May nodded, wincing as Caine pulled her hair. "Auntie Sri promised me that if I went to the trial and testified how much this guy fucked me up, then I would get a happy ending."
"Your end is not going to be happy if you keep talking like that, young lady," Caine scolded.
"I'm not a'scared of you," May grinned.
"It's an appeals court. You might not be allowed to speak."
"I know, but I have to trust in Texas judgment, don't I?"
"True. How are you really feeling about all this?" Layton asked, touching her cheek before perching on the edge of the tub.
"A bit flubbergusted."
"Do you mean flabbergasted?"
"No, Flubbergusted."
"That's a new one. Explain."
"You know, flustered, discombobulated, and disgusted. Flubbergusted."
"Of course, I should have known that," Layton rolled his eyes. "You do know that flubbergusted is not a real word, May."
"It's a perfectly fine word. And it's mine." She lifted her chin stubbornly.
"Of course it is," Caine agreed, patting her shoulder. "All done. Look and see how pretty you are."
May looked in the mirror. Sri had suggested that the men play up May's innocent nature and youth, and have her appear vulnerable and nonintrusive. She wore a knee-length, pale pink dress with dainty white trim, and simple ballet flat shoes with no socks. Her pale blond hair was piled on the top of her head, with delicate tendrils hanging down to frame her face. Her only makeup was watermelon-flavored pink lip gloss.
"She looks like she's twelve," Layton commented. "It kind of creeps me out a little to be seen in public like this. I don't want the judges to think we're perverts. "
"They won't. You know May won't reveal our relationship to anyone, either. We have to trust Sri and whatever scheme she is cooking up."
"Has she said anything to you about it?"
"Nope, not a word. Miss May knows, but she won't tell."
"Maybe she needs to face the tickle monster…" Layton threatened.
"No! Don't you dare." May shook her finger at him as she edged out of his reach.
"We'll have time to play when we get home. Let's swing by and pick up Sri, and then be on our way." Caine said solemnly.
Layton shuffled through his papers as Caine drove to the Wichita Falls County courthouse and the Court of Appeals for the third man involved in May's assault. The criminal's newest defense was a claim of provocation and coercion, stating that May had challenged him to forcefully take her, and that his friends had forced him to perform. There would be three judges, no jury, and allegedly no new witnesses or evidence.
"I wish I knew why that jerk's motion to appeal was granted. What he did was cut and dry," Caine said in a hostile tone.
"He claimed he had been 'traumatized' by his friends and was unable to present the 'truth' of the occurrence." Sri's tone was solemn.
"You're kidding me. Seriously?"
"Yes. I'm warning you that things might turn ugly. We need to convince three judges, not just one, that his actions were just as harmful as his friends'. Layton, you cannot threaten to blow his balls off either. I need you to keep your temper in check, no matter what."
"Will you please tell me what you are cooking up, woman?"
"Just trust me."
"We do, Sri. How's the house coming along?" Caine asked, trying to change the subject.
"We are getting all the rooms and programs in place and will begin accepting applicants in a month. Clara is amazing. How she finds the energy to do everything she does at her age is beyond me."
"Are you sure you can handle all this?" Caine asked. "Some of those girls will be a bit challenging."
"What I can't handle, Clara can. We can always call in the headmasters." Sri chuckled. "I am making certain to include the option of corporal punishment in the contract agreement."
"Wise decision. I'm sure they won't push you once they see you mean business."
"Will I be allowed to come over and meet them?" May asked.
"We'll see. I don't intend to accept anyone with violent tendencies, but I need to keep an eye out. I promised your bossy boys I'd protect you," Sri said, as she gestured to the men in the front seat.
"What have you decided to call the place?" Layton asked.
"Marshall's Home for Girls. I thought your dad would be pleased with that. He's always wanted the safe house to be official."
"I wish we would have known about it sooner and been allowed to make his dream happen," Caine said sadly.
