Hurricane Trial

TRIAL DAY- COURTHOUSE WAITING AREA, 8:30 AM-
 

"Coffee's everyone.." said Jeffrey, our client, who went down the street to the coffee shop and brought back hot steaming tumblers of coffee for everyone...

 

"Oh Thank you Jeffrey, believe it or not, I was getting ready to go... Since Bev and Nelson or Josie and Bree usually go..."said Olivia.

 

"Thanks Jeffrey." I said.

"Nervous? Don't be...We've planned a very aggressive defense."said Beverly...

"And I think I can pick the perfect jury..." said Nelson..

"My contact down at this courthouse told me that Eric Issacs dropped the case and our old pal, ADA 

Bill Swift has taken it up."said Josie.

"Oh he has? Good...At least we are familliar with who we are going up against."said Olivia.

"Jeffrey, If it's any consulation to you...ADA Swift graduated from Law school and failed the bar five times ....He spent the next ten years as a cop and a Homicide Detective before taking it a sixth time and passing the bar....So don't feel bad... I know you can pass the bar on your fourth try...I know you can."said Beverly.

"I feel so much better knowing you guys have faith in me."said Jeffrey.

"It's good to have someone to study with...My soon to be husband and I and two other friends ,studied together and quizzed each other... We all went in and passed it on our first try...You can do it...You've been studying with us and you've had no interruptions from the outside world.."said Bresha.

"I certainly hope so..." said Jeffrey.. "Oh My god, it's my ex-fiance.." said Jeffrey..

"Oh My God!! HER!!!" said Olivia.

"I don't believe it!!" said Beverly....

"OH MY LORD!! GINGER ANDERSON!!" said Josie.

It was Ginger Anderson, the ex-wife of one of our earliest clients...Wallace Anderson....

Wallace Anderson, an old flame of Beverly's....

Seems like we had defended Ginger twice...The first time in the islands on the eve of her wedding.. and another time years later when she was accused of murdering a doctor at the hospital who she was cheating on her husband with... She was divorced and let go from her hospital job...She now worked out of a clinic in Bayside..a Philadelphia Suburb....

She had been engaged to Jeffrey.... He had failed the bar three times and she was through with him...That and their disastrous recent wedding in Jamaica convinced her that he was in her words "not ambitious enough for her and a definite loser."She broke off the entire engagement once they returned from Jamaica.

She walked over to us..

"Olivia...Donnie Ray, Beverly, Nelson, Josie..Hellllo!!!!.......How are you?" she said. 

"Hello Ginger..How are you?" said Olivia.

 

"Hi Ginger." I said.

"Hi." was all Beverly would offer...She despised Ginger, who she called "a big phony."

"Hello Ginger."said Nelson.

"Hello Ginger." said Josie.

Bresha hadn't been with us, the last time we defended Ginger...So she had no opinion or knowledge of our history with her...but I knew Beverly and Josie were going to fill her in..

"Hello!" she said.

"Hi Jeffrey...I see you've gotten yourself in another mess eh?  Unfortunately ,I've been subpoenaed by the Prosecution....but fortunate for you...You've got some great lawyers...They were my lawyers once...

How are you paying for this? Oh yeah, your sister...right?" she said snarkily...

''Don't worry about it alright?" said Jeffrey James.

Actually,,,Samantha had paid us a retainer and had swore us to secrecy....Even he didn't know...Up until now he hadn't thought about how he was going to pay us... We didn't want him to worry and both Olivia and I had wished she hadn't brought it up...

"I'm not worried about it.. Nice seeing you again Olivia, Donnie Ray, Beverly ,Nelson and Josie...Good Luck.!" she said with a phony smile and walked off.

ADA William Swift walked in with Lt. Tragg..

"That guy Eric Issacs dropped the case in my lap, he didn't want to try it. he got cold feet." said William Swift.

"I think he looked at Olivia and Beverly and their record and experience and he decided to back down..It's just as well...I'd rather have a fearless and competant prosecutor trying this case anyway." said Lt. Tragg.

II-

COURTROOM B-9:00 AM-

"DOCKET 101- COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA VS. JEFFREY JAMES, CHARGED WITH SECOND DEGREE MURDER-" said the Bailiff..

We had our favorite Judge, Kelly Anne Mercer...Such a pleasent woman and so knowledgable of the law...Tough but fair to both sides....

