Jynx, Bitch!

As we got out to the truck, Jake opened my door and I slid in. I stared out the windshield, still in disbelief. “Katie?” I turned to look at Jake as he buckled his seatbelt. “You okay?” I nodded and gave him a small smile. “Yeah. Just still in shock that I’m finally doing something about this.” He smiled and leaned over the console, kissing me. “It’ll all be okay. I promise.” I smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Jake.” He drove us home, a sense of peace over us that we haven’t known in a few weeks now. “So how’d it go?” Penny asked. I took a deep breath, nodding. “We found our lawyer. We go back tomorrow to talk more in detail about what this is gonna look like.” Penny nodded. “Well if you want, you can drop the kittens off with me tomorrow at the house. Amelia will love it.” I nodded. “That’d be great Penny, thank you.” With that we sent her off and set up to feed the kittens again. “I need to print off a bunch of pictures.” I said and Jake nodded. “The one time I wish I had a printer in the house.” We stood in silence for a moment before I had an idea. I grabbed my phone and immediately shot Rebecca a text. 

After a minute I smiled at her response. “Rebecca is gonna print everything I need at school. She can meet me later this evening to hand them over.” I said and he smiled as he shook a bottle. “Great. She names the time and place and we’ll be there.” He said in agreement. We sat down to feed the kittens before spending the rest of the day relaxing until Rebecca texted me, letting me know where to meet her. Jake and I decided to leave the kittens at home, seeing as we were only going to be gone a short time. I drove Jake and I down to a nearby gas station where we pulled up next to Rebecca as she got gas. “Hi.” I said as I got out, Jake coming around to join me. “Oh it’s so good to see you!” She said, tossing her arms around my shoulders. She held me tightly for a minute before letting go. She reached into her passenger seat and grabbed a folder with the photos. “These were… shocking.” She said as she handed me the folder with the pictures in it. “I know. But I really appreciate you printing them off for me.” She smiled at me. “Kick their asses in court?” I nodded. “We will.” I responded. “Okay. Just keep me updated? I worry about you.” Tears sprung to my eyes at her words. “I will. Thank you, Rebecca.” I said and with that we left. 

The next morning we dropped the kittens off with Penny and Amelia and headed back to Mr. Sterling’s office. “Ah! You made it.” He said as he walked into the conference room. “Hope you like sandwiches and salad.” He said with a smile. “Love it.” Jake said. We all made our plates and sat down. “I printed off more pictures.” I said, sliding him the folder. “You have more?” He asked and I nodded. “These were taken the second time I ran. Jake and our friends broke me out of my parents house.” Mr. Sterling looked at the pictures for a moment, a solemn look on his face. “Are these finger marks on your neck?” I nodded. “My father choked me out multiple times in that two week period.” Mr.Sterling rubbed his face as he sighed. “Katie. These pictures…” He drifted off, sifting through the large pile of photos. “God.” He said as he came across the picture of my thighs. “I don’t know if they’ll be of much help…” I said. “No. These are what are going to solidify our defense. That and witnesses.” He looked to us. “We uh, haven’t had a chance to talk to anyone yet.” Jake admitted. Mr. Sterling smiled at us. “Well get to work on talking to people. Thanksgiving is only two weeks away and I’d like to get us into court before then.” My eyebrows shot up. “Can you build a case in that time?” I asked and he laughed. “Trust me, building this case will not be hard at all. Let’s just get down to the nitty gritty and work out the kinks. Then I need to get you both ready to be up on the stand.” I sighed. “Mr. Sterling-” “Thomas. Call me Thomas. Or Tom.” I nodded. “Tom. Do you really think we can win this?” I asked and he grinned. “I know we can. We’re going to kick their asses.”

After our last meeting with Mr. Sterling Jake and I have been struggling with anxiety over everything and have thrown ourselves into cleaning the house, talking to people about being witnesses and taking care of the kittens who have now become mobile. All eyes and ears are open and they are vocal. “I know!” I said as I fixed a bottle. High pitched meows coming from the floor next to me. “Oh really?” I asked as little paws went over my foot. Suddenly my phone started ringing. “Jake!” I called and he walked in. “I got it.” He took the bottle from me and swooped up two of the kittens as I grabbed my phone off the dining room table and answered it. “Hello?” “Katie? It’s Tom.” I smiled. “Hey. What’s going on?” I asked. “Be ready. We’re in court starting next Wednesday.” I stopped, my breath catching in my throat. “Wh-what?” I asked, the reality of everything settling in me. “Come next Wednesday, you will be facing your parents in court. Are you ready?” Jake looked back at me from the couch, mouthing ‘who is it?’ with his brows furrowed. “Katie?” Tom asked again. “I’m more than ready.” I said. “Good. I’m sending out subpoenas to everyone you told me would be a witness. They’ll have it by the end of the week.” I nodded. “Thank you.” 

