Chapter 22
Attorney Eva Mendez & Inside Court Room
_ Sabrina dabbed her tears away as she sat in the witness
stand in court just after she finished telling the court what happened to her
on that frightening night when she was just 14 years old. It was Kelly’s first
time hearing the details so graphically. It was so hard to control her sobs as
she listened to Sabrina’s story. The sounds of sniffles were filling the room
which came from both Sabrina and Kelly.
Eva stepped up close to the stand where Sabrina was sitting as Sabrina wiped her tears. “Do you need a moment? Would you like a break?” Eva asked quietly in a comforting tone.
Sabrina sniffed and pushed her hair behind her ear. “No. Im fine.”
Eva nodded her head saying ‘okay’. “One last time, Sabrina…for the court…did you fight and say no to each one of your attackers prior, during, and after they sexually assaulted you? Including Zack Efron?”
“Yes. With everything I had.” Sabrina's voice quivered.
“Thank you. No more further questions your honor.”
Judge Alexander wrote something down in his notes and looked up above the rim of his thick black reading eye glasses looking at Rob Patterson, Zack’s attorney. “Mr. Patterson…? Care to cross examine?”
Zack and his attorney Rob were whispering amongst themselves and suddenly stopped when the judge addressed him. Rob raised his finger as if asking for one more minute to have a discussion with his client. The judge sighed and took off his eye glasses staring in annoyance at Rob. “Sometime today, counsel..?”
Sabrina nervously looked over at Eva. Eva made eye contact with Sabrina and shook her head as if saying, ‘don’t worry about them.’ Sabrina then looked into the audience of the courtroom and saw her aunt still drying her eyes from crying. Her eyes and nose were red from crying. Sabrina glanced around the room and saw Taylor and Victoria. Taylor was looking down as if trying to avoid any eye contact. Victoria ran her fingers thru her hair consistently chomping on her gum looking as if she were ready to go.
Eva stepped up close to the stand where Sabrina was sitting as Sabrina wiped her tears. “Do you need a moment? Would you like a break?” Eva asked quietly in a comforting tone.
Sabrina sniffed and pushed her hair behind her ear. “No. Im fine.”
Eva nodded her head saying ‘okay’. “One last time, Sabrina…for the court…did you fight and say no to each one of your attackers prior, during, and after they sexually assaulted you? Including Zack Efron?”
“Yes. With everything I had.” Sabrina's voice quivered.
“Thank you. No more further questions your honor.”
Judge Alexander wrote something down in his notes and looked up above the rim of his thick black reading eye glasses looking at Rob Patterson, Zack’s attorney. “Mr. Patterson…? Care to cross examine?”
Zack and his attorney Rob were whispering amongst themselves and suddenly stopped when the judge addressed him. Rob raised his finger as if asking for one more minute to have a discussion with his client. The judge sighed and took off his eye glasses staring in annoyance at Rob. “Sometime today, counsel..?”
Sabrina nervously looked over at Eva. Eva made eye contact with Sabrina and shook her head as if saying, ‘don’t worry about them.’ Sabrina then looked into the audience of the courtroom and saw her aunt still drying her eyes from crying. Her eyes and nose were red from crying. Sabrina glanced around the room and saw Taylor and Victoria. Taylor was looking down as if trying to avoid any eye contact. Victoria ran her fingers thru her hair consistently chomping on her gum looking as if she were ready to go.
Attorney Rob Patterson & Judge Alexander
_“Im sorry, your honor, just had to make some quick
clarifications with my client…but we are good.” Rob said straightening his tie
with a smile as he stood.
“You mean to tell me that even after several hours of pushing this court session back, you still need more time for clarifications?”
“No, your honor…we are good now, thank you.” Rob smiled.
“Carry on, counsel.”
Rob turned his attention to Sabrina. “Sabrina Marie Cain…that was a rather interesting story you just told there.”
“It wasn’t a story…it was the truth.” Sabrina stated holding her head up.
Rob smiled sarcastically. “Riiight. Do you know Zack Efron’s wife, Taylor?”
“Yes.”
“How well do you know her?”
“I've known her almost my whole life.”
“Would you consider yourselves, best friends?”
“We were…yes.”
“Ahhh…you were? Are you no longer friends because she is now married to Zack? Perhaps you are jealous of her?”
“No, not at all…”
“Objection! Your honor, she is not on trial nor is Taylor on tria—“
“I have a point your honor!” Rob shouted holding his index finger up interrupting Eva.
“Then get to it.” Judge Alexander said slightly frustrated.
“Were you popular in high school?” Rob asked Sabrina.
“No. I wouldn’t say so.”
“So, that whole story about all the kids in the whole NorthSide High talking about you and spreading these so-called rumors of you having sex with the entire football team are all false, right?”
“No. That is true. That actually happened...they did spread rumors about me.”
“Why would that happen if you weren’t popular in high school? Who cares about a non-popular girl in high school if she slept with the football team? Nobody cares about a ‘nobody’.”
Sabrina wasn’t sure what to say. She hesitated, “No…it…well, I was—“
“Right. But Taylor was popular, correct?”
“Well…yeah, I guess..but—“
“Perhaps you acted out to become popular so having all these stories spread around the school was a good thing. It made you popular, right?”
“What? No! That is ridiculous.”
“Is it now?”
“Yes!” Sabrina said defensively.
“So when those so-called rumors didn’t work to make you popular, perhaps you became jealous of Taylor and therefore you were no longer friends, correct?”
“No, you’re wrong!”
“Your honor! I don’t see a point!” Eva said loudly standing up from her seat.
“Approach the bench counselors.” Judge Alexander demanded.
Both Eva and Rob approached the Judge.
“What are you getting at Mr. Patterson?” Judge Alexander asked Rob.
“Clearly sir, she’s making up these stories to get back at Zack’s wife, Taylor. Just like Mrs. Mendez’s previous witness, Demetria Lovasto. She can’t even answer a question clearly, sir.” He whispered.
“Clearly, you're not giving her a chance to answer when you keep cutting her off. And your taking too damn long to get to this ridiculous point you're trying to make.” Eva said speaking fast in her Spanish accent.
“Alright, alright, you two." The Judge said trying to calm the two attorneys. He continued, "Mr. Patterson, your point was poorly made. I suggest you move on or change direction to your point.”
“Fair enough.” Rob said with a smile.
Eva rolled her eyes as they both dispearsed from the Judges stand.
Sabrina watched Eva walk back over to her table and whisper something to her legal assistant, Christopher, as they leaned across their client, Maria. Sabrina's attention turned back to Rob who happened to start pacing the floor as he placed the tip of his eye glasses frame into his mouth.
“What is a 14 year old doing, going to a house party full of eighteen year olds?” he asked.
“We thought it was just Zack and his friends there. We didn’t know it was going to be mostly Roger’s friends.”
“But when you got there, and you saw that it was mostly Roger’s friends…why didn’t you leave?”
Sabrina hesitated. “I…I don’t know. We just wanted to have fun.”
“Have fun with a bunch of older kids?”
“No…I mean, it wasn’t like that.”
“Riiight. But if you stayed at this party with all of these older kids…isn’t it a way to become more cool…perhaps more popular?”
Sabrina only stared at Rob.
“Am I correct, Ms. Cain?”
“Yes.” Sabrina admitted shamefully.