"Yes, but if you did, you would never have met up with me. I would have just been one of many there to you," May said.
"That is true. I guess everything happens for a purpose. You know what?" Caine took a quick exit. "I'm gonna swing by Dairy Queen. Anyone up for some ice cream?"
***
May elbowed Caine after Layton pointed to the seats toward the back of the courtroom. "He looks so mad," she whispered, seating herself.
"He's got a lot at stake here, baby. First and foremost, he wants to get that scumbag off the streets and out of your life. He is also worried about that snake of a defense attorney trying to shred you to pieces because he is more concerned with winning than justice."
"I'm so sorry you guys have to go through this," May said sadly.
"No, baby," Sri whispered from her other side. "We are sorry that you have to go through this. Do you remember what I told you?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. I know the primary judge. He's the one who helped get you settled at the lake house. You remember me telling you about him?"
"Judge Larry?"
"Yes, only we call him Judge Clemmons or Your Honor here. I don't know the other two listening to the argument, but I suspect that they aren't going to buy into the bull any more than Larry will."
"We have to trust in truth, don't we?" May asked, her innocence radiating from her pretty face. "That two-necked bird isn't going to kill itself for a silly piece of fruit, right?"
"Not this time, honey. Larry will make sure of that. Here comes Layton. Don't act like you know him."
Layton approached Sri and pointed to the desk in the front of the room. Caine squeezed May's hand as they watched the woman sit down next to Layton and review some papers.
"You okay, baby?"
"Yes. I just wanted to say I love you to him," May whispered.
Caine kissed her knuckles. "He knows it. Texas justice, remember?"
"Texas justice," May nodded. "And a happily ever after."
"He'll do his best. We still have another thirty minutes before this circus begins, so settle in and get comfortable. It's gonna be a long day."
"Okay," May said, sitting back with a pout. After several minutes, she yawned.
"Are you tired, baby doll?" Caine whispered in May's ear.
"I didn't sleep well last night and both of you were snoring in my ears. I want some coffee," May whispered back. "And a donut."
"You don't need caffeine or more sugar right now. Funny seeing a coffee mess in a courtroom, huh?" Caine chuckled, sipping from his cup. "Never knew a cowboy or a lawman who could do without."
"Please? Just a sip?"
"Here. Be careful, it's very hot. Layton looks so sinister, doesn't he?" Caine gestured towards his brother. Layton was dressed in a tailored black suit, left open in the front to display his favorite silver belt buckle.
"Yeah. He just needs a black hat and he'd look as deadly as Doc Holliday without the 'tashe. Why did he have to wear that belt? He knows I hate it." May shuddered.
"He wears it for the same reason that you hate it. It's intimidating. He won that buckle in a boxing match, you know."
"Layton boxes?" May was astonished. "How come you never told me?"
"We never thought about it. Pop got tired of sending him to the hospital to get his nose fixed, and made him quit. He was a mean old cuss in his younger days."
"He still is at times," May chuckled. "Really, though, I like how he is.
He's so opposite of you. You two really complement each other, like the perfect couple." She giggled.
"Brat. Shhh, it's beginning."
"All rise. Wichita Falls County Court of Appeals is now in progress. The Honorable Lawrence Clemmons, presiding, and associate justices Honorable Clarice Harrison, and Honorable Thomas Jones. Please be seated," the bailiff called out.
May dug her nails into Caine's hand as her assailant's attorney introduced the claim of coercion, and alleged that his client was a helpless victim of manipulation. The attorney presented the argument that the rapist was 'enticed' by a woman who was well known to share her 'delights' with any available man in town, and concluded that the girl had both seduced and provoked his client into rough sexual activities because, he quoted, she 'liked it that way.'
Layton objected, and the fight was on. Caine stroked May's hand, excising her talons from his flesh, and wrapping his hand around hers. She gritted her teeth as Sri was permitted by the judges to discuss the extent of damage done to the girl's physical, mental and emotional state. She also opined that the trauma was eventful enough to raise concern regarding May's ability to function safely on her own. When she was finished, she returned to sit with May
"Is that the plan? To initiate the application for guardianship? Brilliant!" Caine whispered.
