Lindsay's Legacy

by Jones, Janice

  Now that was a low blow. He was sure his wife had not done it intentionally, but she just tap-danced all over his guilt button. If he had not talked her into allowing the kids to reunite with Sha’Ron, she might not be in this hospital bed.

  Lindsay realized what she said and how Cody may have interpreted it a second after it came out of her mouth.

  “Cody, baby, I’m sorry. I did not mean to imply that this is in any way your fault. I was simply—”

  Cody cut her off in the middle of her apology. “I already know that, love. I do. You were only trying to convince me that we do need to help Sha’Ron. The Holy Spirit was speaking through you. And I’m going to be obedient. I’m going to represent Sha’Ron.”

  Lindsay closed her eyes as her heart opened and expanded. She received such joy and relief from her husband’s statement. When she again opened her eyes they were brimming with tears. “Thank you, Cody. Thank you, God.”

  “Lindsay, if this is going to work, I’m going to have to go see Tameeka and Francine tonight. I realize it’s late, but I have to get their permission to represent Sha’Ron so I can be with him in court first thing in the morning. I just pray his street smarts made him remember to not say a word until he spoke with an attorney.”

  “Okay. Go, baby. I’m going to rest now.”

  “Good. I’ll call your mom and the kids on my way out to tell them to wait until tomorrow to come back down here.”

  Cody kissed Lindsay’s lips again, then left to take on what was probably going to be the hardest case of both his career and his faith walk.

  “Hey, God never promised it would be easy. He only said He would be with us through it all,” Cody said out loud to himself in the hallway.

  When Cody left the hospital he headed straight to Sha’Ron’s house. He prayed for two things. One, Tameeka was there, and two, that she would actually talk to him when she saw him. Her first thought may be that he was there for some type of revenge. She might very well think the offer to defend Sha’Ron was part of a revenge plot. He prayed and asked God to soften her heart and set this up if this is what He wanted him to do.

  When he arrived, there was a car parked in the driveway and a car in front of the house. Cody had no idea what kind of car Tameeka drove, but he assumed the red Toyota Camry in the driveway was hers.

  It was now after 10:00 P.M. This was not a visitor-friendly hour for people you liked. To have someone you despised show up on your doorstep at this time of night was downright dangerous. Cody, however, was on a mission from his wife and from God. So he got out of the car, walked up the snowy steps onto the snowy porch, and knocked on the door.

  Tameeka and Francine were sitting in the living room of their mother’s house, discussing Sha’Ron’s situation when they heard the knock at the door.

  “Are you expecting someone?” Tameeka asked her sister.

  “No, of course not. Nobody even knows I’m over here except my children. I left them at home. Daiquan is in charge with strict instructions to call me if there’s an emergency and to go next door to Mrs. Langley’s if they must leave the house.”

  Both sisters got up and went to the door together. Tameeka looked through the peephole.

  “Who is it?” Francine whispered as if they were hiding from whoever was on the other side of the door.

  “You will not believe this. White Boy is on the porch,” Tameeka screamed in contrast to her sister’s whisper.

  “Why are you yelling?” Francine asked again softly.

  “Why are you whispering?” Tameeka countered. “This is our house.”

  Before Francine could say another word, Tameeka had snatched open the front door.

  “What the heck are you doing here, especially at this time of night?”

  “Tameeka, why did you open the door? He could be here to hurt us for what Sha’Ron—”

  “Shut up, fool!” Tameeka hushed Francine before she gave White Boy evidence to use against Sha’Ron.

  “Look, ladies, I’m glad you are both here together, and I’m not here to hurt you. I’m actually here to offer my help. I want to represent Sha’Ron in the case against him for shooting my wife.”

  Bitter acid boiled in Cody’s stomach and rose to his throat as he spoke those last words.

  “What! Do you think we’re crazy, White Boy? You think we gon’ let you represent our nephew so you can purposely jack up his case and get him life in prison? If this ain’t the stupidest thing I ever heard. If I wasn’t so mad at your suggestion I would laugh in your face.” Tameeka slammed the door in Cody’s face.