“You even drank alcohol, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And you knew it was alcohol, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Perhaps another way to say, ‘hey look at me, Im cool. Im going to become popular'…right, Ms. Cain?”
“It wasn’t like my mission to become popular, no. I drank it because everyone else was drinking.”
“Peer pressure, sucks, huh Ms. Cain?” Before Sabrina had a chance to respond, Rob continued, “What were you wearing?”
Sabrina told him what she was wearing.
“Rather revealing for a 14 year old, wouldn’t you say, Ms. Cain?”
“Yes, but—“
“But, you were trying to be cool. Like the popular girls, right?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“So you were drinking, dressed rather provocatively, and at a house party full of older kids. Interesting. Did you dance?”
“Yes. Along with all the other kids there.”
“Right.” Rob said uninterested in her response.
He then walked over to the table at which Zack sat, staring intently at Sabrina. Rob picked up some files and began looking over them. “So you say that Roger carried you upstairs while fondling you?”
“I remember him slapping my butt as he carried me over his shoulder, yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell him to stop?”
“It was like horseplay. I didn’t think much of it.”
“Do you let all the guys slap your buttocks at any time?”
“No. I don’t.”
“But that time…you did?”
“I was drunk…I didn’t think much of it.”
“I see. So…he gets you up into the bedroom, and he starts to…” he paused and looked down at a sheet of paper. “…kiss and suck on your neck..?”
“Correct.” Sabrina said feeling uncomfortable talking about it once again.
“You didn’t stop him then?”
“No, not at first.”
“Why not? Do you just let any guy kiss and suck on your neck?”
“I wasn’t very coherent at the time.”
“So you didn’t know what you were saying or doing?”
“No…I knew what was going on...”
“But you didn’t stop him?”
“I didn’t think he would take things any further than that.”
“Riiight. That’s when Paul entered into the room, right?”
“Yes.” Sabrina answered annoyed.
“Were you embarrassed at that moment?”
Sabrina looked at him with a puzzled expression.
He continued, “Embarrassed that you were caught making out with Roger, Zack’s brother?”
“Yes. I wanted to leave, but Roger would not let me. He held me down, I couldn’t move.”
“Riiight. Was he covering your mouth?”
“No…I don’t think so…not at that time.”
“You don’t think so? Why didn’t you scream?”
“I thought they were going to let me go.”
“But… he was holding you down, and you couldn’t move, what made you think he would let you go?”
“Because I asked him to let me go…over and over again.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Im sure.”
“But you were drunk…correct?”
“Yes.”
“So how can you be so sure?”
“Because I know.”
“Riiight. How did you feel about my client, Zack, prior to that night?” Rob asked holding his hands behind his back and staring right at Sabrina.
“What do you mean?”
“Did you like him?”
“As a friend, yes.”
“Did you think he was handsome, cute, or a heartthrob?”
“All the girls thought he was a good looking guy.”
“Im not asking about all the other girls, Ms. Cain…Im asking about your thoughts.” Rob sneered.
Sabrina cleared her throat, “Yes, I thought he was a nice looking guy.”
“Did you think Roger was a good looking guy?”
“Yes.”
“What about Paul?”
“Yes.”
“Could that be the reason why you didn’t stop them?”
“No…I tried to stop them…but they wouldn’t stop.” Sabrina said defensively.
“Mmm-hmm… I see. Why didn’t you tell your father what happened?”
“I was scared…I –“
“…Was ashamed?” Rob interrupted Sabrina.
“Yes –“
“Ashamed that you just had sex with three males in one night.”
“I was ashamed that I was raped by three guys!”
“But why? You didn’t want it to happen, there was nothing to be ashamed of…unless, you gave them consent and you were worried that everybody would start talking about how the popular girl had sex with three guys from her high school …”
“Objection!” Eva stated loudly.
“Overruled.” Judge Alexander responded.
“No…that’s not true!” Sabrina said defensively responding to Rob's last statement.
“Did you avoid Zack and the others after that night?” Rob continued to ask ignoring Sabrina.
“Yes, I did.”
“Oh..that’s right…you went into hiding due to embarrassment and shame. Did you ever speak or have any type of contact with Zack?”
“No. I avoided him any chance that I could.”
“And what about his family?”
“Yes. I did the same thing. I avoided him, his friends and his family.”
“Can you tell me the full name of your son’s father?”
Sabrina paused not sure where that question came from. “Joshua Hutchinson.”
“Joshua Hutchinson…hmmm…how long did you all date prior to you having his baby?”
“Objection your honor! This has nothing to do with this case.” Eva complained with a frown.
“Counsel –“
“I have a point, your honor!” Rob shouted interrupting the judge.
“We are not going to go thru these games again, counsel. What is your point?” Judge Alexander stated with frustration.
“Im getting there your honor. I promise.”
Judge Alexander gestured for him to continue.
“How long did you two date prior to you having his baby?” Rob continued turning his attention back to Sabrina.
“Uhmmm about a year or so.”
“About a year or so. But you had his son. Your son is how old now?”
“Eight.”
“Eight years ago you had the son of Joshua Hutchinson only after dating him for a year. Is he in your life now?”
“No, he’s not.”
“Why not?”
“Your honor, please?” Eva objected interrupting Rob. She felt Rob was not making his point and didn't understand why he was going this route of questioning.
“Your honor, please…Im almost there.” Rob claimed.
“Hurry up counsel.” The judge stated.
“Why isn’t he in your life, Ms. Cain?” Rob continued.
“Because he didn’t want to be a father.”
“So he dumped you?”
Sabrina began fidgeting in her chair. “Yeah…he dumped me and our son. Yes.”
“But if he hadn’t…would you still be with him?”
“I guess.” Sabrina said unsure.
“You guess?”
“I mean…I don’t know. Maybe. I loved him.”
“Really, Ms. Cain? You avoided all of my client’s family after he and his brother allegedly brutally raped you, yet a couple of years after you graduate from high school, you fall in love after a year or so with the cousin of Zack Efron, Joshua Hutchinson, and have his son?!?” Rob yelled thru out the courtroom.
Sabrina began to breathe heavily. She looked over at Zack who was slightly smiling as he stared intently at her. Sabrina darted her eyes quickly away from Zack and looked at the smirk look on Rob’s face as if he had just claimed checkmate in a game of playing chess.
“Wh-what?” was all Sabrina could manage to get out.
“Joshua Hutchinson is Zack’s first cousin. I find it hard to believe that you despise Zack and his family and friends so much for what happened to you, yet you carried on a sexual relationship with his first cousin. AND had his child.” Rob stated.
Sabrina’s eyes welled up with tears as her breathing continued to weigh heavily from her chest. She shook her head in disbelief.
“Was this before or after you realized Zack had moved on from you and started to be with his current wife, Taylor?”
Sabrina’s mind was running wild. She had no clue Josh was Zack’s cousin. Tears dropped down her face. “I didn’t…I didn’t know that they were cousins.”
“Surely, you knew of his family when you all were hanging with Roger and Zack. Surely, if you were in a loving relationship with Joshua, you met his extended family. Was this just another tactic to become popular or remain recognized in Zack’s life?”
“Objection!” Eva shouted loudly as she stood.
Rob hit the wooden barricade that surrounded Sabrina on the witness stand and smiled. “Point made. No more further questions your honor.”
“Wait! I didn’t know they were cousins. I swear!” Sabrina yelled thru her tears at Rob.
