Defined By Deceit

“When can I get out of here?” Llew said, trying to take a few breaths thorough his nose.

“It’s Sunday, so your arraignment will be scheduled on Monday, in General District Court, since you’re eighteen.”

Llew’s heart rate jacked up again and he had to fight the nausea. He didn’t even know he was shaking his head until his brother started saying, “Yes you can.”

“Do you hear me, Llew? You’re stronger than you think, bro. You can make it.”

“No. No.”

“Yes, you fuckin’ can. You’re my brother, you’re strong. We’re gonna fight this all the way, but I need you to get your armor on, bro and get ready to fight.”

Anger and fear were warring inside of him. How had his life gone from full of promise to walking through the gates of hell? He was so afraid, but he was going to try to be strong for his brother. They were all they had. He wasn’t going to give up. Again, he took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. He looked to his too-young lawyer. “What’s first?”

“The arraignment is where we’ll hear the official charges. I’m going to ask for bail at that time. You’re a first-time offender, upstanding member of the community, a good student with scholarship offers. I think we’ll have a good chance of getting bail.” Jason smiled at him. “However, it might not be cheap.” He looked to Leslie.

“I’ll put the business up if I have to,” Leslie said, determinedly.

“Goddamnit,” Llew grumbled.

“We’ll do what we have to, Llew. I’m getting you the fuck out of here.”

“One thing at a time. Even if you get bail, we need to mount a defense to present at trial if Moss doesn’t accept responsibility and drop these false charges. But, after what I heard from the investigators in this case, he and his parents are pursuing this prosecution fully. So we need to be prepared,” Jason said, loosening his top button, his pen poised to write.

“I didn’t rape my boyfriend.”

“I believe you.” Jason looked at him a long time, and Llew saw that he wasn’t lying or blowing sunshine up his ass.

“Thank you,” Llew said quietly.

“Start from the beginning.”

Chapter Five

Llew had sweated through his suit while he waited for the jury to deliberate their verdict. His young lawyer had done all he could possibly do in the three-day trial, but even Llew had to admit that the evidence against him was overwhelming. The jury had looked mortified by the graphic pictures of Moss’ injuries.

The opposing counsel ate his brother up on the stand; accusing him of lying when he insisted Moss and Llew had been in a gay relationship since they were freshmen. The schoolmates the prosecution had called rebutted Leslie’s testimony, assuring the jury that Moss McGregor was not gay.

Llew’s testimony was honest, but it didn’t make him look like the Boy Scout his lawyer tried to sell. Attempting to convince some older men on the jury that his boyfriend liked hard sex, and wanted to be marked by his mouth and hands wasn’t easy. He didn’t know which hurt worse through the whole process. That Moss hadn’t come to face him since his daddy had made it easy for him not to. Or that not one of their classmates was on Llew’s side. Only his brother was seated on his side of the courtroom.

His brother awaited Llew’s fate in the small conference room with him. Leslie had gotten a loan against the business to post his one hundred thousand dollar bail, but Llew hadn’t been able to do anything other than remain in the house while awaiting trial. He’d longed to talk to Moss, but he’d been forbidden to do so. Moss’ testimony was taken in the mayor’s mansion, because the judge ruled in favor of the prosecution’s motion that facing his attacker would be too traumatic for him, and that Moss had already sustained irreversible psychological damage from suffering an attack at the hands of his best friend.

“The jury’s back, Llew,” his lawyer said, peeking in the door.

His brother squeezed his hand, turning to look him in his eyes. “Little bro, whatever they come back with….” Leslie eyes flooded with tears, and it was at that point Llew realized he was going to prison. He’d have to leave his brother. “I love you Llewellyn. So very much. I know you’re innocent, whether they can see it or not. No matter what happens, you’ll get through it. Be strong. Be the man Dad raised you to be.”

Llew bowed his head. He had no words.

“Will the defendant please rise?” Llew heard the Judge’s order, but he wasn’t sure if his legs would work or not. Surprisingly, they did.

“Has the jury reached a verdict?”

The older gentleman in a bowtie and sweater-vest that’d been selected jury foreman stood and replied, “We have, Your Honor.”