An Unexpected Love, Amber Riel [i have read the book .txt] 📗

in there at the time. It’s the recession. It’s taking normally nice people and making them do things that they wouldn’t do, just to live. Brandon’s an example of that and… I love him.”

          Everyone was amazed at Cassie’s speech and a little shocked.

          “But he-” Brain began.

          “He was at the wrong place, the wrong time,” Cassie interrupted. “But it was an accident. Please, don’t take him away from me?”

          “Cassie, you may leave the stand. Next, I call Zeke Jackson to the stand,” Brain said when Cassie walked past him.

          Zeke took a deep breath and led Buck up to the stand.

          “The dog can’t stay up there,” the lawyer told him.

          “Man, this dog is cool,” Zeke replied. “Why can’t he come up with me?”

          Brandon hid his face in his hand; feeling a little embarrassed and shook his head. Buck let out a loud bark.

          “See, man… he wants to come,” Zeke said.

          “No, Zeke,” Brain replied.

          Zeke looked at Buck and shook his head. “Sorry, man. They don’t allow friends to the stand when they’re furry and have a tail.” He walked onto the stand, leaving Buck by himself.

          The dog sat down and looked at the people, sniffing.

          Zeke sat in the chair, waiting for the questions to begin. The bailiff walked over to him, holding the Bible and Zeke placed his hand on top of it. Like with Cassie, the bailiff had Zeke quote the oath of truth.

          “How long have you known Brandon, Mr. Jackson?” Brain asked.

          “Well, ever since we were kids. We’re close like brothers,” Zeke answered.

          “Did Brandon tell you about robbing any banks?”

          “No, sir, and once I realized that Brandon was the bank robber, I was going to call the cops but Brandon said he would instead.”

          “And did he?”

          “Well, we wouldn’t be here today if he lied.”

          “Okay. Has Brandon ever been involved in any other crimes?”

          “No, sir… actually, usually he’s for justice, not breaking laws.”

          “Well, why do you think he did this?”

          “Pressure… the day before, he-” Zeke looked at Brandon. “Work had been causing him a lot of stress.”

          “Okay.”

 

 

          Brandon was the last person to get up on the stand. He sat down and looked around. He noticed a woman who had been in her early forties. Somehow, he figured she must have been related to the bank which made him feel a thousand times worst.

          The bailiff walked over to Brandon, held up the Bible and waited for Brandon to place his hand on top of it. “Do you swear to tell the truth? The whole truth? Nothing but the truth?” the bailiff asked.

          “I do.”

          Brain began asking Brandon a series of questions which were similar to the ones he had asked Cassie. Brandon had answered them the same way but from his perspective.

Finally, Brandon took a deep breath. “Cassie was right,” he told everyone. “I was at the wrong place, at the wrong time, but I met the right girl.” He looked at Cassie. “I love you, Cassie. That’s why I have to do this.” He turned his attention toward the woman he had noticed earlier. “I killed the banker and I’m sorry. I wasn’t planning on hurting, well, killing anyone. I wasn’t planning on kidnapping anyone either… and I wasn’t planning on falling in love. I feel horrible… guilty. I wish I can walk up to that man and apologize for what I did but I can’t and that makes me feel worse than if I just got the money and left. I didn’t get the money that I needed but I still killed someone and to his family who might be out there… I’m sorry…. Cassie, I love you but I have to pay the price. I’m sorry that I have to hurt you like this… in front of everyone here. I’m sorry.”

          “Okay. Well, what’s the jury got to say?” Brain asked, turning toward the small group of people.

          Cassie was out of the room.

          “What’s the verdict?”

          A jury member stood up. “We find the defendant guilty but we all agree that he should be given a second chance.”

          Duncan had to consider what was said before he answered. It was obvious to him that Brandon was beating himself up about the incident. “You didn’t rob the bank, but you still murdered someone and kidnapped someone else. I can tell that Cassie’s not going to sue or wants to see you in jail because it’s obvious that she loves you. Now, I don’t know….”

          The older woman stood up and raised her hand.

          “Yes?” the judge asked.

          The woman placed her hand into her other hand and looked up at the judge. “I’m Micheal’s wife… well, his widow now… and I can tell by this man’s expression and his voice that he feels guilty and he wants to apologize for what he did….” Widow Walker looked over at Brandon. “I forgive you and if my husband were here he’d forgive you too. The next time, you’re with Cassie go to his grave and apologize. It would help to get rid of that guilt. You deserve a second chance.”

          Brandon was amazed by the woman’s words and forgiveness.

          “By the way,” Widow Walker continued, starting to cry, “he had cancer and he was dying anyways. You did what the doctors didn’t want to do.” She broke down into tears, trying to talk.

          Officer Turner walked over to the poor woman and helped her make her way out of the room.

          The decision was up to Duncan. “Okay.” He turned his attention toward Brandon. “Because everyone here seems to want to give you a second chance, then I’m going to give you three months in the slammer, two months’ probation, and then a second chance. Now, remember, the next time I won’t be so generous.”