“You may step down please miss.” Judge Alexander frowned and demanded to Sabrina.
Sabrina wiped her tears as she began to quietly sob walking off the witness stand. She quickly ran out of the courtroom with Kelly following behind her.
“You mean to tell me that even after several hours of pushing this court session back, you still need more time for clarifications?”
“No, your honor…we are good now, thank you.” Rob smiled.
“Carry on, counsel.”
Rob turned his attention to Sabrina. “Sabrina Marie Cain…that was a rather interesting story you just told there.”
“It wasn’t a story…it was the truth.” Sabrina stated holding her head up.
Rob smiled sarcastically. “Riiight. Do you know Zack Efron’s wife, Taylor?”
“Yes.”
“How well do you know her?”
“I've known her almost my whole life.”
“Would you consider yourselves, best friends?”
“We were…yes.”
“Ahhh…you were? Are you no longer friends because she is now married to Zack? Perhaps you are jealous of her?”
“No, not at all…”
“Objection! Your honor, she is not on trial nor is Taylor on tria—“
“I have a point your honor!” Rob shouted holding his index finger up interrupting Eva.
“Then get to it.” Judge Alexander said slightly frustrated.
“Were you popular in high school?” Rob asked Sabrina.
“No. I wouldn’t say so.”
“So, that whole story about all the kids in the whole NorthSide High talking about you and spreading these so-called rumors of you having sex with the entire football team are all false, right?”
“No. That is true. That actually happened...they did spread rumors about me.”
“Why would that happen if you weren’t popular in high school? Who cares about a non-popular girl in high school if she slept with the football team? Nobody cares about a ‘nobody’.”
Sabrina wasn’t sure what to say. She hesitated, “No…it…well, I was—“
“Right. But Taylor was popular, correct?”
“Well…yeah, I guess..but—“
“Perhaps you acted out to become popular so having all these stories spread around the school was a good thing. It made you popular, right?”
“What? No! That is ridiculous.”
“Is it now?”
“Yes!” Sabrina said defensively.
“So when those so-called rumors didn’t work to make you popular, perhaps you became jealous of Taylor and therefore you were no longer friends, correct?”
“No, you’re wrong!”
“Your honor! I don’t see a point!” Eva said loudly standing up from her seat.
“Approach the bench counselors.” Judge Alexander demanded.
Both Eva and Rob approached the Judge.
“What are you getting at Mr. Patterson?” Judge Alexander asked Rob.
“Clearly sir, she’s making up these stories to get back at Zack’s wife, Taylor. Just like Mrs. Mendez’s previous witness, Demetria Lovasto. She can’t even answer a question clearly, sir.” He whispered.
“Clearly, you're not giving her a chance to answer when you keep cutting her off. And your taking too damn long to get to this ridiculous point you're trying to make.” Eva said speaking fast in her Spanish accent.
“Alright, alright, you two." The Judge said trying to calm the two attorneys. He continued, "Mr. Patterson, your point was poorly made. I suggest you move on or change direction to your point.”
“Fair enough.” Rob said with a smile.
Eva rolled her eyes as they both dispearsed from the Judges stand.
Sabrina watched Eva walk back over to her table and whisper something to her legal assistant, Christopher, as they leaned across their client, Maria. Sabrina's attention turned back to Rob who happened to start pacing the floor as he placed the tip of his eye glasses frame into his mouth.
“What is a 14 year old doing, going to a house party full of eighteen year olds?” he asked.
“We thought it was just Zack and his friends there. We didn’t know it was going to be mostly Roger’s friends.”
“But when you got there, and you saw that it was mostly Roger’s friends…why didn’t you leave?”
Sabrina hesitated. “I…I don’t know. We just wanted to have fun.”
“Have fun with a bunch of older kids?”
“No…I mean, it wasn’t like that.”
“Riiight. But if you stayed at this party with all of these older kids…isn’t it a way to become more cool…perhaps more popular?”
Sabrina only stared at Rob.
“Am I correct, Ms. Cain?”
“Yes.” Sabrina admitted shamefully.
“You even drank alcohol, correct?”
“Yes.”
“And you knew it was alcohol, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Perhaps another way to say, ‘hey look at me, Im cool. Im going to become popular'…right, Ms. Cain?”
“It wasn’t like my mission to become popular, no. I drank it because everyone else was drinking.”
“Peer pressure, sucks, huh Ms. Cain?” Before Sabrina had a chance to respond, Rob continued, “What were you wearing?”
Sabrina told him what she was wearing.
“Rather revealing for a 14 year old, wouldn’t you say, Ms. Cain?”
“Yes, but—“
“But, you were trying to be cool. Like the popular girls, right?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“So you were drinking, dressed rather provocatively, and at a house party full of older kids. Interesting. Did you dance?”
“Yes. Along with all the other kids there.”
“Right.” Rob said uninterested in her response.
He then walked over to the table at which Zack sat, staring intently at Sabrina. Rob picked up some files and began looking over them. “So you say that Roger carried you upstairs while fondling you?”
“I remember him slapping my butt as he carried me over his shoulder, yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell him to stop?”
“It was like horseplay. I didn’t think much of it.”
“Do you let all the guys slap your buttocks at any time?”
“No. I don’t.”
“But that time…you did?”
“I was drunk…I didn’t think much of it.”
“I see. So…he gets you up into the bedroom, and he starts to…” he paused and looked down at a sheet of paper. “…kiss and suck on your neck..?”
“Correct.” Sabrina said feeling uncomfortable talking about it once again.
“You didn’t stop him then?”
“No, not at first.”
“Why not? Do you just let any guy kiss and suck on your neck?”
“I wasn’t very coherent at the time.”
“So you didn’t know what you were saying or doing?”
“No…I knew what was going on...”
“But you didn’t stop him?”
“I didn’t think he would take things any further than that.”
“Riiight. That’s when Paul entered into the room, right?”
“Yes.” Sabrina answered annoyed.
“Were you embarrassed at that moment?”
Sabrina looked at him with a puzzled expression.
He continued, “Embarrassed that you were caught making out with Roger, Zack’s brother?”
“Yes. I wanted to leave, but Roger would not let me. He held me down, I couldn’t move.”
“Riiight. Was he covering your mouth?”
“No…I don’t think so…not at that time.”
“You don’t think so? Why didn’t you scream?”
“I thought they were going to let me go.”
“But… he was holding you down, and you couldn’t move, what made you think he would let you go?”
“Because I asked him to let me go…over and over again.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Im sure.”
“But you were drunk…correct?”
“Yes.”
“So how can you be so sure?”
“Because I know.”
“Riiight. How did you feel about my client, Zack, prior to that night?” Rob asked holding his hands behind his back and staring right at Sabrina.
“What do you mean?”
“Did you like him?”
“As a friend, yes.”
“Did you think he was handsome, cute, or a heartthrob?”
“All the girls thought he was a good looking guy.”
“Im not asking about all the other girls, Ms. Cain…Im asking about your thoughts.” Rob sneered.
Sabrina cleared her throat, “Yes, I thought he was a nice looking guy.”
“Did you think Roger was a good looking guy?”
“Yes.”
“What about Paul?”
“Yes.”
“Could that be the reason why you didn’t stop them?”
“No…I tried to stop them…but they wouldn’t stop.” Sabrina said defensively.
“Mmm-hmm… I see. Why didn’t you tell your father what happened?”