"GOOD MORNING!! GOOD MORNING ATTORNEYS AND PERSPECTIVE JURORS!I am Judge Kelly Mercer..I see some familliar faces today.Welcome to my courtroom....Due to courtroom crowding of cases , we are going to bypass a preliminary hearing...We know that a crime, a henious crime has been committed so we are going to go straight to trial.. I expect, some of you are tired of hearing this...but it is what it is..We are  once again, trying to wind down our case load.. We will have Jury selection today.. Trial could begin tomorrow morning if we seat a jury today.." said Judge Mercer... "We will start today with introductions.." she said.

"Representing the Commonwealth, Assistant District Attorney William Swift your honor." said Bill Swift.

 

" Olivia Bennett-Alexander, Lead Attorney for the defense your honor."said Olivia.

"Mrs. Beverly West-East, Attorney for the Defense your honor." said Beverly.

"Nelson East, Attorney for the Defense." said Nelson.

" Mrs.Josephine Boyd, Attorney for the defense your honor." said Josie.

"Mrs. Bresha Billips, Attorney for the Defense."said Bresha.

I sat with our client, Jeffrey James..All of a sudden, the weight of his possible future came down on him.. He looked very frightened.

He took a gulp and stared straight ahead....

"Excellent! We can now begin with jury selection." she said.

William Swift had been an ADA now for close to a year...He had won his last 37 cases....He was on a roll and doing well..He had learned a thing or two about Trial Science and Jury selection.....He had taken some night classes at Temple University recently.He had some well thought out questions prepared...

He was much better prepared than the last time we had done battle with him..

Nelson still had the slight advantage...He had been at this longer. Our technology and my brilliant run down of each of the jurors, the way they voted in elections, their jobs, their education level, et al...Gave us the slight edge... We knew it all going in..

Bresha and  Josie, his little understudies , Protoge's if you will, both were helping him today...They sat behind their laptops and whispered certain things they had talked about into his ear.. He smiled.

"They're good, they know their stuff." said Jeffrey, feeling a little better.

''He's our ace when it comes to jury selection. And the girls are getting to be just as good" I said, Speaking of Josie and Bresha. I felt like I had said this all before..I probably had to one client after another..

''Look at my baby!" said Beverly...

"He is killing it." agreed Olivia.

Nelson got a 9-3 split, going his way...Not as good as the last time we clashed with him when it was 10-2, but still a very good outing...

 

William Swift looked perplexed...This young buck had gotten the best of him two times ...He'd only done slightly better...but it was what it was.

"OUTSTANDING!!! We have a jury.."said Judge Mercer...Trial will begin promptly tomorrow  morning at 9:00 AM, Jurors, Attorneys  Be on time and Be ready for trial." said Judge Kelly Ann Mercer.."You are dismissed." she said, striking her gavel.

It had been quite a  day...We had picked a jury and prepared to take on yet another trial...That night ,Olivia and I were home and relaxing in our bedroom..

"This was some day wasn't it Donnie Ray?" asked Olivia...

"Yeah...andddddd, it's about to get better...At least mine is.." said Donnie Ray.

"Ouuuuuu you are so horny....For you I guess it is...Me too! " she said.

"Yes it is...Olivia , you are the best I ever had.." I said, laughing.

"Myyyyyyy goodness..I must admit I am flattered, you really know how to make my panties drop.." said Olivia.

"It's a gift." I joked

"You're a gift ....to me.."said Olivia.

''Now I'm flattered." I said in between kisses.

 

"Awwwwwww...." she said..

We continued to kiss, she helped me undress.....

"Oh My godddd look at youuuuuu...OUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she exclaimed...and stroked me gently..

I slowly unhooked her bra and  slipped her panties down...

"Myyyyyyyy wordd...young lady, what you wear under your clothes is simply scandalous.." I said in a fake English accent..

"You are so crazy Donny Ray. but these aren't new...glad you like them though..."laughed Olivia.

I lifted her up and entered her slowly...

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM  I like everything about youuuuuu" I moaned..

"I love to hear you moan.." she whispered in my ear.. "I love that I make you moan." she added..

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" was all I could get out..

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM SWEET HUSBAND....OUUUUUUUU!" Olivia cooed.

She  moved up and down on me....driving me to near delirium...

"OH MY GODDDDDDDDDD!!! WOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU DONNIE RAY!!" she moaned.

And rode me cowgirl girl style on top of the bed..

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM....UMMMMMMMMMMM...UMMMMMMMMMMM!" I moaned.

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU LAWWWWWWWWWD!

OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she cooed..

I flipped her over and entered her slowly, softly....

"UMMMMMMPH." I moaned.