  Cody seriously wanted to walk away from that house for good. He could go back to the hospital right now and tell his wife he tried, but they refused. However, he knew she would send him back and make him convince these two women that he was the best thing that could happen to Sha’Ron right now. So Cody knocked on the door again.

  Tameeka again snatched open the door. “Are you freakin’ kiddin’ me, White Boy? Are you serious?”

  “Tameeka, I’m very serious. This was not my idea at all. It was actually Lindsay’s. She says she knows exactly what Sha’Ron is going through right now because she has worn his shoes ...” Cody then went on to quickly explain Lindsay’s strategy and reason to help Sha’Ron.

  When he was done speaking, both Tameeka and Francine were standing in front of the still closed screen door.

  “You know what, White Boy? If I were some naïve country bumpkin who just hit Detroit a few weeks ago I might believe you and your wife were sincere. You are actually a pretty good pay lawyer. I know you worked a miracle for my brother before you started sleeping with his wife. Then you pulled another Houdini act when you got her that crazy sentence for killing my brother and Rhonda. So, yeah, I know you got mad skills. But I’ll be doggone if we let you use those skills against my nephew.”

  Tameeka was again about to slam the door in Cody’s face, but Francine caught it when it was about halfway closed.

  “Wait, Tameeka. Listen to me now. I heard Cody, and I actually believe him. I believe this incident with the evil witch could have really changed her heart. Look at how she and Keva have become such good friends.”

  “That’s her and Keva. Keva only slept with her boyfriend and had a baby by him. She didn’t sh ... do what Sha’Ron is being accused of doing,” Tameeka said.

  “Okay. That’s true. But think about this. If Cody isn’t sincere we can always fire him and get the case declared a mistrial. The fact that he is who he is will actually work in our favor in this instance.”

  Wow. That was actually a very shrewd point Francine came up with, Cody thought. Perhaps this lady should consider a career in law.

  “Francine what you just said makes a ton of sense because I’m actually thinking that’s the way this is going to have to play out. I can’t believe you are actually falling for this Nay-Nay’s sorry and truly wants to help crap. I ain’t buying it. Now I just want to know how do you think we should sell it to Sha’Ron, Frannie?” Tameeka’s attitude changed from that of distrust to one of calculating and plotting.

  “I think we should tell Sha’Ron the truth. I believe what Cody says is the truth. No attorney worth his salt wants to be kicked off a case. If Cody is trying to scam us, he can be disbarred. I don’t think he’s willing to risk it.”

  Tameeka shook her head at what she perceived to be her sister’s naïveté. “You know what, Frannie? You can believe what you want. I’m only going along with this because this could be good for Sha’Ron either way.” Tameeka then walked away and left Francine standing in the doorway with Cody who was still standing outside in the cold.

  Francine considered letting him in but thought better of it. Tameeka would probably try to hurt him.

  “Cody, it sounds like you will be representing Sha’Ron on this case against him. So what do we do next?”

  Cody was cold but saw no invitation to come inside forthcoming so he made his statement quick.

  “I will meet you and Tameeka downto
wn at the Wayne County Jail first thing in the morning. I need to get in to see Sha’Ron to make sure he doesn’t make any statements to the police.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. Tameeka and I as his guardians have already told the police they are not to question him without an attorney present. But truth be told, I don’t think it was necessary for us to tell the police anything. Sha’Ron has been in a sort of catatonic state since he came home from ... since he came home today. He has not said a word.”

  “Really? Wow. That’s very helpful information. I’ll talk to Sha’Ron tomorrow to get a full assessment of things, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to plead him not guilty on the grounds of temporary insanity.”

  “Well, if that’s what you think is best. Like Tameeka said, you seem to be very good at what you do. So we will give you free rein. But if I get even the slightest indication that you are trying to do my nephew dirty, I will work very hard at making you pay both professionally and personally. See you downtown tomorrow.” With that Francine closed the door.