May nodded, and listened as Layton laid out his argument against the appeal–and was constantly interrupted by the defense attorney.
"Oh boy, he's going to blow," Caine whispered. "Layton hates being interrupted."
"Do you even remember what she looked like? This 'town whore', as you call her. A women well known to every man in the district and, what did you say? A few horses? No, don't look at your attorney. Describe this woman!" Layton shouted.
"Yes, please," Judge Clemmons said calmly. "Someone who is that popular must be easy to point out in a room full of people. No? You don't see her? Mr. Marshall? Is the woman in the courtroom today?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
The assailant stuttered, desperately looking around the room to pick out the woman he had injured. "She had dark hair…"
"She's blond!"
"Um, tall and with a nice rack, I mean, breasts…"
"He doesn't even know what she looks like!" Layton exploded. "She was a piece of meat to beat up and abuse, then toss in the trash. To even consider allowing this person back on the streets is a shameful embarrassment to a heritage that my family has claimed since this great state was founded." His drawl was hard and heavy, and his voice boomed. "You, sir!" He pointed to the jarred defense attorney. "How dare you call yourself a Texan? You should be ashamed to represent a case like this! Your mama would never be able to show her face in public if she knew the kind of man she raised on this proud soil."
Sri elbowed May before anyone had a chance to comment. May stood up. "Excuse me, Your Honor? May I please say something?"
"May, sit down," Layton ordered, his face clouded with anger.
"That's all right, counselor. Come forward, child. You looked disturbed," the female judge said kindly. "I'm sorry you have to be hearing all this. Are your parents here?" The woman looked around the crowd.
She stepped forward. "No, ma'am. I'm Maybelle Wright. I'm the one whose character this man is making all these attacks on. I had never even kissed a boy before that night. I was stupid, and let him and his friends talk me into a drink. It was my twentieth birthday. I know I was under drinking age and I did wrong there, but," she paused and scanned the eyes of the three judges, "I can't just sit here and listen to this man justify raping me or any other woman. He's twice my size and at least twenty years my senior. Mr. Marshall is right. There used to be a time when a girl could depend on a gentleman watching out for her. Old values just don't seem to matter anymore, do they? Not when a gal can't even be safe in her home town." She looked at them, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Are you really twenty years old, sweetheart?" the third judge asked.
"Yes, sir. I turned twenty the day they stole my innocence and what little self-esteem I had," May looked down. "I know I'm not allowed to testify, but I couldn't do it before. I was too afraid to face them. To see that look on their faces. It makes me crazy."
Everyone in the room immediately turned to stare hatefully at the smirking man. He instantaneously straightened his face.
"May, go sit down, please. Dr. Adul? Please come get her. She's not stable," Layton called.
May walked over to the coffee mess, picked up a cup and the pot of boiling hot coffee, and went to stand in front of the rapist. "Please, sir, allow me to pour you a cup of coffee, and then we can talk about how a virgin becomes a whore once she is raped in every orifice by three people. You enjoyed going back and forth in me, didn't you? My begging you to stop meant nothing, did it?"
The court was silent as May poured his cup, placed it in front of him, and then dumped the remainder of the pot over his lap. His screams filled the room as he jumped out of his chair and tried to fan his scalding crotch.
"Thank you for listening." May smiled at the judges before walking back to her seat.
"Fuck," Caine hissed. "Why the hell did you do that?"
"I guess I had a meltdown," May shrugged. "And you cussed."
"I'm going to do more than cuss when we get home. Damn it, May!"
