Chapter 8

The next day, Abby was eating her breakfast, when there was a knock on the door.

"Hi," she said smiling brightly as she opened the door.


"How are you? "asked Carter as he walked into her apartment.


"Well, besides having to testify, I’m doing pretty well." Abby said with a nervous smile. Carter then sat down next to Abby.


"What time do you have to go to court?"


"11am" said Abby softly." John, I just don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have you. I don't want to have to see him again." She nervously played with the ring on her finger.


"Well, you don’t have to worry, because I’m not leaving anytime soon" said Carter as he held Abby tightly.


"I know," replied Abby gently. Abby looked at the time, and saw that it was time to go.


"We better go," said Abby softly.


"Okay, let’s go," said Carter as he took Abby's hand. She squeezed it slightly. Carter shut the door behind them.


***
About 20 minutes later, Abby and Carter walked into the courthouse and Abby come face to face with Brian for the first time since the attack. She sucks in her breath. Carter squeezes her hand.


"I’m here, he can’t hurt you," whispered Carter delicately.


"I know," said Abby softly as they walked into the courtroom. Abby was the first person on the stand, she wasn’t sure if she could do this, she didn’t want to have to remember when Brian beat her up, but she knew she had to. Carter went and sat down, as Abby went to get ready to go on the stand.


***
About 5 minutes later, "All rise, for Judge Simmons. This is the case of Joyce against Brian in the case of assault and battery."


"We call our first witness," said Joyce’s lawyer." Abigail Lockhart," Abby walked up to the stand.


"Do you swear to tell the truth, and nothing but the truth. "I do, sir." Abby nodded taking a deep breath.


"How did you come to know Joyce, and Brian?"


"They were my next-door neighbors," Abby said simply. The lawyer then went over to the jury.


"Is it true that you called police a couple times because of them?" Abby took a sip of her water.


"Yes, I called the police a couple of times, because I could hear them fighting, but she never pressed any charges against him."

Joyce’s lawyer walked to the jury again, "On the night of your attack, is it true that Brian assaulted Joyce."


"Yes, that is true,"


"I have no further questions for Miss. Lockhart." Brian’s lawyer got up from his seat.


"You are an alcoholic, aren’t you? " asked Brian’s lawyer. Abby frowned slightly confused at the question.


"Objection, Your Honor, this has nothing to do with the case," said Joyce’s lawyer as he rose from his seat.


"Sit down," the Judge told him. He then turned to Brian's lawyer. "Does this have something to do with the case?" asked Judge Simmons.


"Yes, it does your honor" said Brian’s lawyer. Abby was silent before she asked the question.


"Yes, I’m a recovering alcoholic."


Brian’s lawyer then went up to the jury," On the night of your attack, you had a few drinks didn’t you. Abby looked at Carter, she didn’t know how to say this to make him less disappointed in her. She took a deep breath and plunged at the question nervously.


"Yes, I had a few drinks," said Abby quietly as she looked up, and saw Carter with a disappointed look on his face, and then he left the courthouse. "What have I done?" thought Abby as she felt tears come to her eyes. She coughed softly.


To be continued


Author’s Note: In this story, Carter didn’t know that Abby started drinking!!!!