Jake and I spent the weekend with everyone, helping them to get ready to help us in court. “I just can’t believe we’re here.” Rooster said as we sat on the couch. “Yeah, seems like only yesterday we broke down your bedroom door.” Rooster raised his brow as Phoenix spoke. “Last I checked you did no door kicking.” He responded. “And you didn’t either. You unlocked the front door. Hangman kicked her bedroom door in.” I laughed at their interaction. That moment was terrifying and when I think back to it, it still is. But I know now, I don’t have to worry. “So how is all of this gonna go?” Bradley asked. “Well. From my understanding we’ll go in, they’ll announce the claims and after that my lawyer will announce the counterclaims. We’ll hear both sides at the same time, my parents going first. Which is a good thing because it means more of a chance they dig their own graves.” They nodded. “And what about your dishonorable discharge?” Bradley asked as he pulled a face and made air quotes around ‘dishonorable discharge’. “That will be a separate case after this one. But Tom says we have a high chance of winning her case and that will reflect on mine. He’s very confident we’ll win mine too.” They nodded. “So we’re really the only two witnesses?” Phoenix asked. “No. The rest of the team are also witnesses for everything that happened on base. But you two are really the only witnesses for the day we got her out.” They nodded. “How do you feel?” Phoenix asked me. “I am terrified to my core.” I admitted as Jake took my hand, kissing it before setting it back down on my leg. “But I’m more than ready.”

I’ve been in a daze since we found out and come Wednesday morning I got ready on autopilot. “You okay?” Jake asked and I nodded. “I just- I don’t know how I’m going to handle this.” I responded and he came up behind me, kissing the back of my head. “I think you’re going to handle it better than you think, and I am not going to let you down, okay?” I nodded and turned to hug him. “Thank you.” I said as I buried my face in his chest. “For what?” He asked as he wrapped his arms around me. “Saving me, supporting me, loving me.” I said and he chuckled. “It’s the best decision I've ever made.” We stood like that for a minute before he pulled away. “Okay, finish getting ready, we have twenty minutes.” I waved him off as I turned back to the bathroom counter to curl my hair. “Plenty of time.” I said and he smirked at me in the mirror. “That’s only twelve hundred seconds.” It settled on me how long I really had. “Shit! Will you grab my heels from the closet and make sure everything we need is next to my purse?” I asked as he walked out. “I got it, baby.” He said and I felt a little better. “Oh and we’re taking my truck!” I said and he raised a brow as he walked by. “Why?” He asked and I shrugged as I moved on to another section of my hair. “They think I can’t do anything without them. I learned to drive straight shift without them.” I said and frowned. “Okay now that sounds stupid since I‘ve said it out loud.” I sighed as I grabbed another chunk of hair. “It’s not. You’re parents have said and done things to you and they tried to set you up for failure away from them and you didn’t fail. Believe it or not, you’re thriving.” I gave him a small smile in the mirror. “Thank you.” I said and he smiled. “Let’s finish up.” 

I grabbed my purse and a few files from the table next to the front door as we walked out. I pulled out my keys and unlocked the truck door and Jake opened it for me. “Thank you.” I said as I unlocked the passenger side and started the truck. “Ready?” Jake asked as he got in and I nodded. “Yeah.” I said as I threw it in reverse. The ride was silent bar the radio playing a local country station playing quietly. As we pulled up to the court house I could see the bronco and a few other familiar vehicles but not my parents. Which made me feel a little better. My stomach was in knots and I wasn’t sure if I was gonna puke or pass out. I took a few deep breaths as I leaned my head back. “You okay?” Jake asked, turning to me. My eyes started to sting and my deep breaths turned to gasping as my chest tightened. “Babe-” “I don’t think I can do this.” I managed to get out. “You were fine ten minutes ago.” He said, confused. “I was stupid to think I could do this!” I cried. I barely registered his door opening and he came around. “Scoot.” I slid over slightly so he could sit on the edge of the driver's seat. “Look at me.” I took a big deep breath and manage to stave my sobs for a second to look at him. “You’ve already done the hard part. Deciding to go after them. Facing them is scary, but if anybody can take them down, it’s you.” I sobbed again for a second before stopping. “Everything okay?” I looked to see Bob, Phoenix standing behind him. “She’s freaking out. I think finally showing up made it real.” Jake said and I nodded. “Oh come on.” Bob said and I looked at him with furrowed brows. “You ran from them, twice. You had the shit beat out of you, they locked you in your bedroom for weeks, almost sent you off to someone, they withheld a diagnosis from you and you slapped the shit out of your mom and this is what your worried about? Seeing their faces while you have multiple people standing around that wouldn’t let them hurt you?” He asked, eyes locked on mine. “Come on. This is the easy part.” We all stared at him in surprise. This wasn’t Bob, but yet it was? “Speaking of.” Bradley said as he walked over and I looked up, seeing my dad’s truck pull into the parking lot. 