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU" cooed Olivia, her petite body trembling something crazy, her head turning from side to side and tears running down the side of her face..

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU..WOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she cried out.

"ENJOY YOUR DAY DONNIE RAY...OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she yelled out...

"I DIDDDDDDDDDD!!!" I roared.

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM I'M ENJOYING THIS NIGHT....OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" she screamed as I humped her over the bed...

"UMMMMM I'm enjoying this moment!" I moaned..

"OUUUUUUUUUUUU I AM TOOO!" she cooed...

For the next NINE TO TEN HOURS....Olivia and I were in total bliss.

We rested peacefully under a nice harvest moon...It was the calm before the storm...

Like wise downstairs..Beverly and Nelson were making a night of it..

"Come here, let's do the Nasssty!!" whispered Beverly, softly to Nelson..

Nelson already out of his clothes hugged Beverly and squeezed her...

They kissed slowly , softly....

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU WITH PLEASURE!" said Nelson..

''OUUUUUUUU YOU ARE SOOO NASTY! WITH YOUR BIG OLE HARD SELF." said Beverly.

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU HUSBAND!LOOK AT YOUUUU!! OUUUUUU!" moaned Beverly.....

"HONEY BUNNNNN!" said Nelson.

Nelson slowly slipped her panties down and off..

"OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU, NELSON!!!!!!!!!" Beverly said..

"OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MY GODDDDD!BEVERLY...."he exclaimed.

Beverly giggled... "Don't act like you're just seeing these...I've had this bra and these panties forever."she said..

He lifted her petite body up and entered her slowly and gently... bringing her to a quick orgasm...She wrapped her arms around him and spread her legs even wider..Nelson was losing his mind....

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM..OHHHH MY GODDDDDDD BEVERLYYYYYY!" he moaned.

Once more, he placed her on the bathroom sink, spread her legs and entered her again, slowly and softly...She held him for dear life , while her body trembled.. and sweat and tears ran down the side of her face,,she couldn't believe she was having another orgasm..She kissed him softly....They finally made it to the bed,

He flipped her over and entered her slowly, softly, she stared at him in pure amazement...his size, his girth, and yet his gentleness with her...it led her to have a deep and intense orgasm that brought her to tears..

Beverly was so soft, so warm, smelled so good...She was driving Nelson crazy......He likewise was driving her crazy....causing her to have another deep and intense orgasm..

OUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU HUSBAND!" moaned Beverly.....

"HONEY BUNNNNN!" said Nelson.

"UMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!" she moaned loudly....

 For the next NINE TO TEN HOURS....Beverly  and Nelson were in total bliss...Making sweet ,sweet love. Neither could get enough of the other...Beverly stared in Nelson's eyes with amazement at his stamina...while her body trembled something fierce.

Beverly ended her night ,sleeping on top of her husband, who was already snoring loud...She smiled..

He had earned it tonight..

It was a beautiful night.

III-

COURTROOM D- 9:00 AM THE NEXT DAY-

The Trial of Jeffrey James began for the Murder of Travel Agent Sylvester "SLY" Gibbons, a travel agent known to be somewhat of a grifter...

He began the story of the events that lead up to the murder..

"They planned a wedding, the defendent and his fiance, who is here with us...

"A Destination Wedding if you will in Jamaica , a few weeks ago at the start of Hurricane Season...They invited 125 people,. a Caterer and a Minister...Of the 125 people they invited...Only 25 showed up...That included the preacher and the caterers..so that made 19 guests actually...

The sun went down shortly before the ceremony began and the wind began blowing fiercely...then it began to rain...and I mean rain.." he said.

By now the Jury and the spectators in the guest section were hysterical with laughter.. He continued.

People were evacuating the town....They failed to check the weather warnings..

The Roof of the hall they were having the wedding blew completely off...The entire wedding party was soaked....They had to run for their lives...

Luckily, they all managed to charter a boat and make it to Miami..  They're back in Philly now.. Still unmarried.  His Fiance has left him, called off the wedding and my brother was stuck with the bag.. He paid the caterer and the minister...but apparently he was incensed at the travel agent who sold them on this goofy destination wedding in the first place.."he said.

The jurors and the guests were laughing so hard...

Judge Kelly Anne banged her gavel and demanded order in the courtroom...

Even Lt. Tragg was doubled over in laughter....

He called his former fiance who testified that she said from the beginning that he shouldn't have taken the deal with Sly Gibbons and that she knew he was a con-man, a chisler..and that after the fiasco, she realized her fiance was "Not a serious guy ." and so she made the decision to break up with him...

