21

Graham Birch

Seeing the court trial felt so... strange. I have seen court scenes in movies and TV shows. But that felt all too real. It was like I was in those movies and TV shows.

Spencer felt a little embarrassed after the trial. He admitted that he was worried that I would see him in a different light. But I didn't mind it too much. It was something that happened before we met.

And besides, I now have him to myself. No one is touching him. Only me, with permission of course.

Spencer ended up going to Amelda's trial in support. He told me when he came back that Fergus looked tired.

Then it was time for the second trial. I wore the same shirt, which Spencer washed and ironed for me. However, when we got there, the courtroom was already full. I had to sit in the back, which means I couldn't be close to Spencer.

The trial began. There were a bunch of legalese used and I couldn't understand some of the words. But I was able to pick up 'testimony' and 'witness'.

A different man went up onto the stand.

"Please state your name." Bertie said.

"Alfonso Jacaranda." He replied.

"You work as a data analyst and head of your department. Which means that you've had to report to Spencer on many occasions, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Did you notice anything particular about their relationship at any point?" Bertie asked.

Alfonso leaned back. He definitely had some relaxation to him. "I'm very keen with small details, per my job. So obviously I noticed them both getting chummy with one another."

"But something changed. Could you tell me what happened on the 23rd of November, please?"

"Yes. It was the company potluck. I excused myself to go to the bathroom. That's when I heard the two of them, uh..." He trailed off.

"I understand. Did it sound nonconsensual to you?" Bertie asked.

"That's the tricky part. I did hear Spencer sound hesitant. And Fergus sounded a bit too pushy."

Fergus' lawyer objected. The judge sustained his pleas.

"At some point, did you feel their relationship start to change?" Bertie asked.

"Yes. I noticed after that day that Spencer looked upset. Whenever Fergus appeared from behind him, he jumped in fright. I also noticed Spencer wearing clothes to cover his skin. And anyone would tell you that Spencer and turtlenecks go together like oil and water."

"Relevancy!" Logan shouted.

"Overruled." The judge replied.

"Would you say that Spencer was uncomfortable in that position? Was he possibly being taken advantage of?" Bertie asked.

Alfonso nodded. "I'm sure. When I volunteered at a shelter for DV victims, there were certain signs they displayed, such as paranoia and keeping to themselves. Spencer displayed all of these qualities in only a few days."

Bertie turned to the jury. "It's clear as day that my client was taken advantage of. And his boss used his position to force my client into submitting to him. And if you don't believe Mr. Jacaranda's testimony, well then, I got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you."

He returned to his seat with swagger. Honestly, I could see some of the female jury members blushing as they watched Bertie.

Logan then stood up and approached the witness stand.

"Alfonso. Part of your job in data is looking at small details. That is what you said, right?"

"Roll the tape, I guess." Alfonso replied.

"So how come, noticing all these details, you never approached Spencer and offered him help? As you said, you have seen these types of victims before. Surely you saw the signs being written."

Alfonso scoffed. "Seriously? You're blaming me, a bystander, instead of the man committing the actual crimes!"

"Allegedly." Logan retorted.

I tried to sit up in my seat. Spencer had his head down. I wasn't sure if he was looking. But I knew he was paying attention. I wish he'd turn around and see me.

"I had hoped that Spencer would probably go to HR or speak out. Afterall, it's hard to get victims to acknowledge that they're victims. But then the incident in Reno happened."

"Did you ever go to HR to file a complaint?" Logan asked.

"I tried. But the HR lady is a cousin of Fergus, so you can imagine how that went."

"There is no record of you ever attempting to file a complaint." Logan said.

"Really? Well, check the paper shredder. Give me a few days and I'm sure I can assemble something." Alfonso replied.

"Which means that your testimony is built on your word. And the word of one man is not enough. Your honor, this unus testis, nullus testis clearly shows that the prosecution had no official basis for their argument. It is, once again, built on hearsay."

"Not true, your honor." Bertie said, standing up. He grabbed a remote and showed some pictures of the TV.

Luckily, from the back, there were TVs that showed us what was being displayed. I saw pictures of Spencer, only he was covered in bruises. My heart shattered when I saw one picture where he had a bite mark on his neck.

