smile.