“I was scared…I –“
“…Was ashamed?” Rob interrupted Sabrina.
“Yes –“
“Ashamed that you just had sex with three males in one night.”
“I was ashamed that I was raped by three guys!”
“But why? You didn’t want it to happen, there was nothing to be ashamed of…unless, you gave them consent and you were worried that everybody would start talking about how the popular girl had sex with three guys from her high school …”
“Objection!” Eva stated loudly.
“Overruled.” Judge Alexander responded.
“No…that’s not true!” Sabrina said defensively responding to Rob's last statement.
“Did you avoid Zack and the others after that night?” Rob continued to ask ignoring Sabrina.
“Yes, I did.”
“Oh..that’s right…you went into hiding due to embarrassment and shame. Did you ever speak or have any type of contact with Zack?”
“No. I avoided him any chance that I could.”
“And what about his family?”
“Yes. I did the same thing. I avoided him, his friends and his family.”
“Can you tell me the full name of your son’s father?”
Sabrina paused not sure where that question came from. “Joshua Hutchinson.”
“Joshua Hutchinson…hmmm…how long did you all date prior to you having his baby?”
“Objection your honor! This has nothing to do with this case.” Eva complained with a frown.
“Counsel –“
“I have a point, your honor!” Rob shouted interrupting the judge.
“We are not going to go thru these games again, counsel. What is your point?” Judge Alexander stated with frustration.
“Im getting there your honor. I promise.”
Judge Alexander gestured for him to continue.
“How long did you two date prior to you having his baby?” Rob continued turning his attention back to Sabrina.
“Uhmmm about a year or so.”
“About a year or so. But you had his son. Your son is how old now?”
“Eight.”
“Eight years ago you had the son of Joshua Hutchinson only after dating him for a year. Is he in your life now?”
“No, he’s not.”
“Why not?”
“Your honor, please?” Eva objected interrupting Rob. She felt Rob was not making his point and didn't understand why he was going this route of questioning.
“Your honor, please…Im almost there.” Rob claimed.
“Hurry up counsel.” The judge stated.
“Why isn’t he in your life, Ms. Cain?” Rob continued.
“Because he didn’t want to be a father.”
“So he dumped you?”
Sabrina began fidgeting in her chair. “Yeah…he dumped me and our son. Yes.”
“But if he hadn’t…would you still be with him?”
“I guess.” Sabrina said unsure.
“You guess?”
“I mean…I don’t know. Maybe. I loved him.”
“Really, Ms. Cain? You avoided all of my client’s family after he and his brother allegedly brutally raped you, yet a couple of years after you graduate from high school, you fall in love after a year or so with the cousin of Zack Efron, Joshua Hutchinson, and have his son?!?” Rob yelled thru out the courtroom.
Sabrina began to breathe heavily. She looked over at Zack who was slightly smiling as he stared intently at her. Sabrina darted her eyes quickly away from Zack and looked at the smirk look on Rob’s face as if he had just claimed checkmate in a game of playing chess.
“Wh-what?” was all Sabrina could manage to get out.
“Joshua Hutchinson is Zack’s first cousin. I find it hard to believe that you despise Zack and his family and friends so much for what happened to you, yet you carried on a sexual relationship with his first cousin. AND had his child.” Rob stated.
Sabrina’s eyes welled up with tears as her breathing continued to weigh heavily from her chest. She shook her head in disbelief.
“Was this before or after you realized Zack had moved on from you and started to be with his current wife, Taylor?”
Sabrina’s mind was running wild. She had no clue Josh was Zack’s cousin. Tears dropped down her face. “I didn’t…I didn’t know that they were cousins.”
“Surely, you knew of his family when you all were hanging with Roger and Zack. Surely, if you were in a loving relationship with Joshua, you met his extended family. Was this just another tactic to become popular or remain recognized in Zack’s life?”
“Objection!” Eva shouted loudly as she stood.
Rob hit the wooden barricade that surrounded Sabrina on the witness stand and smiled. “Point made. No more further questions your honor.”
“Wait! I didn’t know they were cousins. I swear!” Sabrina yelled thru her tears at Rob.
“You may step down please miss.” Judge Alexander frowned and demanded to Sabrina.
Sabrina wiped her tears as she began to quietly sob walking off the witness stand. She quickly ran out of the courtroom with Kelly following behind her.
Part II
Conference Room at Courthouse
_
After crying for an hour after hearing that Josh was Zack’s
cousin, Sabrina sat in the conference room at the court house with Eva and her legal assistant,
Christopher, and her aunt Kelly. They surrounded the table sitting near the telephone. The phone was ringing loudly due to it being on speaker phone.
They all were waiting for the person they were calling to pick up the phone.
“Hello?” said a male’s voice.
“Josh, is this you?” Sabrina asked with her eyes puffy from crying.
“Yea…who is this?”
“It’s me, Sabrina.”
They could hear him sigh on the other end. “Brin…Im sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t know you were involved in Zack’s mess.”
Sabrina could feel her aunt rub her back in comfort. “I didn’t know Zack was your cousin. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Zack and I weren’t close back then. I swear. But when I saw you at the restaurant the other day, I put two and two together when Zack told me they had other females accusing him. I never knew you were the one who was now accusing him of rape. Brin…I swear.” Josh said sounding sincere.
“I can’t believe this…” Sabrina said burying her head into her hands resting it on the table.
“Brin, listen…Zack is obsessed with you. He’s been obsessed with you since you guys started high school. I just never knew it was you. He always talked about this girl he lost his virginity to and couldn’t get her out of his mind. Now I know why he stopped talking to me. When he found out it was you that I was with, the girl he could never forget about, he immediately stopped taking my calls. We lost touch. I only heard from him again when I found out he was being accused of rape here in Orlando. I thought, to patch things back up with him, I would come to support him. But I never knew you were involved. Never.” Josh expressed in sorrow.
Eva wrote a note to Sabrina and slid it over to her. Sabrina read it and asked Josh what Eva had written down. “Josh…can you please testify that in court?”
Josh hesitated. “No way, Brin. I can’t. Im sorry.”
“Please, Josh…please. I’ll do anything. Whatever you want to work out with Cody, we can…just please…please testify against him in court. Please?” Sabrina begged Josh as tears streamed down her face.
There was a long pause.
“Alright. Fine. For you and Cody.” Josh said with a heavy heart.
Eva and Christopher exchanged happy glances at each other and gave a slient hi-five.
Sabrina sniffed. “Thank you, Josh.”
“Can I call you? What is your number?” Josh asked.
Sabrina gave him her number and they later said their goodbyes once she told him how Eva would be getting in touch with him.
Eva smiled as she looked at Sabrina. “Good job young lady. Sad to say, but I believe what Joshua said about Zack. It all makes sense. He’s been acting out ever sense he raped you, Sabrina. Look at the similarities. You, Demetria, and my client Maria all have latin roots and dark hair. I don’t know the connection with his current wife Taylor, but that is irrelevant right now.”
“Maybe his wife Taylor is just a cover up for what he really likes.” Christopher added.
“Good point, Chris.” Eva said. She then turned her attention back to Sabrina and Kelly. “It’s been a long day for you guys. Sabrina, it turns out that this case is hugely surrounded around you. I know that I am asking for a lot…but I really need you around…just in case we need to bring you back up to the witness stand again.”
Sabrina exchanged glances with her aunt. “I don’t know. I just want to go home, see my son and just forget everything.”
