Two Guardians for Little May (28 page)

***

May elbowed Caine after Layton
pointed to the seats toward the back of the courtroom. "He looks so
mad," she whispered, seating herself.

"He's got a lot at stake here,
baby. First and foremost, he wants to get that scumbag off the streets and out
of your life. He is also worried about that snake of a defense attorney trying
to shred you to pieces because he is more concerned with winning than
justice."

"I'm so sorry you guys have to
go through this," May said sadly.

"No, baby," Sri whispered
from her other side. "We are sorry that you have to go through this. Do
you remember what I told you?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good. I know the primary
judge. He's the one who helped get you settled at the lake house. You remember
me telling you about him?"

"Judge Larry?"

"Yes, only we call him Judge
Clemmons or Your Honor here. I don't know the other two listening to the
argument, but I suspect that they aren't going to buy into the bull any more
than Larry will."

"We have to trust in truth,
don't we?" May asked, her innocence radiating from her pretty face.
"That two-necked bird isn't going to kill itself for a silly piece of
fruit, right?"

"Not this time, honey. Larry
will make sure of that. Here comes Layton. Don't act like you know him."

Layton approached Sri and pointed
to the desk in the front of the room. Caine squeezed May's hand as they watched
the woman sit down next to Layton and review some papers.

"You okay, baby?"

"Yes. I just wanted to say I
love you to him," May whispered.

Caine kissed her knuckles. "He
knows it. Texas justice, remember?"

"Texas justice," May
nodded. "And a happily ever after."

 
"He'll do his best. We still have
another thirty minutes before this circus begins, so settle in and get
comfortable. It's gonna be a long day."

"Okay," May said, sitting
back with a pout. After several minutes, she yawned.

"Are you tired, baby doll?" Caine
whispered in May's ear.

"I didn't sleep well last night and both of
you were snoring in my ears. I want some coffee," May whispered back.
"And a donut."

"You don't need caffeine or more sugar right
now. Funny seeing a coffee mess in a courtroom, huh?" Caine chuckled,
sipping from his cup. "Never knew a cowboy or a lawman who could do
without."

"Please? Just a sip?"

"Here. Be careful, it's very hot. Layton
looks so sinister, doesn't he?" Caine gestured towards his brother. Layton
was dressed in a tailored black suit, left open in the front to display his
favorite silver belt buckle.

"Yeah. He just needs a black hat and he'd
look as deadly as Doc Holliday without the 'tashe. Why did he have to wear that
belt? He knows I hate it." May shuddered.

"He wears it for the same reason that you
hate it. It's intimidating. He won that buckle in a boxing match, you know."

"Layton boxes?" May was astonished.
"How come you never told me?"

"We never thought about it. Pop got tired of
sending him to the hospital to get his nose fixed, and made him quit. He was a
mean old cuss in his younger days."

"He still is at times," May chuckled.
"Really, though, I like how he is. He's so opposite of you. You two really
complement each other, like the perfect couple." She giggled.

"Brat. Shhh, it's beginning."

"All rise. Wichita Falls County Court of
Appeals is now in progress. The Honorable Lawrence Clemmons, presiding, and
associate justices Honorable Clarice Harrison, and Honorable Thomas Jones.
Please be seated," the bailiff called out.

May dug her nails into Caine's hand as her
assailant's attorney introduced the claim of coercion, and alleged that his
client was a helpless victim of manipulation. The attorney presented the
argument that the rapist was 'enticed' by a woman who was well known to share
her 'delights' with any available man in town, and concluded that the girl had
both seduced and provoked his client into rough sexual activities because, he
quoted, she 'liked it that way.'

Layton objected, and the fight was on. Caine
stroked May's hand, excising her talons from his flesh, and wrapping his hand
around hers. She gritted her teeth as Sri was permitted by the judges to
discuss the extent of damage done to the girl's physical, mental and emotional
state. She also opined that the trauma was eventful enough to raise concern
regarding May's ability to function safely on her own. When she was finished,
she returned to sit with May

 
"Is that the plan? To initiate the
application for guardianship? Brilliant!" Caine whispered.

May nodded, and listened as Layton laid out his
argument against the appeal–and was constantly interrupted by the defense
attorney.

"Oh boy, he's going to blow," Caine
whispered. "Layton hates being interrupted."

"Do you even remember what she looked like?
This 'town whore', as you call her. A women well known to every man in the
district and, what did you say? A few horses? No, don't look at your attorney.
Describe this woman!" Layton shouted.

"Yes, please," Judge Clemmons said
calmly. "Someone who is that popular must be easy to point out in a room
full of people. No? You don't see her? Mr. Marshall? Is the woman in the
courtroom today?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

The assailant stuttered, desperately looking
around the room to pick out the woman he had injured. "She had dark
hair…"

"She's blond!"

"Um, tall and with a nice rack, I mean,
breasts…"

"He doesn't even know what she looks
like!" Layton exploded. "She was a piece of meat to beat up and
abuse, then toss in the trash. To even consider allowing this person back on
the streets is a shameful embarrassment to a heritage that my family has
claimed since this great state was founded." His drawl was hard and heavy,
and his voice boomed. "You, sir!" He pointed to the jarred defense
attorney. "How dare you call yourself a Texan? You should be ashamed to
represent a case like this! Your mama would never be able to show her face in
public if she knew the kind of man she raised on this proud soil."

Sri elbowed May before anyone had a chance to
comment. May stood up. "Excuse me, Your Honor? May I please say
something?"

