John Henry

You mean you don't follow through? 🤔

Definitely. We're nearing the finish line, and this can make or break Calvin's case.

There are certainly angles Clarke will go after, which may delay the next chapter (along with my coming dentist appointment).

“Mr. Parker, how many more witnesses do you have left?” Judge Arthur asked. “Two officially, including my client, and I plan to recall Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, so a total of four.” “Mr. Clarke, do you plan to recall any witnesses?” “No, Your Honor.” “Very well,” the judge said, taking some notes, “Mr. Parker, please call your next witness.” “The Respondent wishes to call Mr. Diego Padilla to the stand.” Diego stood and made his way to the stand, trying to calm his nerv

Agreed. I specifically asked the the physician assistant to not look for confirmation bias but she did anyway. She wouldn't even properly look at the marks on my arm and just drew her conclusions, I think, to rush me out the door. Lessoned learned, though, and I'm going to keep my eye out for her next time I have to go to that clinic.

This is the second antiseizure medication I've been on and turned out to be allergic to, despite not being epileptic. The next time a doctor suggests being on such a medication, I'll probably decline.

I think I lucked out with my appointment. I didn't tell them it was an emergency, but I think they're connected to my new doctor's office and clinic, which makes the whole thing so much easier.

Thank you, @Lee Wilson. I felt off while writing and couldn't concentrate enough to know whether the rhythm was the same or not. It took me till 11pm (PST) to finally edit and get this chapter ready for release at 7am (PST) this morning. The brain fog is lifting, especially now that I'm getting some decent sleep and no longer on any prescription meds.

As for David, he is my gif spirit animal. There is gif for almost every reaction I have (Snorlax is my actual spirit animal, and my life goals). As for the apple, why would I want to keep the good doc away? 😉

Thank you, @drsawzall. I felt it was needed, and also, couldn't mentally handle another courtroom scene, despite Diego, Calvin and Ashley still needing to be called by Billy. I also wanted to give Billy a chance to say something to Bryan about his behavior that might not have been said at the time I was working on this chapter. Billy needed to bring the hammer down, so to speak, while also showing he wasn't trying to be an ass about things. I like to think that Billy was glad that Calvin was hit in the face, but knew he couldn't encourage that sort of behavior. I'm sure most of what Caleb said, we've all felt at one time or another (I know I have), and it seemed to just nature come with the conversation. Caleb has had a very rough time, especially without Bryan around to protect him. Bryan has been a central figure of this story since day one, and I wanted to make sure that Caleb wasn't left behind, even if it's a bit depressing. I agree that the conversations between the dads and sons need to be more than just flippant or casual, and I don't see the dads dropping the ball in the future...provided things work out in their favor. As for Ashley, she's based on the worst of the real Calvin's girlfriends and ex-wife. They all have this blind faith that he's completely honest has been the victim of life, which he loves to tell. He's a conman through and through, and like most sociopaths, he gets his victims to believe him despite all the evidence provided. Our issues stemmed from me not trusting him completely and questioning his motives a lot. He loathes people who just won't take him at his word, even when he's flat out lying to their face. He'll have fits until the other person gives up, which I typically didn't (having a younger brother whom I verbally competed for last word with, was a big help in this regard). The downside is that he would find your insecurities and manipulate them, and that's what he does to all his victims. Thanks for the advice, dear doc, and I'll gladly take it. 🥰

It felt off because rhythmically because I just couldn't concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time. I wanted to stay ahead and do more writing while on vacation, but the medicine and pain just messed me up too much to focus, so now, I'm back to rushing out chapters. As for me being on "something" every chapters, I could only wish. Lol As for your theory about the slap on the wrist, it is interesting, and there aren't many people who didn't want to hit the real Calvin (myself included), so it would make a lot of sense here; however, it was really just good arguing on Billy's side, and I'm sure Mr. Clarke didn't object (probably secretly glad Calvin got hit), though he wouldn't have much of a say on the matter, technically. Yes, I wanted people to think they were plastic until that moment happened. There is another moment in the next chapter that does clarify it for those who might not have picked it up in this chapter.

You're welcome, @Anton_Cloche. There were many times when I came close to physically assaulting the real Calvin, so I wanted to give at least one of the fictional characters the opportunity I couldn't do in real life. As in real life, too, there would have to be consequences for such actions, and we'll see how Bryan handles his. There are still plenty of plot threads to be sorted out for sure. I'm done with the prescription meds as of yesterday morning, and aside from feeling exhausted from all this crap, I'm doing a lot better. I have to wait about two weeks till my dentist appointment, so we'll have to play things by ear with that as well. *HUGS*

I agree on all accounts. Well, see how Bryan and Caleb rebound now that their parts in the trial are over and the bullying has been brought into the light.

Thank you, @JohnnyC. There aren't that many comedies, which makes me feel bad, if the others are actual, legit comedies. I am glad to be in the Top 5 General Fiction though, since that's a bigger category. I suspect that having four chapters in a row, along with the rest of the weekly chapters helped. As for the story itself, I wasn't in the mindset to be able to write another courtroom scene, so this was a nice break from all that and glad it was well received.

Someone roused the masses.

Nobody was impressed with the melodramatics Ashley performed as an ambulance took Calvin away. Yes, he was bleeding, after being struck in the face with a large glass of water, but the way she acted, Calvin's eyeball was hanging from its socket. “He'll be fine,” Billy sighed, as they watched the spectacle from the parking lot. “Looks like it's only a scratch above his eye.” Once the ambulance pulled away, Billy turned to Bryan and said, “Your community service is mandatory. You will do

5am is an ungodly hour to ever wake up, even if it's important....

At least he's not in denial anymore....

I guess that explains why you're one of the first people to comment on my chapters.

I've been known to stay awake till 7am PST to see in anyone is reading my story after a submission...because I have no life....

I check whenever I get a notification...or stalk my own stories just after submission to see if anyone is still reading my trash....