Chapter 5 - The Boy Speaks
The entire courtroom fell into an absolute, stunned silence.
Judge Leonard dropped his pen, staring over his glasses at the small boy standing defiantly on the chair.
I frantically whispered, "Toby, please sit down."
Toby refused to move, his small hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.
He clearly said, "I will not sit down, Mom."
Benedict Welch immediately jumped forward, waving his hands in protest.
Welch demanded, "Your Honor, please instruct the mother to control her child."
He added, "This outburst is highly inappropriate for a legal proceeding."
Judge Leonard held up his hand, silencing the arrogant lawyer instantly.
The judge said sternly, "I run this courtroom, Mister Welch, not you."
He turned his attention back to my son, his harsh expression softening just a fraction.
The judge gently told Toby, "Young man, it is not your turn to speak."
Toby replied without hesitation, "If I do not speak now, I will have to go live with a bad man."
I looked over at Russell, expecting to see his usual smug smile.
Instead, my ex-husband looked genuinely panicked, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.
Welch argued loudly, "Your Honor, this boy has clearly been coached by his desperate mother."
He added, "We strongly object to him addressing the court without proper psychological supervision."
Judge Leonard frowned, clearly noticing Russell's sudden, extreme discomfort.
The judge declared, "Objection overruled."
He instructed, "Son, you may step forward to the bench, but I need you to tell me the absolute truth."
Toby hopped down from his chair and began walking bravely down the center aisle.
Russell suddenly leaped out of his seat, abandoning all his polished composure.
Russell roared, "You get back here right now, Toby!"
The courtroom bailiff instantly moved in, resting his heavy hand on his utility belt.
The bailiff warned in a booming voice, "Take one more step, sir, and I will put you in handcuffs."
Russell froze in his tracks, his chest heaving as the courtroom stared at him in shock.
Toby did not even flinch at his father's anger.
He walked right up to the judge's massive desk and pointed directly at his faded navy shirt.
May you like
Toby said loudly, "My dad told the lawyer to make fun of my favorite shirt."
He continued, "But he does not know the real reason why I wear it every single day."