“Well, let’s think about it Brin. What if you’re needed here for the case, or for the issue with what happened to Nick.” Kelly said in a comforting tone.
“Uggh, who cares about Nick.” said clearly frustrated at this point.
“Sabrina…” Kelly said slightly stunned.
Sabrina sighed. “I mean…I do care about him, but…I just don’t want to be bothered. I just want to go home.” She wiped a few tears away from her face.
Kelly sighed as she ran her fingers thru Sabrina’s hair in comfort. “Okay, sweetie. Whatever you want you do. But I really think we should stick around.”
“This is just too much. I need to lay down or something and think about it.” Sabrina said burying her head into her hands.
“I think that would be a good idea.” Eva said with concern.
---------------
“Hello?” said a male’s voice.
“Josh, is this you?” Sabrina asked with her eyes puffy from crying.
“Yea…who is this?”
“It’s me, Sabrina.”
They could hear him sigh on the other end. “Brin…Im sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t know you were involved in Zack’s mess.”
Sabrina could feel her aunt rub her back in comfort. “I didn’t know Zack was your cousin. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Zack and I weren’t close back then. I swear. But when I saw you at the restaurant the other day, I put two and two together when Zack told me they had other females accusing him. I never knew you were the one who was now accusing him of rape. Brin…I swear.” Josh said sounding sincere.
“I can’t believe this…” Sabrina said burying her head into her hands resting it on the table.
“Brin, listen…Zack is obsessed with you. He’s been obsessed with you since you guys started high school. I just never knew it was you. He always talked about this girl he lost his virginity to and couldn’t get her out of his mind. Now I know why he stopped talking to me. When he found out it was you that I was with, the girl he could never forget about, he immediately stopped taking my calls. We lost touch. I only heard from him again when I found out he was being accused of rape here in Orlando. I thought, to patch things back up with him, I would come to support him. But I never knew you were involved. Never.” Josh expressed in sorrow.
Eva wrote a note to Sabrina and slid it over to her. Sabrina read it and asked Josh what Eva had written down. “Josh…can you please testify that in court?”
Josh hesitated. “No way, Brin. I can’t. Im sorry.”
“Please, Josh…please. I’ll do anything. Whatever you want to work out with Cody, we can…just please…please testify against him in court. Please?” Sabrina begged Josh as tears streamed down her face.
There was a long pause.
“Alright. Fine. For you and Cody.” Josh said with a heavy heart.
Eva and Christopher exchanged happy glances at each other and gave a slient hi-five.
Sabrina sniffed. “Thank you, Josh.”
“Can I call you? What is your number?” Josh asked.
Sabrina gave him her number and they later said their goodbyes once she told him how Eva would be getting in touch with him.
Eva smiled as she looked at Sabrina. “Good job young lady. Sad to say, but I believe what Joshua said about Zack. It all makes sense. He’s been acting out ever sense he raped you, Sabrina. Look at the similarities. You, Demetria, and my client Maria all have latin roots and dark hair. I don’t know the connection with his current wife Taylor, but that is irrelevant right now.”
“Maybe his wife Taylor is just a cover up for what he really likes.” Christopher added.
“Good point, Chris.” Eva said. She then turned her attention back to Sabrina and Kelly. “It’s been a long day for you guys. Sabrina, it turns out that this case is hugely surrounded around you. I know that I am asking for a lot…but I really need you around…just in case we need to bring you back up to the witness stand again.”
Sabrina exchanged glances with her aunt. “I don’t know. I just want to go home, see my son and just forget everything.”
“Well, let’s think about it Brin. What if you’re needed here for the case, or for the issue with what happened to Nick.” Kelly said in a comforting tone.
“Uggh, who cares about Nick.” said clearly frustrated at this point.
“Sabrina…” Kelly said slightly stunned.
Sabrina sighed. “I mean…I do care about him, but…I just don’t want to be bothered. I just want to go home.” She wiped a few tears away from her face.
Kelly sighed as she ran her fingers thru Sabrina’s hair in comfort. “Okay, sweetie. Whatever you want you do. But I really think we should stick around.”
“This is just too much. I need to lay down or something and think about it.” Sabrina said burying her head into her hands.
“I think that would be a good idea.” Eva said with concern.
---------------
Keanu & Sandra
_
Later that evening, Nick’s father walked into Nick’s
hospital room. He saw his ex-wife, Sandra and Joanna in the room with Nick. Sandra was
still sitting at his bedside while Joanna was sitting in a recliner chair half
sleep near the window. Sandra turned around when she saw her ex-husband, Keanu,
walk into the room.
“How is he?” Keanu asked as he walked in.
“It’s about time you get here.” Sandra said with a slight attitude.
“I got here as soon as I could. I caught the first flight down here from D.C.”
“Hi, Mr. Lancaster.” Joanna greeted him.
Keanu nodded his head to Joanna in greeting her. “Where’s my grandbaby?” he asked referring to Josslyn.
“She’s back home with my mom.”
Keanu smiled thinking of Josslyn.
He then turned his attention back to Nick who was lying in his bed. “How long has he been out?”
“For a while now.” Sandra said looking at Nick.
Keanu dropped his bags to the floor and walked closer over to Nick. He winced when he saw Nick’s swollen beaten face. “All this over Sabrina, huh?” Keanu whispered placing his hand over Nick's forearm.
“Im going to go get something to eat down stairs. Joanna, you want anything, hun?” Sandra said standing up from her chair.
Joanna slid back into her stiletto shoes and stood up flipping her hair off from around her shoulders. “I’ll come with you.”
Keanu watched both Sandra and Joanna walk out of the hospital room.
Keanu walked around Nick’s bed and sat down in the chair that Sandra was previously sitting in. “Hey, son.” Keanu said patting Nick’s arm. Nick slowly woke up. He turned his head to look over at his father. “Hey dad.” Nick said in a groggy voice.
“What have you gotten yourself into, huh?” Keanu said looking at Nick’s swollen eye.
Nick didn’t respond. He only looked away and up at the television on the wall.
“Stabbed three times…you almost lost your life by losing too much blood.” Keanu said in disbelief. “Who did this to you and why? Have I not taught you anything?”
“Dad, I was jumped. One of them stabbed me. What was I supposed to do?” Nick said in a low groggy husky tone.
“Nicholas…is this really over Sabrina?”
Nick remained silent for a while. He then finally answered, “Yeah.”
“About her being raped?”
Nick nodded yes.
“You almost lost your life, son.”
Nick didn’t respond.
“You must love her…”
Nick remained silent as he looked at the television.
Keanu sighed as he looked at the television of which Nick was looking at. He then turned his attention back to Nick. “How can you love one person, but keep having babies with another?” Keanu asked puzzled.
Nick turned to look at his father and furrowed his eyebrows.
“Your mother told me that Joanna said she was pregnant again. Nicholas, what are you doing? You’re a grown man still behaving like you have no responsibilities.”
Nick shook his head no. “It’s not mine.”
“You said that last time when she was pregnant with Joss. Why aren’t you using protection like I taught you? You slip up one time ..and you do it again?” Keanu said in disbelief.
“I know dad. You told me not to fuck up my life when I had football in my career. You told me not to fuck up when I got this new job—“ “Because you make too much damn money and you know Joanna is money hungry.” Keanu said interrupting his son.
“Dad, this baby is not mine.”
