The Special Girl Page 19

  Meredith objected strongly as the court erupted into gasps and murmuring. I couldn’t look at my family. I was too mortified. But then I heard someone yelling, “I’ll fucking kill you, you piece of shit!” I realized it was Liam. He was standing up looking at the attorney with a crazed look in his eyes. Two police officers pulled Liam from the bench he was sitting in and dragged him out of the courtroom. The judge had been banging the gavel for some time demanding, “Order, order in the court!” My dad patted Brendan and I could tell he was warning him to stay calm. My mom looked at me and gave me a tight smile and then through tears, she blew me a kiss. I knew this was killing my family.

  The judge spoke to both lawyers in private up close to where he sat. They spoke in whispers and then returned to their seats. When everything settled down, the judge looked at me and said, “Miss McDevitt, we need you to answer the last question asked. Do you need it repeated?” I took a deep breath and fingered the heart on my necklace that Zack gave me. I looked him square in the eyes, “No your honor. I can answer it.” I turned to the smug attorney and said, “The answer is no. I did not ask for Alex to do any of that to me. He has the problem, not me.” The attorney said, “Objection, your honor. Can we please strike the last comment from the record?” The judge said, “Yes. The last comment will be stricken from the record and the jury will disregard that last statement please.”

  The next line of questions involved Zack. He asked me about my relationship with Zack. I felt so violated to have to reveal our private details in court. This was not fair. The attorney was trying to get me to admit I had lied about Alex attacking me because Zack had caught me and Alex together in a bondage sex act. I was so disgusted at the thought that someone might believe such utter nonsense. I denied everything he threw at me. Zack had saved me from this disgusting degenerate. Now they were making Zack look like a bully boyfriend.

  The attorney continued trying to get me to say I liked rough sex, bondage, rape fantasies, anything that would make Alex look innocent. I held my own and denied all the accusations thrown at me. By the time my testimony was finished, I was spent. I felt like I had been beaten to a pulp. The court had let my attacker assault me all over again indirectly through his attorney. He tried his best to make me look like a slut. I regretted ever agreeing to participate in this farce of a trial. I just wanted to get Zack and go home.

  When the defense attorney said he had no more questions for this witness, I nearly fell out of the box I was seated in. I was like a rag doll. I could barely walk. The DA, Meredith helped me out of the small swing door and my dad grabbed me and held me up as he walked out of the courtroom with me followed by my mom and Brendan. When we pushed through the courtroom door, Zack jumped up and his face fell as he took me in. I dropped into his arms and let it all go. I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I cried so hard I could barely breath. Zack picked me up and walked towards the elevator with me in his arms.

  Zack put me in the back seat of my dad’s SUV. Mom and Brendan were there also. Brendan took the keys to my car and told my mom to take Zack and me to the hotel they were staying at. Brendan went to see how my dad was making out getting Liam out of custody from his court outburst. Mom drove the SUV silently as Zack rocked me in his arms in the back seat. When we reached the hotel, Mom valeted the SUV while Zack picked me back up and carried me inside the hotel to my parent’s suite. Zack put me on the couch and sat at one end with my feet in his lap. He removed my shoes and rubbed my feet until I fell asleep.

  Zack

  When Maura’s dad and brothers return to the hotel, I find out what happened in court. Brendan and Liam tell me everything that was said. I cringed at the thought of Maura enduring so much ridicule in front of her family. No wonder she was exhausted. They had battered my girl while I was forced to wait outside.

  Liam had lost his patience and threatened the defense attorney. He may be in some legal trouble. His father got an attorney with the help of the DA’s office to get him through the process today, but he may have to deal with more depending if the attorney wants to press charges. The McDevitt family has sure been through a lot today. I stay with Maura on the couch until she wakes up. Meredith, the DA, came to the room and spoke to Maura’s family while she slept. She expressed her sorrow at the way the defense attorney treated her. She also felt that Maura had handled the questioning well and that the way the defense attorney pushed the questioning may actually work in Maura’s favor. She said the remaining witnesses will definitely pack a punch against the defense.

  When Maura woke, her mother made her eat a sandwich they had bought her. We repeated Meredith’s take on the trial so far. She was subdued but she nodded positively at that news. She asked if her family minded if she went back to the dorms for the night with me. They agreed with anything she wanted. I took the keys to her car and drove us back to our dorm. It was after 10 o’clock by the time we returned. I asked her if she wanted to sleep in her own room with Kylie, but she didn’t. She wanted to stay by my side. I undressed her in my room and slipped one of my tees on her. I held her in my arms in my bed and she fell asleep rather quickly.

  The next morning, I was expected in court, but Maura did not have to go. If she went, she would be required to sit outside the courtroom as I had done the day before. Liam was not allowed in the courtroom anymore. He came to my dorm room and offered to stay with her while I was gone today. Many of the frat brothers and Kylie and Maddie were also due in court today. It would be good for Maura to be with Liam today as she would otherwise be alone, and I didn’t think that would be good for her.