          “Yes, sir,” Brandon agreed.

          “Court dismissed.”

 

Separated

Cassie walked away in tears, thinking the worst. She wondered down the side which wasn’t too far from the courthouse. She waited for Zeke because he had offered her a ride since Brandon would be going off to jail.

          Jennie, Melinda, and Lloyd joined her. They noticed the sadness in her eyes. Jennie smiled but Cassie looked away.

          “Cassie,” Melinda spoke with a smile. “We’ve got news about-”

          “I don’t know want to know.” Cassie was too upset to even listen.

          “Brandon’s-” Jennie began.

          “I don’t want to talk about it. Where’s Zeke?” Cassie asked.

          “Who?” Melinda replied with another question.

          “Oh. He’s going to talk to Brandon for a minute then he said that he was going to meet you out here,” Jennie answered Cassie.

          “Okay,” Cassie spoke softly. “You three can go. I’ll be fine.” She faked a small smile.

          “Okay,” Jennie said.

          Lloyd gave Cassie a quick hug. “Things will get better.”

          “Thanks,” Cassie told him.

          Her three friends left without another word.

 

 

          A glass window separated Zeke and Brandon. They had to use a phone to hear each other speak. “Hey, man. What’s new?” Zeke asked, smiling.

          “Nothing much, of course. What about you?” Brandon asked.

          “Same old, same old.”

          “Oh. How’s Cassie?”

          “She’s worried about you. She doesn’t even want to visit you because it breaks her heart. I and her friends try to tell her about how you’re not going to be in jail for a long time but she doesn’t like to talk about it. Cassie doesn’t want anyone but you, Brandon. She loves you a lot and it shows. She and I have become good friends and I think that you two are meant for each other. See, you two could be separated for years and not want anyone else.”

          Brandon agreed with Zeke. He loved Cassie more than anything in the world and it was killing him that he couldn’t see her face or hear her voice.

          “When you get out, the first thing that you need to do is go see her. You both need each other,” Zeke explained.

          “I miss her more and more every day, Zeke. I miss hearing her voice.” Brandon smiled a little, thinking about her. “I enjoy being around her, even when we’re arguing.”

          “Well, once you get out, we should plan on a double date.”

          “You’ve got a girlfriend now?”

          “Yeah, I’m dating Cassie’s friend Jennie.”

          Brandon smiled. “Sounds like fun.”

 

 

          A couple of days later, Jennie and Melinda sat and waited for Brandon to appear. “We’re actually going to talk to this guy?” Melinda asked.

          “Yeah, we’re doing it for Cassie,” Jennie reminded Melinda. “Besides, I swear that I’ve met him once before.”

          Brandon sat down and picked up the phone. “Hello, ladies.”

          The two girls were busy in their own little conversation that they hadn’t realized Brandon had arrived. He tried everything to get their attention until finally Officer Sheen had pointed to him.

          Brandon smiled at the police officer as if to thank him.

          Melinda picked up the phone and held it in between her and Jennie so they both could listen to him.

          “Hello, ladies,” Brandon greeted.

          “Hello,” they both replied.

          “Where’s Cassie?”

          “At her house, crying over you. You know,” Melinda stated, “besides the fact that you’re hot, I don’t understand why she even likes you.”

          “Melin-” Jennie began.

          “It’s okay,” Brandon interrupted. “Look, I can understand why you don’t like me. I kid-”

          “Now, I know why you’re familiar to me,” Jennie replied.

          Melinda and Brandon looked at Jennie, confused.

          “You were buying a dress for your….” Jennie had come to realization that she had met Brandon whilst she was working. “For Cassie,” she said with a smile.

          Brandon returned the smile. “Yeah, you were the girl who helped me find the dress.”

          “Did she like it?”

          “She loved it.”

          “And the crown?”

          Brandon nodded. “And the crown.” He turned his attention back toward Melinda. “I know that you must hate me because I kidnapped your best friend but it wasn’t supposed to work out that way… and I want the both-”

          “Look,” Melinda replied, “we’re not going to try and break you two up, even if we don’t agree with Cassie falling for a criminal… but she’s our best friend and she’s in love with you. We think that you two should be together… just don’t break her heart any more than it already is. Zeke’s told us about how you two make a good couple and we think that you two should be together. I can’t believe that I just said that but I meant it. Don’t break her heart.”

          “Don’t plan to,” Brandon replied simply.

          “You’re the guy who was too chicken to buy a bra… you weren’t even going to say the word, weren’t you?” Melinda asked, remembering back to that day in whilst she was working.

          Brandon looked away, embarrassed.

          “He’s the guy… who? Wow.” Jennie had to cover her mouth to keep herself from laughing.

 

 

          Melinda and Jennie were at Cassie’s house, trying to keep Cassie from thinking about Brandon but it didn’t work. “Things will be better,” Melinda told her.

          “Yeah,” Jennie agreed, “don’t worry about Brandon. He’s-”

          “I miss him.” Cassie’s eyes were cherry red from all of the crying she had done. The phone rang. She stood up and