"That's a lie...Gibbons was her idea... Her girlfriend's...I never wanted him....That girlfriend didn't even come to the wedding.."protested Jeffrey.

"Shhhhhhhh, don't worry...Beverly is going to get her." said Olivia.

On cross, Beverly smiled and talked softly....

"Ginger...You testified that your fiance chose to use Travel Agent, Sly Gibbons...but it was in fact you wasn't it?  You didn't exactly tell the truth did you?  And before you perjure yourself again... I have this young woman here in court...Stand up Glenda Williams." said Beverly...

A young Black woman stood up...she looked embarrassed.

"Ms. Williams is prepared to testify that she told you to use Sly Gibbons...because Sly Gibbons was her mother's boyfriend... It was you that chose him...wasn't it?" asked Beverly, smiling sweetly...

"YES!" said Ginger....with tears welling up in her eyes..

"Ginger, your parents are here and they are prepared to testify that they told you not only not to use Sly Gibbons, because they knew of his reputation...but that you all had a big argument and they did  not attend your wedding...Neither did nearly 100 other people who are here and prepared to testify that they knew the weather was going to be bad and they told you it was going to be bad and you all insisted on going on withe the wedding. Isn't that true?" asked Olivia, again speaking softly, almost motherly..

"YESSSSSS!" said Ginger in tears....

They had exposed her as a liar and ruined William Swift's case....

William Swift was incensed... Just that quick they had ruined the case he was trying to build...He argued that Jeffrey James was found at the scene by the police.

Nelson argued that Mr. Gibbons was dead when he arrived and that he called the police...Showing the police log and playing the recording...

He presented the gun which had no fingerprints on it at all and was a throwdown gun...a street gun registered to no one that had probably been used by several people...Making this look like a professional hit..not the work of an enraged customer.

William Swift argued speculation..

Josie and Bresha  paraded 25 people , who all said that they had been hoodwinked and fleeced by the murder victim Sly Gibbons in he past....

William Swift argued that they had nothing to do with the murder and the motive for murder... He hammered this argument home and Two days later, closed his case.

''Now it's our turn."said Olivia....We had done real damage to his argument and for the most part , the jury found this whole affair funny and stopped short of believing Jeffrey James murdered anybody, but we had to be sure.

Olivia's opening statement was that our client was indeed incensed about the trip Sly Gibbons had booked for them, knowing full well it was hurricane season and that this was a bad time and place to book a trip..She stated that her client had had to pay the caterer..despite the fact that no one got to eat and the food had been ruined by the storm... He had to pay the Minister, even though they hadn't been married.  The Bride to be 's parents refused to pay for anything..They were among the 100 invitees who never showed up...

She said that he refused to pay the balance which Sly Gibbons demanded ,pending a lawsuit..After much arguing..hey agreed to meet on that fateful morning...Only when our client arrived...Somebody had beaten him there and shot and killed Sly Gibbons and left him there dead...

Olivia pointed out that our client could have run, but instead...He called the police and waited until they arrived ,only to be arrested and charged with the murder....Again she said this was a case of a rush to judgement.

Out of respect for Judge Kelly Anne, she stopped short of blaming Lt. Tragg by name...

Nelson and Bresha paraded 25 Charactor witnesses who attested to Jeffrey's sterling charactor...

Beverly and Josie once again paraded 25 more witnesses who were defrauded by Sly Gibbons and a few who had taken him to court for his bad business practices...

Despite William Swift's numerous objections and arguments of relevance-

Beverly, Nelson and Josie were arguing, citing laws chapter and verse from like trials and predicates

to counteract his arguments...

Giving Judge Kelly Anne no choice but to rule in our favor. she loved how disciplined and how well versed in the law Olivia's lawyers were.

Olivia argued that on the last day of his life...Sly Gibbons received two 15 minute calls from a blocked number.. People who were close to him say that he looked "As white as a ghost after the last call...Then he got a call from our client asking for a meeting.. He agreed, but asked that he come early because he was planning to leave early that day...

Unfortunately he didn't leave early enough.

William Swift argued that none of what we had said meant a thing...That Jeffrey James was angry, maybe justifiably and that he killed Sly Gibbons...and that was that...

With this, the case went to the jury...

Out in the waiting area..

"No Matter what happens...You guys gave me the best defense youse could...I'm good with whatever happens." said Jeffrey.