"May, sit down," Layton ordered, his
face clouded with anger.

"That's all right, counselor. Come forward,
child. You looked disturbed," the female judge said kindly. "I'm
sorry you have to be hearing all this. Are your parents here?" The woman
looked around the crowd.

She stepped forward. "No, ma'am. I'm Maybelle
Wright. I'm the one whose character this man is making all these attacks on. I
had never even kissed a boy before that night. I was stupid, and let him and
his friends talk me into a drink. It was my twentieth birthday. I know I was
under drinking age and I did wrong there, but," she paused and scanned the
eyes of the three judges, "I can't just sit here and listen to this man
justify raping me or any other woman. He's twice my size and at least twenty
years my senior. Mr. Marshall is right. There used to be a time when a girl
could depend on a gentleman watching out for her. Old values just don't seem to
matter anymore, do they? Not when a gal can't even be safe in her home
town." She looked at them, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Are you really twenty years old,
sweetheart?" the third judge asked.

"Yes, sir. I turned twenty the day they
stole my innocence and what little self-esteem I had," May looked down.
"I know I'm not allowed to testify, but I couldn't do it before. I was too
afraid to face them. To see that look on their faces. It makes me crazy."

Everyone in the room immediately turned to stare
hatefully at the smirking man. He instantaneously straightened his face.

"May, go sit down, please. Dr. Adul? Please
come get her. She's not stable," Layton called.

May walked over to the coffee mess, picked up a
cup and the pot of boiling hot coffee, and went to stand in front of the
rapist. "Please, sir, allow me to pour you a cup of coffee, and then we
can talk about how a virgin becomes a whore once she is raped in every orifice
by three people. You enjoyed going back and forth in me, didn't you? My begging
you to stop meant nothing, did it?"

The court was silent as May poured his cup,
placed it in front of him, and then dumped the remainder of the pot over his
lap. His screams filled the room as he jumped out of his chair and tried to fan
his scalding crotch.

"Thank you for listening." May smiled
at the judges before walking back to her seat.

"Fuck," Caine hissed. "Why the
hell did you do that?"

"I guess I had a meltdown," May
shrugged. "And you cussed."

"I'm going to do more than cuss when we get
home. Damn it, May!"

"Order! Order!" Judge Clemmons pounded
his gavel. He glanced at his two colleagues. They nodded and handed him pieces
of paper. He nodded in return. "The Court of Appeals has reached a
verdict. Given the evidence presented before the court on this day, it is the
decision of this panel that the sentence issued is to remain as is. In
addition, prosecution has requested a review of the sentence to determine if it
is, indeed, unduly lenient. The motion to increase the sentence to twenty years
is approved. The prisoner will be transported immediately to the state prison
with eligibility of parole after fifteen. This Court of Appeals is adjourned. Thank
you," Judge Clemmons said to the other two sitting beside him.

"That was short and sweet." Sri
grinned, elbowing May and pointing at Layton. "He's speechless."

"It's a day for miracles. So is Caine."

"Dr. Adul? Would you please step
forward?" Judge Clemmons called, after the other two appellate judges had
left. "I understand that you expressed concern regarding this young
woman's ability to safely care for herself. Her behavior today is substantial
proof that she is in need for supervision, in order to maintain safety for
herself and others. Are the two applicants for guardianship present?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

"Gentlemen, please approach the bench. Bring
Miss Wright with you as well. And please keep her away from the coffee
mess."

Layton and Caine looked at each other, and slowly
walked to stand before the judge. "Gentlemen, you have your work cut out
for you. The acceptance of a guardianship for an adult is a lifelong
responsibility. You do realize that sharing a ward jointly restricts both of
you from ever leaving the state without the other guardian or his permission,
right?"

"Yes, Your Honor. We understand the legal
restrictions," Layton said.

"Have you considered the personal
restrictions? For all intents and purposes, having a ward is very much like being
in a marriage. If you have the desire to get married or have a family, May must
be the first consideration. Your significant other will have to face that fact,
and be supportive."

"We fully understand and accept that as
well."

"I'm asking this question and I want an
honest answer. May? Come closer, please." The judge waited until May stood
between the two men, before he leaned forward to speak to them in a low voice.
"You are aware that I was the one who approved the order of protection for
her, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"You are also aware that I have knowledge of
your lifestyle preferences?"

"Yes, sir." Layton lifted his chin and
stared boldly into the judge's eyes. "You also knew our father, and have
helped him protect other women like May. We have moved ourselves into another
home so that the lake house can be used solely to continue our father's
work."

Larry drummed his fingers on the bench. "You
still are a stubborn, pig-headed mule, aren't you, Layton?

"If you are asking me whether I've changed
since the last time you called me something similar, then no, sir, I have
not." Layton suppressed a smile.

"Do you both love this girl?"

"With all our hearts," Layton answered
back. Caine nodded.

"May? Do you love these men?"

"They are everything to me, Judge Larry. I
couldn't live a day without them."

He smiled at her address. "I see. So are you
telling me that if I force you to separate from them, you would be hurt?"

"I just fried that guy's balls for lying
about me. There is a lot more from where that came from, and it sure as hell
isn't very pretty."

"Maybelle!" Layton and Caine scolded.

The judge drew his brows into a furrow as he
looked back and forth between the three. "This is very unorthodox but,
like you always say, Layton, we have our own form of justice in Texas. Layton
and Caine Marshall? Do you promise to honor, respect and care for Maybelle, in
sickness and in health, while assuming the role of her permanent guardians and
safe-keepers?"