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- 01/16/2022
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Timothy - 76. Chapter 76
Two days later, Dad called. “I think you may have started a ball rolling downhill. The headlines in today’s paper have started a riot.”
“Dad, what was the headline?”
“District Attorney’s office refuses to handle gay man’s injustice. There is a call for his resignation and an article about the rape of a man, and I’ll bring a copy when we come up.”
“Bring several copies.”
“Stephen, let’s call Rich.”
“And we need to call Tom.”
“Let’s wait until we get a copy of the newspaper. I’ll send him a copy.”
Sitting together on the sofa in the basement, I called Rich.
“Rich, what have you done? My father called and said the town is in an uproar over your article.”
“After you left to go and see Judge Howard, I went to City Hall. I wanted to follow up on what you said about the DA not taking Tom’s case. I met with Ms. Wiess. The DA was too busy to see me. I asked Ms. Wiess about your meeting. She wanted to know how I found out about it, and I told her you told me because you thought she was biased. She got angry, and I told her if she didn’t cooperate with me, she could read the story in the newspaper. She got up and left the room. I waited about 10 minutes and left. “
“And you wrote a story about the DA being anti-gay.”
“Yes, he was elected to represent everyone and not just those who are not gay. Suppose he starts to be selective, then who knows who will be next. Maybe he won’t prosecute someone because the plaintive doesn’t speak English or the color of their skin isn’t white, or their eyes are blue.”
I had to think about what Rich said, and now I needed to read his article. “Stephen, can you see if we can scan for Rich’s article. From what he told me, his article could cause a riot.” Dad was right; Rich had forced the citizens to face up to their prejudices. I suspect there will be two sides, as there are always two sides.
“Tim, I’m not able to pick up anything except the article in one of the national newspapers, Prejudice in the South. I think this might be Rich’s article.”
“Print it, and I might be able to use it.”
Friday, Mom and Dad arrived for our visit with Ann Marie. Dad had copies of the newspapers for the last seven days. I looked at Stephen, he smiled, and I knew we would make sure the DA would have a change of heart.
Dinner with Ann Marie went well. She was a chatterbox. I knew her time at the hospital was about over. What I didn’t know came as a surprise several weeks later.
Saturday and Sunday were family time. I noticed Mom didn’t join in any discussions concerning Rich’s article. Dad mentioned that there is a petition being circulated to recall the DA. I wonder if Ms. Wiess shouldn’t be the one who should resign her position.
“Dad, Stephen, and I will be going home with you. I need to talk to Rich and see Judge Howard. Maybe I can help deescalate the anger that Rich’s article has caused.
That night in bed, “Stephen, something is bothering my mom. She was quiet today when we were discussing Rich’s article.”
“Do you think she is afraid that everything involving Ann Marie will be in the papers?”
“Maybe, or Bruce might say something. I don’t know what Mom said to him when she was his patient. If we successfully bring him back to stand trial, he may try to use blackmail on Mom to get her to her me to drop my lawsuit. The DA’s office will handle Tom’s case.
Monday morning, Mom was up early. She must have been anxious to go home. By the time Stephen and I came down, he had the table set and a stack of buttered toast on the table. I soon as we sat down, she set a platter of bacon on the table and a bowl of scrambled eggs.
“There is orange juice in the refrigerator, and you can get your coffee.” She said this as she set a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice in front of Dad. She must have eaten earlier as she took their suitcase to their car.
“Mom is in a hurry to get home.”
“Yes, something is bothering her. She didn’t sleep well last night.”
“As soon as you’re finished eating, you can leave. Stephen and I will clean up. We’ll see you at the hospital.”
I was glad Dad took his time to enjoy his breakfast, and he even had a second cup of coffee, and then he had to make a bathroom stop. I wasn’t sure if he was prolonging his departure on purpose or didn’t want to be rushed.
Finally, he was ready to leave, and I could see Mom talking as soon as he got into the car.
I looked at Stephen, “Want to bet Dad is getting an ear beating because he took his time at breakfast?”
“No, why was she in such a hurry to go home? I think she wanted to leave last night.”
“She probably would have had Dad drive home last night, except we have to meet with Ann Marie this morning. I don’t know what is bothering her. Maybe we will find out when we see them later.”
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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