"Order! Order!" Judge Clemmons pounded his gavel. He glanced at his two colleagues. They nodded and handed him pieces of paper. He nodded in return. "The Court of Appeals has reached a verdict. Given the evidence presented before the court on this day, it is the decision of this panel that the sentence issued is to remain as is. In addition, prosecution has requested a review of the sentence to determine if it is, indeed, unduly lenient. The motion to increase the sentence to twenty years is approved. The prisoner will be transported immediately to the state prison with eligibility of parole after fifteen. This Court of Appeals is adjourned. Thank you," Judge Clemmons said to the other two sitting beside him.
"That was short and sweet." Sri grinned, elbowing May and pointing at Layton. "He's speechless."
"It's a day for miracles. So is Caine."
"Dr. Adul? Would you please step forward?" Judge Clemmons called, after the other two appellate judges had left. "I understand that you expressed concern regarding this young woman's ability to safely care for herself. Her behavior today is substantial proof that she is in need for supervision, in order to maintain safety for herself and others. Are the two applicants for guardianship present?"
"Yes, Your Honor."
"Gentlemen, please approach the bench. Bring Miss Wright with you as well. And please keep her away from the coffee mess."
Layton and Caine looked at each other, and slowly walked to stand before the judge. "Gentlemen, you have your work cut out for you. The acceptance of a guardianship for an adult is a lifelong responsibility. You do realize that sharing a ward jointly restricts both of you from ever leaving the state without the other guardian or his permission, right?"
"Yes, Your Honor. We understand the legal restrictions," Layton said.
"Have you considered the personal restrictions? For all intents and purposes, having a ward is very much like being in a marriage. If you have the desire to get married or have a family, May must be the first consideration. Your significant other will have to face that fact, and be supportive."
"We fully understand and accept that as well."
"I'm asking this question and I want an honest answer. May? Come closer, please." The judge waited until May stood between the two men, before he leaned forward to speak to them in a low voice. "You are aware that I was the one who approved the order of protection for her, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"You are also aware that I have knowledge of your lifestyle preferences?"
"Yes, sir." Layton lifted his chin and stared boldly into the judge's eyes. "You also knew our father, and have helped him protect other women like May. We have moved ourselves into another home so that the lake house can be
used solely to continue our father's work."
Larry drummed his fingers on the bench. "You still are a stubborn, pig-headed mule, aren't you, Layton?
"If you are asking me whether I've changed since the last time you called me something similar, then no, sir, I have not." Layton suppressed a smile.
"Do you both love this girl?"
"With all our hearts," Layton answered back. Caine nodded.
"May? Do you love these men?"
"They are everything to me, Judge Larry. I couldn't live a day without them."
He smiled at her address. "I see. So are you telling me that if I force you to separate from them, you would be hurt?"
"I just fried that guy's balls for lying about me. There is a lot more from where that came from, and it sure as hell isn't very pretty."
"Maybelle!" Layton and Caine scolded.
The judge drew his brows into a furrow as he looked back and forth between the three. "This is very unorthodox but, like you always say, Layton, we have our own form of justice in Texas. Layton and Caine Marshall? Do you promise to honor, respect and care for Maybelle, in sickness and in health, while assuming the role of her permanent guardians and safe-keepers?"
"Yes, sir, we do." The two men looked at each other in confusion.
"Maybelle Wright, should I ask if you are willing to obey and follow the guidance of these two boys?"
"You could ask, but I couldn't very well answer without lying," May chuckled. "I'm not very good at minding."
"Well, that is something your new guardians will need to work on with you." The judge smiled. "I am also authorizing your request for a formal name change, to eliminate any future issues with property ownership and rights to assets."
"Our request?" Layton raised his eyebrow.
"That was my request, Mr. Marshall," Sri said from behind. "The legal system is already so messed up that something like this will be of benefit in case anything ever happens to either of you."
"I will also be working with Dr. Adul in legal referrals to the lodging your family has provided. I've reviewed her proposal and wish to be an active donator and participant. I offered my services to set up a board of directors and advisory committee to satisfy state regulations."
Two Guardians for Little May Page 19