I was frustrated that I hadn't been able to find a suspect.... The Street Cam in the area was busted and 

didn't pick up anybody entering his storefront...And the Business Cam from across the street got only a hazy composite...Nothing solid.. I went through his recent client list, but every last one of them had a solid alibi... He owed some gamblers some money, but all of them, Three to be exact had apparently left town...It was frustrating...I needed more time. 

Olivia had said..."All we have to do is present reasonable doubt that Jeffrey did not do this..We don't have to catch the killer."

Beverly smiled. "I was glad I was able to catch Ginger Anderson in a pack of lies.. That Phony witch."

"Gee Babe, Tell us how you really feel."said Nelson ,managing a smile.   "I think the jury felt sorry for Jeffrey and I think when they weren't laughing, they were sympathizing with him...So much that if they thought he did do this , they might still find him not guilty."said Nelson.

"Well that's a good way to look at it...I hope you're right."said Josie.

"Yeah...I hope you're right." said Bresha.

Lt. Tragg was talking to William Swift..

"Billy they had nothin...I think you knocked it out the ball park...All of their fancy verbiage...didn't get them anywhere.. This is a smart jury..."said Lt. Tragg.

"I don't know...They destroyed my key witness...Caught her in several lies and they seemed to counter my every argument.. You know the murder victim wasn't the most well liked guy...He had a lot of enemies and they did a good job of puttin the spotlight on a lot of people...I don't know."said William Swift, who wasn't so sure he had hit a home run.

"THE JURY IS BACK WITH A DECISION FOLKS!" said the Bailiff.

IV-

COURTROOM B- FRIDAY- 11:30 AM-

"Has the jury come to a decision?" asked Judge..

"We have your honor." said the Foreman, trying hard not to laugh...

The Bailiff took the envelope and passed it to Judge Kelly Anne..

She read it and without her face betraying anything..She passed it to the Bailiff...

"Read it." she said softly..

"IN THE MATTER OF COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA VS. JEFFREY JAMES ON THE CHARGE OF SECOND DEGREE MURDER...WE FIND THE DEFENDENT, NOT GUILTY!!" he said.

"DAMN IT!! I KNEW IT!!!   I JUST COULDN'T SELL IT!!! DAMN IT!!!  ARTIE ,YOU GOTTA TAKE MORE TIME WITH THESE ARRESTS...GET BETTER INFORMATION, DO A MORE THOROUGH INVESTIGATION!   GEEEEEZ!" said a disgusted  ADA William Swift, who had once been a Homicide Detective.

Lt. Tragg looked like a man who had swallowed a canary....He couldn't believe we had gotten an acquittal...

Samantha was here...She hugged her younger brother..

"I'm so happy for you...I know you are relieved.." she said.

"I THOUGHT I WAS A GONER, BUT YOU GUYS PULLED IT OUT...THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!" said Jeffrey, who was so relieved to be acquitted and completely free. 

''We told you we were going to get you off...This wasn't one of the easy ones, but we got the job done."said Olivia.

 

"Congratulations Jeffrey." I said.

Olivia and her niece, Beverly leaped up in the air and high fived..

Yelling "WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Lt. Tragg hated those after trial celebrations of theirs.

Nelson laughed and clapped his hands..

"Now Jeffrey, we are going to finish studying for the Bar while you're still with us."said Josie.

"I'm looking forward to doing that."said Jeffrey..

''And we are looking forward to you passing."said Bresha, smiling.

Ginger stood across the room... Jeffrey had been acquitted...She never thought he had killed Sly Gibbons.  He didn't have the courage , she thought. She was furious at Beverly for catching her in a pack of lies...  She was lucky she wasn't charged with Perjury...

The Hurricane Trial was over!

Bruce Greene happened to be there and happened to pass Ginger...

"GA GA GAZOOOOOOOO...VA VA VA VOOOM!" he exclaimed..."Well HELLLLO BABY!" he said,. "I'm Assistant District Attorney Bruce Greene ...I ran for District Attorney recently..." he said.

"REALLY?" said Ginger, giggling like a high school girl....She loved that Bruce was making such a fuss over her...

"WHY DON'T YOU AND I GO HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE AND UH GET BETTER ACQUAINTED?" he said..

"OUUU I'D LOVE THAT!" said Ginger Anderson...

''Well ,Will you look at that?" said Olivia.

"Good He can fixate on someone other than me.."said Samantha..

"Two Ego-centric and superficial narcissists ." said Josie. 

"They're made for each other." said Beverly...

EPILOUGE-

The Murder of Sly Gibbons remains unsolved.....

Jeffrey James took the Bar Exam for the Fourth Time

He not only passed it, but had one of the highest grades in his class.

