A Book of American Martyrs by Joyce Carol Oates

Author:Joyce Carol Oates
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2016-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

VERDICT

Have you reached a verdict?

We have, Your Honor.

The judge was handed a slip of paper which he opened, read, handed back to the bailiff.

We find the defendant guilty as charged.

On two counts of homicide in the first degree—guilty as charged.

IT WAS A SURPRISE TO HIM! By the kick of his heart he had to realize he’d been expecting another verdict.

But I am not guilty. God will spare me.

It was a surprise to him and something of a shock, he had to concede it was something of a shock though he’d believed himself immune, invulnerable to earthly vicissitudes but then he realized—God was testing him.

And so Luther smiled, a radiant smile creasing his face.

In all his limbs, that were hard-muscled now, with not an ounce of fat encasing them after months of rigorous exercise in his cell, a shudder of newfound strength, resilience.

RETURNED TO HIS CELL in the detention facility. His cell, it had come to be.

The younger guard was not so friendly now. Since the exchange in the van when the guard had assured Luther Dunphy that he would one day walk out of the courthouse a “free man” there had been virtually no words between them. And the older guard, who had not liked Luther Dunphy, who had called him a profane name, was blatant in his dislike now.

Muttering with satisfaction what sounded like Fucker. Got what you deserve.

Luther’s lawyer too had been surprised. Stunned.

Or rather, not so surprised, probably. But stunned.

He would appeal the verdict, he assured Luther.

And whatever sentencing was to come, he would appeal. Though the young public defender was not so optimistic now. He spoke slowly, distractedly. His eyes were worried. Something of his former, almost giddy energy had dissipated and Luther felt a stab of sympathy, that he’d let the young man down.

Yet, he was sure that God had not abandoned him.

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