  When Cody arrived at the hospital the next day, Shyanne’s parents and Keva were in Lindsay’s recovery room. The Kennedys looked like they had both been crying. Keva looked a little more pulled together, but there was a definite sadness in her eyes.

  “Hello, everybody,” Cody said as he entered the room. He went straight to his wife’s bed and kissed her forehead.

  “Cody, is it true? Are you actually going to be the attorney for the boy who shot Nay-Nay?” Mrs. Kennedy asked.

  Cody looked at Lindsay a little surprised she had shared this with the Kennedys.

  “When they arrived asking where you were I told them you were downtown at court,” Lindsay said sheepishly.

  “We assume that Nay is having some sort of strange reaction to her medication, but we figured you would be more sensible than this,” Mr. Kennedy said.

  “Cody, he tried to kill your wife. He tried to take away our other daughter. How can you both be so forgiving?” Mrs. Kennedy added.

  “Mama T, this is what I have to do—what we have to do. This is what God expects of us,” Lindsay responded.

  Keva put in her two cents. “I totally understand what you and Cody are doing, Nay-Nay. I don’t know if I would have the courage and the faith to do it myself under the circumstances, but I am sure proud of you two for being strong enough to do it. I am glad to be able to tell people I know you two.”

  The nurse came into the room just then. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask everyone except the husband to leave. We have to be very cognizant of our patient’s strength. We want to give her a little something to make her sleep for a while. So you all have exactly five minutes. Then you have to leave.” The nurse said her piece, then left the small room.

  “Okay, baby girl, we’re going to leave now, but we’ll be back tomorrow. I just want to say this before we leave. Nay, Cody, this young lady makes a great point. What you two are doing for that child is remarkable. I think I speak for your godfather here when I say we may not agree with you, but we will support you both on this,” Mrs. Kennedy said.

  “Thank you, Mama T, Daddy. Cody and I appreciate your support,” Lindsay replied.

  The Kennedys came and kissed Lindsay’s forehead, then left. Keva then came to stand at Lindsay’s bedside. “I mean it, Nay-Nay. What you are doing can probably be considered miraculous. God is truly going to get the glory from this unselfish act of forgiveness and love.”

  “Thank you, Keva. Thank you for everything.” Lindsay almost cried at Keva’s encouraging words.

  “Thank you, Nay. You have truly allowed me to see Jesus in action. I love you, girl. I’ll see you tomorrow.” Keva kissed Lindsay’s forehead, then left the room.

  “Well, it looks like you’re a hero, baby,” Cody said as he took up the spot Keva vacated. He gently lifted Lindsay’s hand and rubbed his own hand across it.

  Lindsay’s smile was brilliant as she announced, “Cody, I can actually feel you touching my hand. I can’t move my hand or arm, but I can feel the sensation of you rubbing my hand.”

  “That’s great, baby! Do you want me to get the nurse?” Cody asked excitedly.

  “No. I’ll tell her when she comes back. I want you to tell me what happened with Sha’Ron this morning.”

  Cody pulled up to Lindsay’s bed and began recounting what happened.

  “Lindsay, when I saw Sha’Ron today, all the anger I felt for him drained away. All of his tough veneer and bravado were gone. What I saw today was a scared little boy who needed protecting. He looked so pale and helpless. If I had gone there with the intention to kill him, I would not have been able to do it after looking at him.”

  Lindsay allowed the pain in her heart for Sha’Ron to spill from her eyes. Cody got up and got her a Kleenex, then quietly dabbed her leaking eyes. He then finished telling her what happened.

  “Frannie and Tameeka explained to Sha’Ron that I was going to be his lawyer because you wanted me to help him. They told him the story as you told it to me and as I told it to them.”

  Cody then sat back down in the chair as he told the next part. He sat because he knew he would need the chair’s support.

  “Once Frannie, who did most of the talking, finished telling Sha’Ron how you felt, he spoke the first words either of them had heard him say since yesterday. The police officers also informed us that he had still not spoken all night last night either.”

  “Well, what did he say?” Lindsay asked anxiously.

