Date: Sun, 6 Oct 2002 20:55:50 GMT
From: patcross@kskc.net
Subject: Pat and John-14

    Pat's recovery was slow and painful, and very often brought him to tears.
When it came time for John to go home, John asked for, and received, permission
to stay with Pat, so that he wouldn't feel so alone. One month into Pat's
assault, John found Pat, crying like a baby. He gently climbed into Pat's bed
and hugged him close.

    Looking into Pat's eyes, John quietly asked, "Baby, what's wrong?" Pat
sniffled, and poured his heart out to his brother, friend, and lover. "Why did
they beat me up, John? Why? What did I do to them?", Pat asked, with a
concerned look on his face. But, both boys knew that John had no answer to
Pat's question.

    It was indeed ironic that the trial against Junior Davis came up after Pat
and John's conversation. Nobody expected the trial to be civil, but there was
always the slightest hope. Right away, the defense attorney, in questioning
Pat, made his first mistake.

     "Pat," the attorney asked, "isn't it true that your parents deliberately
killed themselves after learning that you were a perverted homosexual?"

     "I OBJECT!", thundered the prosecuting attorney. Pat, in tears now,
said "I'd like to answer like, Sir. No, they did NOT kill themselves because I
was gay, not that it is any of your business."

     "Well, then, Pat, how else can you explain my client choosing you as a
target of his attentions?"

     "Sir, I was not the only one Junior bullied. I happened to be one his
favorite victims because with a disability, he thought I couldn't fight back."

     Junior's attorney glared at Pat. "And yet, you DID fight back, on one
occasion, is that true?"

     "Yes, sir. I only did it to stop him, not to injure him. And as I recall,
I got my point across without hurting Junior. He got up and walked away from
that on."

     From that point on, the prosecutor questioned each boy who was with Junior
that day. Unfortunately for them, they all told the same story of helping
Junior plan the trap, laying in wait for Pat, and then jumping him. When Junior
got on the stand, he nailed his own coffin shut.

     "Mr. Davis, why do you dislike Pat Stephens?"

     Junior loudly answered, "Because he's a crip, a fag, and he cost my Daddy
his job!"

     "Is that why you schemed to have him beat up, perhaps even killed. All for
revenge?

     "Yeah, why, not? Sounded like fun!" With a gasp, the courtroom grew
silent. "I'll see counsel in my chambers", said the Judge.

     With the door closed, the three men sat. The Judge looked at the Defense
attoney, saying, "Your client just blew his defense all to hell, bud, and he's
going to pay big." He turned to the Prosecutor, "Let's hear it." "The
prosecutor said, "30 years for Davis, plus 3 mil in punitive damages, 15 years
each for each of the others, plus 25,000 in damages." The defense attorney,
looking whipped, said, "Give me 5 minutes." Before that five minutes was up, he
was back. "They'll take it", he said. The Judge said, "Good, but that money
owed has to be paid TODAY."

    "Be seated, please. Junior Davis, please rise and face me. Based on the
evidence that has been presented before me today, I have no choice but to find
you guilty of the charge of attempted murder. Accordingly, I am sentencing you
to 30 years imprisonment. Additionally, I am imposing $3 million dollars inn
punitive damages for what you have put this boy through. Mr. and Mrs. Davis, a
police officer will escort you to your bank to insure that my order is carried
out TODAY. As for the rest of your boys, each of you are equally guilty, but
I'm giving you a small break in sentencing you to 15 years each, plus $25,000
from each for damages. This court is in recess."

    Quietly, the Stephens drove home, for a home-cooked meal. Once they got
there, Pat asked "Mom, why is there so much hate?" Mrs. Stephens looked at her
son. "Honey, that's a question no parent can answer. If we had all the money in
the world, we STILL couldn't answer it. But, no matter how much hate there is,
you'll always have us to love, and we'll always, always love you." With those
words, the family hugged each other lovingly, and went to eat another fabulous
meal.