  Maura woke up as I was leaving. She noticed Liam sitting at my desk. I told her I was leaving for court, but Liam would stay with her today. I left the car for them and got a ride with Kylie. Hopefully, she would feel more like herself today. I hoped she would show Liam around campus and maybe get some lunch with him. I didn’t want her to stay in bed and fall into a deeper depression. If anyone would make her get up and shake this off, it would be Liam.

  I was the first witness today. Much like Maura’s testimony, I was able to give the account of how I came to be in Alex’s room and how I pulled him off Maura and beat the shit out of him during the DA’s questioning. When that spineless little shit Alex’s family hired to defend him started asking questions, it all changed. He asked questions such as, “Isn’t it true that you beat up Alex because he was having sex with your girlfriend?” and “Did you and Maura engage in bondage or rape fantasy sex?” and “What do you usually tie Maura up with when you have sex with her?” I literally wanted to kill this guy! I absolutely understood why Liam got arrested. I needed to keep my cool and answer the questions with conviction so there was no doubt that this shit wasn’t real. At the end of the day, I had hoped I made a good enough impression that proved what Alex had done to Maura.

  When I returned to campus, Maura and Liam were sitting in the dining hall talking. I even thought I saw Maura smile a little as Liam talked. Maura noticed me coming and looked apprehensively at me. “How did it go?” she asked. “I think it went well. The same line of questioning was attempted on me. It was humiliating to be asked such disgusting questions about your girlfriend in front of her parents and brother,” I admitted. “Hey, don’t worry about that. My parents are past that. They know what bullshit they are trying to conjure up,” Liam says. “Yeah, well it is still embarrassing,” I offer. Liam nods in agreement.

  “Did anyone else testify today?” Maura asks. “Yes. Kylie and Maddie did. The rest should get their turn tomorrow,” he said. “Everyone asked how you’re holding up. Don’t be surprised if they check on you,” I tell Maura. “A lot of people care about you babe.” Liam smiles and says, “I think I’ll go back to the hotel.” Maura and I drive him back and we stop in to see them. We end up going to dinner with them and then we sleep in my room again that night.

  Liam finds out the next day that his charges have been dismissed. His parents tell him he should go back to school and tell Brendan to go back als
o. They agree but don’t leave before making sure Maura is alright without them. She assures them she is. She has been getting much better emotionally since that first day of the trial. Now that I am done testifying, I stay back at campus with her. We go to our classes and at night her parents come by and take us to dinner and let us know how it is progressing.

  The night after the frat brothers testify, her mother tells us after court ended for the day, Alex’s mother approached Maura’s mother. Mrs. Stanton asked her mother how Maura was doing. She said she was so sorry for what her son had done. She was sure he had done it and apologized for the way Maura was characterized. Mrs. McDevitt was shocked and accepted her apology. We were all shocked to hear this. If his own mother was convinced of his guilt, a jury had to also.

  After a couple more days, both sides rested. The jury started deliberating. After one day, we were told to come back to the courthouse. Alex had agreed to a plea bargain and he would change his plea to guilty and be sentenced to five years and be forbidden from ever contacting Maura again. It was over. Maura and I could move on. Everyone could heal. Alex Stanton would be a distant memory to us, the school and the fraternity.

  Chapter 31

  Maura

  After the trial, things got back to normal. Zack and I spent time with Jason and whatever girl he was with then, Kylie and Blake, Maddie and even Izzy. The Spring brought happiness. Zack made me happy and I gave into it easily. I learned to let the past go and embrace the future. Nothing mattered more than having people to love and support me. I had that ten-fold. Zack, my family, his family, and our friends cared deeply and supported me. Someone could try to hurt me again like Alex had but it wouldn’t break me. I was strong with all that love surrounding me.

  Zack and I took a Spring break vacation in the Bahamas. We spent a week alone sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, jet skiing, and making love. We spent a lot of time laying on the beach together talking. We talked a lot about our future together. We both revealed our expectations to be with each other forever. It seemed natural to be with him always. I can’t imagine my life any other way. We discussed our future children and how we would raise them. We both wanted the same things.

  On our trip we also decided to live together in an off-campus apartment next year. We were practically living together now in Zack’s little room. This made the most sense. Brian and Dana supported the idea. They even offered some extra furniture for us to use. Zack’s mom and David also were supportive. David told Zack he would like to pay the rent as he had been doing with the room and board. Zack fought him on this, but David wanted us to concentrate on schoolwork and grades and not working a low-rate job to pay expenses. He insisted on paying the rent. This would be extremely helpful to us.

  I was nervous to tell my parents, but they were surprisingly understanding. My mom said she wasn’t surprised. My dad said if I were going to live off campus, he would rather I had Zack there to care for and protect me. My family really did love Zack, and they respected our relationship. They recognized the love we felt for each other and embraced it.