  “He asked, ‘For real? She wants to do that for me?’ It was really quite simple, but it was more about the tone of his voice and his demeanor versus the words he spoke. It was as if he could relate to you having sympathy for him. He really appreciated it. It was kind of like you said yesterday; you have walked in Sha’Ron’s shoes. Today, it was if he felt that he had walked in yours as well.”

  Lindsay blinked her eyes to combat more tears threatening to spill out. Again, Cody got up to wipe her eyes. He stood as he told the end of the story.

  “When we got to court and informed the judge that I would be representing Sha’Ron, she looked over the case file and chuckled out loud at all the names involved. By the time she came to the end, you could almost see the words in total shock run across her forehead.

  “She gave me the normal warnings and cautioned Sha’Ron about allowing me to represent him. She then asked him point-blank if he was sure he wanted me as his attorney. And without hesitation, Sha’Ron said yes. So the judge proceeded. The judge asked how he pleaded, and Sha’Ron said not guilty. I then informed her that I would be seeking an insanity defense. The judge set his bail at $100,000, 10 percent cash. Tawanda and Francine were making preparations to bail him out when I left to come down here. He should actually be at home as we speak.”

  “So now what happens next?” Lindsay asked expectantly.

  “The district attorney will have a psychologist examine Sha’Ron and give a report. I will also have a separate one do the same thing. They will both give a report on Sha’Ron’s state of mind at the time of the shooting.”

  Lindsay asked one final question. “Cody, do you think you can help him? That is what I truly want. I want to help him the way you wanted to help him when we first started this thing.”

  Cody nodded his head, very happy to be able to give his wife such positive news.

  “Lindsay, if you had seen the young man I saw today, you would be as doubtless as I am. We—you, me, and God—will definitely be able to help him. The best thing about this whole thing is he actually wants to be helped... .”

  Epilogue

  “... In conjunction with your plea agreement, this court finds you guilty of assault with intent to do great bodily harm and sentences you to a five-year suspended sentence. You are also placed on probation until the time of your twenty-first birthday. In addition, this court orders you to receive biweekly counseling sessions with a therapist chosen by the court. If you fail to meet any of these conditions,
you will be arrested and ordered to serve the full five years in prison, dating from the time of your arrest. Do you understand these conditions as the court has laid them out before you?” Judge Brandy Oliver asked.

  “Yes, Your Honor. May I please address the court for a moment?” Sha’Ron respectfully petitioned.

  “Yes, Sha’Ron, you may.”

  “Your Honor, I would like to say in front of everyone here today how very grateful I am for this second opportunity I have been given at life. I want to thank all of the people in this courtroom who have shown me love, forgiveness, and support.” Sha’Ron turned to face the court. “You all have been very wonderful examples of Christ and how He forgives us over and over again. I could stand here all day and not be able to fully express how much I appreciate you.”

  In the courtroom was Sha’Ron’s immediate family, which included his aunts, Tameeka and Francine, his sisters, Shauntae and Shauna, and his brothers, Shaun (he requested that the “Li’l” be dropped from his name as his aunt Tameeka suggested) and Kevaun.

  In addition, his new extended family was also in court to offer their support. Keva, who held the rambunctious Shauna, was there. Tawanda was currently in custody awaiting trial on a serious drug possession charge. Shauna now lived with Tawanda’s mom, who allowed the little girl to come to court with the family. Also in attendance were Kevin, Sherrie, the Kennedys, Pastor Adams, and Dr. Hooper.

  All of these people rallied around Sha’Ron during his court proceedings, which initially began with a full-scale trial. The new overzealous district attorney was determined to make a name for himself with the press and the sensationalism this trial provided.

  It made national news when it came out that Cody, a very reputable defense attorney, was going to defend the young man who shot his wife, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. Several national newspapers, magazines, news shows, and talk shows had interviewed and written articles about Sha’Ron and Lindsay. Once enough media attention had been garnered and the DA figured his name had been heard enough times nationwide, he conceded by offering Sha’Ron a plea deal.