“Well…we don’t know that because guess what? You’re still having sex with her. And now you’re lying here in bed, beaten, over your childhood friend. I understand standing up for your friend and standing up for women…but dammit Nicholas…” he paused and grimaced at the thought. He continued, “Leave these women alone. Play the field, wear a condom, and keep it moving. And sweet Jesus, don’t get married.”
Nick looked away from his father and shook his head in disbelief.
A few minutes later, Sandra and Joanna walked back into Nick’s room.
“Hey sweetie! You’re awake.” Sandra said as she walked over to his bed. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. “How are you feeling?” Nick raised his arm and gestured his hand saying ‘so-so’.
“Are you feeling pain? Should I get the nurse or something?” Sandra asked as she leaned over Nick.
“Sandy stop babying him. He’s a grown man.” Keanu stated in annoyance.
“He’s a grown man who is hurt. Now shut up.” Sandra stated firmly. She could feel Nick tug on her arm asking her to stop. She took a deep breath and calmed down.
Sandra and Keanu walked into a corner of the room and continued talking while Joanna stepped up to Nick. Joanna stepped up to Nick and ran her fingers thru his hair. “Hey. So glad to see you’re up. I’ve been so worried about you.”
“Have you seen Sabrina?” Nick asked.
Joanna quietly sighed. “No. I’ve been here all day. She never came by.” she lied.
Nick clenched his jaw muscle and turned away.
“How is he?” Keanu asked as he walked in.
“It’s about time you get here.” Sandra said with a slight attitude.
“I got here as soon as I could. I caught the first flight down here from D.C.”
“Hi, Mr. Lancaster.” Joanna greeted him.
Keanu nodded his head to Joanna in greeting her. “Where’s my grandbaby?” he asked referring to Josslyn.
“She’s back home with my mom.”
Keanu smiled thinking of Josslyn.
He then turned his attention back to Nick who was lying in his bed. “How long has he been out?”
“For a while now.” Sandra said looking at Nick.
Keanu dropped his bags to the floor and walked closer over to Nick. He winced when he saw Nick’s swollen beaten face. “All this over Sabrina, huh?” Keanu whispered placing his hand over Nick's forearm.
“Im going to go get something to eat down stairs. Joanna, you want anything, hun?” Sandra said standing up from her chair.
Joanna slid back into her stiletto shoes and stood up flipping her hair off from around her shoulders. “I’ll come with you.”
Keanu watched both Sandra and Joanna walk out of the hospital room.
Keanu walked around Nick’s bed and sat down in the chair that Sandra was previously sitting in. “Hey, son.” Keanu said patting Nick’s arm. Nick slowly woke up. He turned his head to look over at his father. “Hey dad.” Nick said in a groggy voice.
“What have you gotten yourself into, huh?” Keanu said looking at Nick’s swollen eye.
Nick didn’t respond. He only looked away and up at the television on the wall.
“Stabbed three times…you almost lost your life by losing too much blood.” Keanu said in disbelief. “Who did this to you and why? Have I not taught you anything?”
“Dad, I was jumped. One of them stabbed me. What was I supposed to do?” Nick said in a low groggy husky tone.
“Nicholas…is this really over Sabrina?”
Nick remained silent for a while. He then finally answered, “Yeah.”
“About her being raped?”
Nick nodded yes.
“You almost lost your life, son.”
Nick didn’t respond.
“You must love her…”
Nick remained silent as he looked at the television.
Keanu sighed as he looked at the television of which Nick was looking at. He then turned his attention back to Nick. “How can you love one person, but keep having babies with another?” Keanu asked puzzled.
Nick turned to look at his father and furrowed his eyebrows.
“Your mother told me that Joanna said she was pregnant again. Nicholas, what are you doing? You’re a grown man still behaving like you have no responsibilities.”
Nick shook his head no. “It’s not mine.”
“You said that last time when she was pregnant with Joss. Why aren’t you using protection like I taught you? You slip up one time ..and you do it again?” Keanu said in disbelief.
“I know dad. You told me not to fuck up my life when I had football in my career. You told me not to fuck up when I got this new job—“ “Because you make too much damn money and you know Joanna is money hungry.” Keanu said interrupting his son.
“Dad, this baby is not mine.”
“Well…we don’t know that because guess what? You’re still having sex with her. And now you’re lying here in bed, beaten, over your childhood friend. I understand standing up for your friend and standing up for women…but dammit Nicholas…” he paused and grimaced at the thought. He continued, “Leave these women alone. Play the field, wear a condom, and keep it moving. And sweet Jesus, don’t get married.”
Nick looked away from his father and shook his head in disbelief.
A few minutes later, Sandra and Joanna walked back into Nick’s room.
“Hey sweetie! You’re awake.” Sandra said as she walked over to his bed. She leaned down and kissed his forehead. “How are you feeling?” Nick raised his arm and gestured his hand saying ‘so-so’.
“Are you feeling pain? Should I get the nurse or something?” Sandra asked as she leaned over Nick.
“Sandy stop babying him. He’s a grown man.” Keanu stated in annoyance.
“He’s a grown man who is hurt. Now shut up.” Sandra stated firmly. She could feel Nick tug on her arm asking her to stop. She took a deep breath and calmed down.
Sandra and Keanu walked into a corner of the room and continued talking while Joanna stepped up to Nick. Joanna stepped up to Nick and ran her fingers thru his hair. “Hey. So glad to see you’re up. I’ve been so worried about you.”
“Have you seen Sabrina?” Nick asked.
Joanna quietly sighed. “No. I’ve been here all day. She never came by.” she lied.
Nick clenched his jaw muscle and turned away.
_At that moment, the phone in his hospital room rung. Since
Joanna was right there, she picked up the phone and answered, “Hello?”
“Hi…is this Nicholas Lancaster’s room?”
“Yes.” Joanna responded.
“This is Sabrina…I was just calling to see how he was doing.”
Joanna furrowed her eyebrows and rolled her eyes to hear Sabrina’s voice on the other end. She turned her back so Nick couldn’t hear her. “He’s fine.” Joanna quietly answered.
“That’s great. Is he awake?”
“No. Sorry.”
“Oh…okay. Can you please tell him that Sabrina called?”
“Sure.” Joanna said flatly.
“Who am I speaking with?”
Joanna hung the phone up not wanting to let Sabrina know it was her.
Nick looked up at Joanna. “Who was that?” Nick asked softly.
“My sister, Miley. She told me to tell you hi.” She lied.
“Hi…is this Nicholas Lancaster’s room?”
“Yes.” Joanna responded.
“This is Sabrina…I was just calling to see how he was doing.”
Joanna furrowed her eyebrows and rolled her eyes to hear Sabrina’s voice on the other end. She turned her back so Nick couldn’t hear her. “He’s fine.” Joanna quietly answered.
“That’s great. Is he awake?”
“No. Sorry.”
“Oh…okay. Can you please tell him that Sabrina called?”
“Sure.” Joanna said flatly.
“Who am I speaking with?”
Joanna hung the phone up not wanting to let Sabrina know it was her.
Nick looked up at Joanna. “Who was that?” Nick asked softly.
“My sister, Miley. She told me to tell you hi.” She lied.