  Zack and I spent the summer working at our respective jobs back home. We tried to save a lot of money for our next school year. We found a cute little one-bedroom apartment near campus just before we left for Summer break. It would be available in August, just in time for the Fall semester. With the free furniture from Brian and Dana, we only had a few things to buy. My mom and Ava came up with me in mid-August to get the apartment ready. Zack and his dad had already delivered and set up the furniture from Brian and Dana, a living room set, dining table and chairs and a chest of drawers. A bed was delivered earlier today.

  Mom, Ava and I went shopping at Target and got everything else I needed. We bought dishes, flatware, bedding, towels, a shower curtain, some food staples and things like trash bags and paper towels. My mom also gave me some extra pots and pans she had at home. We put the new stuff away and made the bed with the new linens. Ave folded the towels and put them in the hall closet. I looked around and thought, this is my new home… with Zack. It made me gitty with excitement! My mom noticed my amusement and grabbed me into a hug. “I am so happy for you honey. You have found a good man to share your life with and I wish you both eternal happiness,” she said getting choked up. “But don’t get too distracted with that hunk of a guy and let your grades slip,” she added laughing mischievously. “Mom!” I yelled. Ava poked her head in and asked, “What?” We both said in unison, “Nothing!”

  Zack and I enjoyed our new life in our little apartment. We often had friends over to hang out. Jason would come by and entertain everyone with his singing and guitar playing. My friends came over quite often and some even became smitten with Jason. He had to fight them off. Kylie and Blake were a committed couple. She was totally in love with him and he with her. I was glad she had found love as I had and with a deserving guy. There wasn’t anything Blake wouldn’t do for her and I was very happy for them. Our Junior year was our best yet.

  Epilogue

  Zack

  It was an exceptionally warm day, and I was starting to perspire under my dress pants, shirt and tie. The graduation gown only added to the discomfort as I sat shifting awkwardly in my plastic folding chair listening to the commencement speaker. I guess I will need to dress more like this in the near future, so I better get used to it. Crazy how a tattooed, boot-wearing, motorcycle-riding misfit from high school would be graduating third in my Engineering program. I bet no one from high school, except maybe a teacher or two, would have guessed I would do this well. The academic accolades aside, I managed to get the most beautiful woman to be my girl. Maura is the best part of my life.

  I stretch my neck far to the right and I can see her profile as she sits with the nursing majors. She must feel me staring at her as she fans herself with her program because she lifts her head towards me and gives me one of her knockout sexy smiles. Then she gives me a little wave. I smile and wave back. She looks breathtaking in her cap and gown with her flirty little dress underneath. I can’t see her silky-smooth legs from here, but I will after this is all over. I shift back to the speaker as I hear her wrapping up her speech. Everyone claps as she sits back down, and the dean states it is time to present the diplomas.

  This takes another hour as every graduate is announced with their major and any honors. The health sciences are first. This includes Maura. After a short time, I hear “Maura Erin McDevitt Cum Laude Nursing.” I stand up and put my fingers in my mouth to whistle as loud as I can and then clap hard for my girl. Everyone sitting in my section snaps their head towards me and one girl even covers her ears. Her entire family as well as my family and the guys stands and cheers for her also. She beams as she takes her diploma, shakes the Dean’s hand and stops to pose for a picture. She waves excitedly at her fan club as she walks away and looks towards me and winks. My heart is full of pride as she takes her seat again.

  After a few other departments are called, it is time for Engineering. When, “Zackary Thomas Deaton Summa Cum Laude Mechanical Engineering” is announced I hear a booming air horn. I am momentarily startled until I see Max grinning from ear to ear holding the air horn. My family, Maura’s family and the crazy bunch I call my friends are cheering, hooting and hollering. I am elated as I receive my diploma and shake the Dean’s hand. Dean Patterson holds me back a second and says, “Congratulations Mr. Deaton. I look forward to following your very promising career.” He pats me on the back, and I nod as I step forward and head back to my seat. Maura is smiling wide and waving swiftly at me.

  After the ceremony is concluded, we meet up with our parents, her siblings and not only Max, Benny and Aidan but to my surprise Lindsey, Piper and little Lila as well. Everyone congratulates us and she jumps into my arms and I spin her around. “We did it baby!” she exclaims. “We sure did!” I answer. I put her down and quickly pull out the small box I had tucked in my pants pocket all day. I kneel down in front of her and practically everyone we know. Everyone hushes as they realize wha
t I am doing. I open the box to reveal a beautiful, brilliant diamond ring I bought with the sign on bonus I received from my new employer. I look up at Maura’s stunned face and say, “My beautiful girl, I want to be your partner in life, marriage and parenthood. I want to love you and cherish you every day for the rest of my life. Will you please do me the honor of being my wife?” She has tears running down her flawless face as she comes towards me saying, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” I stand quickly and pull her close and give her a soft kiss on her lips. Cheers abound from everyone one the field.