Life First: (Dystopian series, book 1) by RJ Crayton

Author:RJ Crayton [Crayton, RJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2013-06-13T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25: Susan’s Story

This is the testimony I have most dreaded. It seems unfair to make Susan tell her story to these people; it is none of their business. Testifying means she must relive the mistakes the system made. I suppose she lives it every day, so perhaps my concern for her is unwarranted. Still, I feel guilty that my hearing will dredge up the senseless mistakes yet again. That it will remind her it all could have been prevented; remind her that at one point in time she was just like the rest of us: vibrant, walking, running, kicking, swimming, moving her legs. Instead, she will be tormented with this again today, reliving it one time more than necessary. Sometimes in life it’s easier to just move on with the results we have, not to keep going over what led us there.

Steeling myself for Susan’s appearance, I tune out what’s going on. Albert says something, then I notice all eyes have converged on the door that leads into the courtroom. I turn to watch, too. The guard is holding the door open as Susan wheels herself in, past the rows of spectators, past my father, past the table where I sit with Albert and the one opposite mine where Bickers sits. She continues toward the chair where the other witnesses sat, where she can be seen by the jury and the opposing side. Once she turns her chair in the proper direction, she smiles at me. Instinctively, I smile back.

The deputy walks over to swear Susan in, presuming she will remain in her wheelchair, hovering in front of the elevated seat where everyone else had testified. But, he doesn’t know Susan. “A little help,” she says to him, as she begins hoisting herself out of her wheelchair and into the testimony seat. The deputy seems astonished for just a moment, then grabs hold of her arm and helps heft her into the elevated witness chair. Susan catches her breath; the maneuver, even with the help of the deputy, has left her winded.

We all watch, mesmerized by Susan’s determination to do things the same as everyone else. Mesmerized by her calm, by her projection that this is the norm, when it is not. The deputy watches beyond when Susan catches her breath and seems ready to be sworn in. The judge clears his throat, jolting the deputy back from his trance-like observance, and he swears Susan in.

When the deputy returns to his post, Uncle Albert approaches Susan and gives a respectful nod. “Ms. Harper, how long have you known Kelsey Reed?”

“Since we were five. So 18 years,” she says in a firm voice that carries across the room clearly. She wants the jury to hear her answers, to make no mistake about what she is saying. Susan obviously has none of the ambivalence about her testifying that I do.

“And how would you describe your relationship?”

“We’re best friends.”

Uncle Albert nods, then his expression turns serious, almost grim. “Ms. Harper, I’m going

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