_© 2011 CelebritySuperFan
11/29/2011
11/29/2011
Chapter 23
_ Sabrina and her aunt had been in Orlando now, for the whole
week. It was Friday and the prosecutor and the defense team were going to make
their closing arguments in court. Zack’s attorney opted against having Zack
to tell his side of the story on the witness stand. Eva knew that Rob probably felt that she would have
pummeled him on the stand, and would probably ruin the chances of him claiming
his innocence.
_
Sabrina also got word that the police caught Jacob, Roger
and Paul in Atlanta. The police caught on to them when Jacob went to the
hospital to check on his nose. Jacob knew that Nick had broken his nose in the first
punch Nick landed on him. Roger and Paul told him to suck up his pain and to not go to
the doctor, but Jacob couldn’t take it anymore. From the time he went to the
doctor, it was a wrap for the three friends.
The police located Roger at his girlfriend’s house, and the police caught Paul while he was visiting at his mother’s house. All three were now sitting in jail awaiting a trial for their charge of aggravated assault and battery of Nick. Paul was the most cooperative with the police in telling them what they did to Nick. He was the one who told the police that Jacob was the one who stabbed Nick. Jacob always carried a pocket knife on him, and using his poor decision he decided to pull it out and use it on Nick. Nick was the one guy Jacob quietly envied for being so close with everyone in their school. He always felt that Zack and his brother Roger favored to hang out with Nick rather than with him. When Nick broke his nose and overall beat him up, he saw his chance to put his victory mark on Nick once and for all by stabbing him.
Due to the three of them having poor judgment, they missed the opportunity to testify for Zack in court. Zack’s attorney, Rob Patterson, was not able to call on Jacob, Roger, nor Paul to the stand because they were all missing at the time. This was bad for Rob’s defense case.
Nick was still in the hospital recovering from his stab wounds. However, by this time, his face was no longer largely swollen. He still had a black eye, and he still wore stitches on his brow. His bottom lip was no longer swollen, yet you could still see a small scar. Sabrina never went back to the hospital to visit him because she wanted to be alone with him. However, every time she called, his mother or what sounded like Joanna would answer the phone.
Sabrina was so home sick and dearly missed her son. She was glad this was the final day. However before going home, she promised herself that she would go visit Nick no matter who was in his hospital room.
The police located Roger at his girlfriend’s house, and the police caught Paul while he was visiting at his mother’s house. All three were now sitting in jail awaiting a trial for their charge of aggravated assault and battery of Nick. Paul was the most cooperative with the police in telling them what they did to Nick. He was the one who told the police that Jacob was the one who stabbed Nick. Jacob always carried a pocket knife on him, and using his poor decision he decided to pull it out and use it on Nick. Nick was the one guy Jacob quietly envied for being so close with everyone in their school. He always felt that Zack and his brother Roger favored to hang out with Nick rather than with him. When Nick broke his nose and overall beat him up, he saw his chance to put his victory mark on Nick once and for all by stabbing him.
Due to the three of them having poor judgment, they missed the opportunity to testify for Zack in court. Zack’s attorney, Rob Patterson, was not able to call on Jacob, Roger, nor Paul to the stand because they were all missing at the time. This was bad for Rob’s defense case.
Nick was still in the hospital recovering from his stab wounds. However, by this time, his face was no longer largely swollen. He still had a black eye, and he still wore stitches on his brow. His bottom lip was no longer swollen, yet you could still see a small scar. Sabrina never went back to the hospital to visit him because she wanted to be alone with him. However, every time she called, his mother or what sounded like Joanna would answer the phone.
Sabrina was so home sick and dearly missed her son. She was glad this was the final day. However before going home, she promised herself that she would go visit Nick no matter who was in his hospital room.
_ Sabrina sat beside her aunt in the courtroom as the
attorneys await to make their closing statements. Sabrina looked around the
courtroom and saw Josh sitting in the corner far away from the rest of Zack’s
family. It was clear that he had been the black sheep of the family, especially
since he testified against Zack.
Sabrina continued to look around and caught Taylor staring right at her. Victoria was busy whispering something to Taylor, however Taylor didn't seem to interested to hear what she had to say. Taylor's eyes stayed on Sabrina.
Sabrina quickly looked away and stared straight ahead.
Kelly grabbed Sabrina’s hand in comfort. Sabrina gave her aunt a faint smile. She was so grateful to have her aunt there with her. She didn’t know what she would have done if she wasn’t there.
Sabrina continued to look around and caught Taylor staring right at her. Victoria was busy whispering something to Taylor, however Taylor didn't seem to interested to hear what she had to say. Taylor's eyes stayed on Sabrina.
Sabrina quickly looked away and stared straight ahead.
Kelly grabbed Sabrina’s hand in comfort. Sabrina gave her aunt a faint smile. She was so grateful to have her aunt there with her. She didn’t know what she would have done if she wasn’t there.
Att. Rob Patterson & Zack
_ Everyone was asked to rise as the judge made his entrance
into the courtroom and sat in his chair. Once everyone was seated, the judge
proceeded to make all the legal claim statements. He then turned the floor over
to Zack’s attorney to make his case with his closing remarks.
Rob Patterson adjusted his eye glasses on his face and adjusted his tie as he stood.
He started, “Ladies and gentleman of the court. Im going to make this short and simple. My client, Zack Efron is not guilty of these allegations. It has come very clear, that these women who have accused my client were out for revenge, attention, and to redeem themselves from shame. The witness by the name of Demetria wanted revenge and popularity back in her high school and clearly wanted to fit in now, 10 years later. The witness by the name of Sabrina wanted revenge and attention. Let’s remember she had sexual relations with my client’s cousin and bore his child after she claimed to not wanting to have anything to do with my client and his family. Tell me…how does that work? Clearly she wanted to redeem herself from shame. And now we have the plaintiff, Maria. Pure shame. Her cousin tried to pull her away from my client, yet she went away with him anyway. He dropped her off back near the club where her cousin was, and Maria was making the walk of shame. So what did she do? She claimed, rape. Yes, alcohol was involved, and yes, my client is a stunning looking young man that women cant seem to resist. But why claim rape against this man? Is there reasonable doubt? Yes. This man is innocent. Allow this man to walk and live his life happily with his wife and child. Thank you.The defense rests your honor.” Rob finished with a smile.
Rob Patterson adjusted his eye glasses on his face and adjusted his tie as he stood.
He started, “Ladies and gentleman of the court. Im going to make this short and simple. My client, Zack Efron is not guilty of these allegations. It has come very clear, that these women who have accused my client were out for revenge, attention, and to redeem themselves from shame. The witness by the name of Demetria wanted revenge and popularity back in her high school and clearly wanted to fit in now, 10 years later. The witness by the name of Sabrina wanted revenge and attention. Let’s remember she had sexual relations with my client’s cousin and bore his child after she claimed to not wanting to have anything to do with my client and his family. Tell me…how does that work? Clearly she wanted to redeem herself from shame. And now we have the plaintiff, Maria. Pure shame. Her cousin tried to pull her away from my client, yet she went away with him anyway. He dropped her off back near the club where her cousin was, and Maria was making the walk of shame. So what did she do? She claimed, rape. Yes, alcohol was involved, and yes, my client is a stunning looking young man that women cant seem to resist. But why claim rape against this man? Is there reasonable doubt? Yes. This man is innocent. Allow this man to walk and live his life happily with his wife and child. Thank you.The defense rests your honor.” Rob finished with a smile.
