Reinhold was quiet for a moment, contemplating whether he would allow the witness and I held my breath.
“Proceed,” he said. “You may sit, Defense.”
Pembrook and I sat.
“Pemmy, who is it?” I asked under my breath.
“I’ve honestly no idea,” he said
Just then, the doors opened and I thought my eyes were deceiving me. I blinked slowly before wiping my eyes. When I reopened them, I discovered what I’d only thought was an illusion.
Ian.
I’d stood and begun to run toward him but Pemmy stayed me with an arm. He shook his head back and forth and I was forced to sit. Seeing him for the first time since I’d left felt incredible yet overwhelming. I needed his touch but simultaneously, I was so afraid he still meant what he’d said. I didn’t want to know but I was desperate to know at the same time.
He moved toward the witness stand with only a brief glance my direction, spearing me in the gut. When he approached the witness stand, the bailiff approached him, bible in hand.
“Place your right hand on the bible,” the bailiff ordered and Ian complied. “State your name,” he said.
“Ian Aberdeen.”
“You do solemnly state that the testimony you may give in the cause now pending before this court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?”
“I do.”
I gulped audibly.
“Mister Aberdeen,” the prosector began, “what is your position at the Ugandan orphanage Masego?”
“I’m technically a teacher there but I suppose you could also consider me a jack of all trades. I mend fences, birth the occasional calf, assist in medical emergencies, that sort of thing.”
“Were you present at Masego for the lenght of Miss Price’s stay?”
“I was.”
“And are you an authorized representative of Masego?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Tell the court then, Mister Aberdeen, your experience with Miss Price during her stay at Masego.”
“The day Sophie came to Uganda,” he began...
For the next hour and a half, Ian told our entire story to the court leaving out the part where we fell madly for one another. It was an incredible story to hear all at once and I found myself crying at the tale. I peered around me and noticed there didn’t seem to be a dry eye in the room. But he never once made eye contact throughout the entire thing and that wounded my already bleeding heart. He was going to help me, yes, but he wanted nothing to do with me beyond saving my hide.
When he was done, the prosecution dismissed him and he sat on the opposite side of the courtroom to await Judge Reinhold’s decision. I looked on him, begging him to glance my direction but his stare at the front of the courtroom was unmoving.
“Sophie?” I heard.
I turned to Reinhold. “Uh, I’m sorry, did you say something?” I asked him.
Reinhold breathed deeply. With a brief tap of his gavel, “I dismiss your case as time served. You’re free to go, Miss Price.” Reinhold stood and the rest of the courtroom followed suit. He made a move to go but stopped himself. “Before I leave, Miss Price” he said, turning toward me, “know this, yours is the most satisfying punishment I’ve ever given.” He inclined his head out of respect and I nodded once in return.
When Reinhold was gone, I turned, ready to run Ian’s direction. I sprinted around the table, pushing chairs out of my way, my heart jumping into my throat without ever taking my stare off his heavenly face.
Everyone rushed me at once, congratulating me and attempting to hug me. Spencer bombarded me, kissing my cheek, and picking me up. I struggled to get down, still staring Ian’s direction. Finally, he made brief eye contact before walking through the double doors and out of my eyesight.
I broke free and ran for him.