Rage built inside me. I calmed myself down when I saw Spencer sitting up. He was facing it. And I had to be strong with him.

"These are just some of the injuries my client documented as a result of Fergus' abuse. If you think these were done by someone else, we are happy to do a tooth comparison with the scar." Bertie said.

Logan turned to the TV. He slicked his hair back.

"Those injuries could've been done by anyone. It's clear that Mr. Spencer wasn't exactly the most chaste of all people."

"Objection! We're here to discuss how Fergus abused Spencer, not to discuss his body count." Bertie shouted.

"Warning, Mr. Privet." Judge Lebbeck said.

The trial continued. More emails and text messages were brought up. Both sides argued and made their cases. I already knew that my Spencer was innocent. And it wasn't a bias. Because to me, who could ever hurt such an amazing man?

At some point, the doors opened slowly and two people walked inside. I didn't care for them at first until I heard them whispering to each other.

"Has he gone on stand?" The woman asked.

"I don't think so." The man replied.

I turned and saw the two of them standing near the front doors. They were both older, probably in their fifties. Their clothes were elegant and fitted perfectly. Even the hair and their heads were perfect as not a single strand was out of place.

And yet, they had a strange aura. I felt off around them. I even scooted a bit away.

"Do we have to be here?" The woman asked.

"You think I want to be here? That boy has caused us enough problems already." The man replied.

It was then when I felt like I knew who they were, even though I had never met them.

Both had jet-black hair. The mom had amber eyes while the dads were a dark brown. But their skin was pale. And the dad's face looks exactly like Spencer's.

I knew then that they were Spencer's parents. Spencer hadn't spoken much about his family. From the bits of information he told me, I knew he wasn't on good terms with them. And I think he alluded to that they sided with Fergus.

I knew I was glaring at them. And the dad turned to me and gave me a stink eye.

"Looks like they let anyone in here." He muttered.

Before I could reply, I turned back to the court and saw what was happening.

On the screen was a photo of me and Spencer kissing right outside the Sweetie Kiwi during our first date.

Then, Logan stood in front of the jury with a smirk.

"As you can see, if Spencer was truly traumatized by my client, then why has he moved on to some country bumpkin?" He asked.

"Objection! Mr. Cypress' current love life has nothing to do with how Fergus manipulated and abused him."

"I'm only pointing out a pattern that Spencer has shown. Which is..." He got a bit closer to Spencer. "That this man can't live without the need for validation. And when my client stopped entertaining him as much, he started to make up a sob story to get people to feel sorry for him."

Logan then leaned closer.

"Isn't that right?" He then said. Spencer lunged forward but was held back. The bailiff stepped in while the judge slammed his gavel. I stood up and tried to move to the aisles to get closer.

"I will have order in my court!" The judge shouted. "Mr. Cypress, keep your anger in control. Mr. Privet, do not try to incite the other parties. As for the photo, I will allow it. But no more nonsense. Not in my courtroom."

When they saw the photo, Spencer's parents turned to me and scowled.

"It's his partner." The dad said.

His mom just looked at me with disdain. I couldn't react or else I'd get in trouble. The two left the courtroom.

The court hearing ended then. I rushed over to the bench and saw Spencer looking down at his lap while his lawyer stood with his assistants nearby.

"Spencer?" I asked.

He looked up with tears in his eyes and hugged me. His arms tightly grasped my shoulders.

"Graham." He sniffled. "Please don't be mad at me."

I patted his back. "I'm not mad at you." I replied.

"Do you see me differently now?" He asked.

I pulled away, looking at his red eyes.

"Yes. Because now I know that you're stronger than I thought." I replied.

He wiped his face with a tissue then kissed me on my cheek.

Bertie placed his hand on Spencer's shoulder. "Listen, the next court hearing, they're going to call you and Fergus to the stand. Do you think you'll be able to do it?"

Spencer turned to me. My hands held his tightly in assurance.

"Yeah, I can do it." He replied.

"Good. Go get something to eat. We'll talk later." He said.

I helped Spencer up and took him out of the courtroom. In the distance, I could spot his parents getting into a car. His dad saw me, having no reaction.

While they drove off, I helped their son and comforted him. Spencer didn't need them. He had me.