He was sworn in as an Attorney by Judge Jetty Dukes.

We were all there to congratulate him..

Samantha was there with Eric Issacs...They were holding hands.

"CONGRATULATIONS YOUNG MAN!" said Eric..

"THANK YOU! THANK YOU!" said Jeffrey...I owe my success to my wonderful lawyers and investigator."said Jeffrey,. 

"You Passed the Bar on your own Jeffrey, we just helped."said Olivia.

 

"That's right...You put in the work, the studying." I said.

"It helps that you didn't have Ginger turning your head around ...You were allowed to concentrate."said Beverly., still incensed that Ginger had testified for the prosecution, even though she had little choice in the matter.

"Now that you're an Attorney you can get your life together."said Nelson.

"First thing I'm gonna do is renew my lease, get my apartment back..."said Jeffrey..."And Josie, thank you and your husband and Tony for negotiating on my behalf  and getting my money back from Sly Gibbons estate." said Jeffrey.

''Ahhhh it was nothing."laughed Josie.

"Those guys saw Three Attorneys and they folded like a circus tent."laughed Paris.

'So what are you going to do now that you're an Attorney?" asked Bresha.

"I have an immediate offer at the Public Defenders Office and I'm still teaching at Temple...I'll be alright."said Jeffrey.

"Yeah, you'll be fine."said Tony....

"I'm so happy for you.."said Alfreda.

"Congratulations young man."said Rockland. 

"Vettie this is Assistant District Attorney Eric Issacs...My "friend"  said Samantha.

"Pleased to meet you."said Eric.

 "Pleased to meet you too!" said Yvette, smiling slyly and looking at Samantha, nodding her seal of approval.

"Hey man what's up?" said Gary, who knew him...

"Hey Gary, I didn't know Yvette was your wife?" said Eric.

"For about three years now,"laughed Gary...

"Can't get rid of him!"laughed Yvette, hugging her husband..

"It's always nice to come back here." said Keith Jones.

"Remember how nervous we were the day we took the bar?" said Bee Bee.

"I sure do...but we had studied together in Kahlil's room and quizzed each other...We were more than ready."said Sofia.

''And we all scored high too!" said Kahlil.

"I guess how you guys felt then is how I felt when I passed my Citizenship test." said Jade.

Danny hugged her tight..

"Ahhhh brings back memories..Good Memories...Of passing the Illinois Bar."laughed Virginia, a native Chicagoan who had lived in Philadelphia for nearly twenty years.

"Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm." he moaned, hugging her. 

"I'm happy for him...Took him four tries, but he got it." said Jazzy.
 

"I helped him study for it too, along with Olivia, Beverly, Nelson, Josie and Bresha."said Dabnis proudly.

"You ever think about lecturing Dabnis?" asked Kayla.

"Funny you bring that up....I'll be lecturing at Middleton for a week in the Spring."said Dabnis.

"So will I...You ought to do it Kayla...Those Honorariums are nice in addition to your regular paychecks."said Jazzy..

"Hell I want to lecture..I'm in." said Ray.

"You're so Crazy...but I've lectured at PENN and TEMPLE and she's right...Those Honorarium Checks are the coolest."said Jessica.

"Hmmmmmmmm!" mused Chip.

"I've lectured at PENN and Middleton...She's absolutely right."laughed Karen.

"Just gives em more money to go shopping with."laughed B.L.

"YESSSSSS! "laughed Natalie.

"We can always use the extra money."said David.

"I'm happy for Jeffrey, After four tries, he made it!" said Brooke.

"I had to take it two times myself...I was so nervous the first time...but the second time, I aced it."said Sean.

"I didn't know that." said Brooke.

"Well alls well that ends well." said Zoey.

"Yup!" said her husband, Lem.

"I didn't have any problem passing the bar."said Renee proudly...

''And thanks to you, Olivia, Beverly, Nelson,Josie,Bresha and Dabnis I didn't have any problems either."said Tyrell.

''Same Here...They all helped me too!"said Lee.

"It wasn't that long ago that we were here with you."laughed her boyfriend, Matthew.

"That was sooo long ago for me..." said Nia.

"Girrrrrrrl, like a lifetime."said Olivia.

"Ouuuuuuuuuu who you tellin?" said Yvette, smiling.

"Yesssss."laughed Karen...

Carlos smiled...Out of the corner of his eye he spied Samantha and Eric.

They were kissing over in a corner.

A Happy Ending for all involved.

FOR SASHA C.