My whole body tensed up as I saw my dad’s tall and large figure step out. He met my gaze as he walked around opening my mothers door for her to get out. She also met my gaze as she got out, her gaze not leaving mine as she moved around the door. “Do not drop eye contact.” I heard Bob say and I didn’t. My mom moved in front of the truck and she stood there for a solid two minutes before she dropped her eyes and turned away. As she did I let out a sigh of relief. “They’re trying to be intimidating.” Jake said and I nodded. “They don’t have to try.” I said and took a deep breath. “Okay. Let’s do this.” I said and Jake got out of my way. “You better now?” I shook my head. “No. So let’s go before I lose my nerve.” I responded. Jake took the files and I pulled my purse higher up on my shoulder. We approached the front doors and I saw the rest of the dagger squad standing there. “Oh I have been waiting for this.” Fanboy said, rubbing his hands together. “I could do without it.” I said as Payback held the door open for us. People were everywhere and I barely spotted Mav and Tom talking to each other near one of the court rooms. I made my way over but was cut off when a man stepped in front of me, startling me. “Miss Blair.” I looked up as he was very tall and had to take a step back to actually see him. He was dark haired, a dazzling smile and fair skinned. “Very nice to meet you.” He said as he all but aggressively shook my hand. “And you are?” I asked. “I am Jackson Strande. I’m your parents lawyer.” My eyes widened as he took a step closer and I took another step back bumping into Jake. “Look man-” “Jackson.” He turned to Tom who had a mischievous grin on his face. “Tom Sterling. I’m not surprised to see you here. You always did take the long shots.” 

“I do. But I will have to ask that you don’t speak directly to my client. All communication will go through me.” Jackson seemed to be sizing Tom up and by the looks of it, there wasn’t much difference between them. “Very well. But her parents want to speak with her before we go in.” Tom immediately shook his head. “That won’t be happening. Nothing will be said between them without my presence and I will not allow them to speak with her before, during or after her trial unless she asks.” A small smile graced my face as Jackson huffed. “Very well. See you in there.” He said as he stepped around Tom and walked away. I watched as he walked over to my parents and as soon as he got close enough my mother was throwing her hands around in anger. “This is going to be intense. They’re going to continue to try to keep communicating with you and get in your head. But I will keep them at bay as best I can.” I nodded. “Okay.” I said and handed him the files. “We better get in there.” He said as he took the files from me. Jake took my hand and held it tightly as we filed into the courtroom. Jake took a seat in the first row, all our friends filing in next to him and I took a seat next to Tom. “Okay. They will announce your parents' charges first and then I will stand and announce our counter charges.” I nodded and we sat there for a few moments before the judge entered the courtroom. 

“All rise for the honorable Judge Bailey.” We all stood and I felt like I was gonna puke. Once she sat she motioned us to sit. “We’re here to discuss the charges Richard and Meredith Blair have brought against their daughter Katherine Scarlett Blair.” My father nodded in his seat as the Judge looked at their lawyer. “Mr. Strande. What are the charges?” He stood, buttoning his suit jacket. “Your honor the Blairs are charging Ms. Blair with breaking and entering, battery and assault.” I furrowed my brows. Assault was new. That wasn’t in the papers I got. “Ms. Blair. What would possess you to break in and attack this sweet woman? Look at her, she's defenseless.” The judge said motioning to my mother who had fake tears streaming down her cheeks as she wiped them with a tissue. “For a daughter to treat her mother this way? You have to be heartless and cold and if it were legal I’d make my decision now and send you to jail.” My heart dropped and I felt like I was gonna pass out. They have her in their pockets, there’s no way they don’t. “Your honor. My client did what she did out of defense. She did not break into the home, officers found no real evidence of that and one of her neighbors even said they saw her open the door for my client.” Tom said as he stood. “Meredith Blair raised her hand to her own daughter and Katie reacted in self defense.” The judge raised her brows and where is the proof of this?” She asked. “I have plenty of evidence your honor. After all, people don’t tend to change their ways in old age.” I bit back a laugh as my mother gasped. “May I approach the bench?” She sat there for a moment before motioning him forward. Tom picked up the large stack of files from the table and took them to the judge whose eyes grew wide. They were whispering as he pulled out a few photos but I couldn’t see which ones. 

The judge nodded and Tom came back. “Your honor, we would like to press counter charges.” She nodded. “And they are?” Tom cleared his throat and looked at the paper he picked up. “Child neglect, child abuse, battery and assault with a deadly weapon. Multiple counts.” He said and the judge pursed her lips. “Very well. We will begin with the defendant.” Jackson stood. “Thank you, your honor. Mrs. Blair, if you will.” She nodded and stood, slowly making her way to the podium, false fear on her face. She swore on the bible and held back a gasp once she was done. “Mrs. Blair. Before the break in, when was Katie last in your home?” My mother opened her mouth and closed it before burying her face in her hands. “The day she disappeared. She was late to school that morning because her fish tank broke and we had to clean her floors.” Mr. Strande nodded. “And why was her fish tank broken?” He asked. “Sh-she had an outburst. She was angry that we told her she should probably stay home and study, not go out with her friends and she launched a textbook at me. I was standing in front of her tank when she did it and the textbook went through it. She didn’t even care that her fish were on the ground dying. I tried to save them all but I couldn’t.” I moved to stand when Tom grabbed my arm. “Do not move.” How could I not? She’s painting me to be this awful person. They are the reason all my fish are dead. Not me. “Objection your honor.” Tom said as he stood. “Reason?” She asked. “I have proof that she’s lying on the stand.”

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