Att. Eva Mendez & Maria
_ Judge Alexander looked at Eva awaiting for her to make her
case. Eva shoved her long bang behind her ear and straightened her white blazer
and skirt to match as she stood. She cleared her throat and began.
“Zack Efron is a rapist. He raped my client, Maria. He raped Sabrina Cain, and he raped Demetria Lovasto. You may ask…what do all of these women have in common? Allow me to tell you. Of course there is the obvious…they were all raped by Zack Efron. Second – they all are beautiful young women. Third – they all have dark long hair. And last but not least…they all have a latina background. But what about his wife you may ask? She’s a blonde, blue eyed natural American. Perhaps being with a woman like Sabrina, Demetria or Maria was a secret fetish that Zack Efron holds dear to his heart ever since he allegedly lost his virginity. Reminder…he allegedly lost his virginity by forcing himself on Sabrina by the cheers and rants from his older brother Roger and friend to the family, Paul. Both of whom were considered adults at the time they raped Sabrina at the age of 14. Demetria, was raped by the cheers and rant of his older brother Roger as well. However, Maria’s case was slightly different. For a moment…put yourself or your daughter in Sabrina and Maria’s position. She’s dressed to impress and going out with her closest girlfriends. It’s a social scene so it may be somewhat natural to have a few drinks and just have fun. However, just because you feel that you are dressed to impress and feel sexy having your drink and having fun, do you expect a man to approach you and not understand when your ‘no’ means ‘no’? …. Or…Because the way you’re dressed, does that give this man, the right to sexually assault you? … Or…Because you are incoherent, does that mean he can take advantage of you?”
She paused allowing the jury to take in what she asked.
She then finally continued, “No. The answers to those questions would be, no. Now, what about being in Demetria’s position. Does your boyfriend or your daughter’s boyfriend have the right to hit you when he wants to? Just because he is your boyfriend does he have the right to force himself on you whenever he wants to? …. No. When she says ‘no’…her ‘no’ means ‘no’. That’s another thing all of these girls have in common? They all told Zack Efron ‘no’. They yelled ‘stop’. However, Zack kept going. Notice the chain links from Zack to Sabrina. According to his cousin Josh, Zack always talked about Sabrina thru out all of these years. He secretly wanted her. Perhaps he thought that Demetria and Maria were Sabrina. Notice the timeline. He raped Sabrina his freshman year in High School. He raped Demi his senior year in high school the day Demetria and the cheerleading squad were making banners for the school pep ralley. One small detail – Sabrina and her peers from art class were in the process of finishing a mural in the cafeteria where the football team had to walk by daily to get to and from the school football field. And then 10 years later, after seeing Sabrina at their Class of 2001 high school reunion, Zack goes to a club that night after their formal dinner and who catches his eye? A girl who resembles Sabrina. And what happens to her? He rapes her. He drove Maria to a secluded area and attacked her in his car. He nearly strangles Maria to death with his bare hands as he forces himself onto her. And when he was done with her…he took her back to the block the club was on and drove off allowing the dust to kick up onto her body because he sped off so quickly. Did the strangling part sound familiar? Yes, because he nearly strangled Demetria as he forced himself on her inside of a car as well. Zack’s brother Roger nearly suffocates Sabrina with a pillow as Zack forces himself on her. Maria said in her testimony that she asked herself, ‘why me ,God?’ She said, ‘Out of all the beautiful women in the club, who flirted with him like any other girl did with him and his friends, why did he come for me?’
Ladies and gentleman, Zack is a sick young man and he is a rapist. After seeing Sabrina this week in this courtroom…are we just going to allow him to go free so he can continue to rape another girl who resembles her like Maria was? Let’s put a stop to this. Zack Efron is a rapist. He. Is. Guilty. Guilty.” Eva walked back over to the table that her legal assistant, Christopher and her client Maria sat.
Silence filled the courtroom.
Judge Alexander spoke saying a few things and demanded that the court be in recess until the jury of the court came to a verdict.
---------
Moments later, Kelly, Sabrina, Eva, Christopher and Maria sat in a nearby cafeteria getting something to eat. They made small talk awaiting the jury to make their decision. Sabrina looked at her watch and saw that it was close to the time for Cody to get out of school. “Excuse me guys, Im going to make a phone call to check on Cody.”
As Sabrina walked outside to call Cody she sat down at one of the tables on the curb. “Hey mom!” Cody answered.
“Hey! How was school today?”
“Great! You are not going to believe this…but I have homework! On a Friday!”
Sabrina smiled at his total shock. “That’s crazy!”
“I knowwww!”
Sabrina laughed. “Cody, baby I miss you sooooo much!”
“I miss you too! When are you coming home?”
“Your aunt Kelly and I will try to catch a flight home tonight. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow.”
“Woohoo!! I can’t wait for you to come home! We should celebrate or something. Something like icecream!”
Sabrina laughed. “I totally agree!”
Sabrina saw a familiar face walking down the sidewalk approaching her. It was Josh. Sabrina’s smile quickly faded. “Well, sweetie I have to go now. Tell Derek I said hi for me. I love you.”
“I love you more. Bye.”
Sabrina ended her call and stood up about to walk back inside the restaurant.
“Sabrina wait!” Josh said walking faster to catch up with her.
Sabrina took a deep breath and slowly turned around. “Hi.” Sabrina gave him a faint smile.
“I thought I saw you across the way.”
“Yep. It’s me.” Sabrina replied flatly.
“I heard about your friend in the hospital. Im sorry about how dumb my cousin Roger is.”
“Yeah well…apparently Jacob was the one who stabbed Nick.” Sabrina said avoiding eye contact with Josh.
“Yeah…what a dick.”
“Listen, Josh…thanks for testifying against Zack. Im sure it was difficult when it’s your family and all.”
“Yeah..well…you’re my family too. I mean…you’re the mother of my son.”
Sabrina looked up at Josh as the sun shined brightly in the sky forcing her to squint as she looked at him. She had to admit, he looked handsome under the sunlight wearing his shirt and tie.
“When are you going back to Atlanta?” he asked interrupting her thoughts.
Sabrina cleared her throat. “If not tonight…definitely tomorrow morning.”
“Im leaving in the morning too. Back to L.A. If you’re not going home tonight…maybe we can get together later. That is…if you want. I don’t know…I guess im just hoping that you call Cody later, or Cody calls you and I happen to be around just so I can at least hear his voice.” Josh grinned showing his dimples at Sabrina.
Sabrina looked away and smiled. She ran her fingers thru her hair and looked back up at Josh. “Okay. But…only if we’re not able to leave tonight.”
Josh gave her a broad smile. “I’ll take that. Can I call you?”
Sabrina squinted up at him not sure if she should or not. She hesitated. She finally answered yes.
Soon after, she saw her aunt and everyone else come out of the cafeteria. She looked at her aunt looking for answers. “What’s going on?” “The jury has reached a verdict. Let’s go.” Kelly grabbed Sabrina’s hand.
Sabrina turned to look back at Josh. “Are you coming?”
“Nah. I think I will stay outside the courtroom.”
Sabrina continued to look at Josh as Kelly pulled on her arm for her to follow the crowd back over to the courtshouse.
------------
Sabrina held on tightly to her aunt’s hand as the jury walked in. Sabrina looked over at Taylor who looked like she had been crying. Victoria had her arm wrapped around her in comfort. Sabrina looked at Kelly. Kelly gave her a faint smile and held her hand tighter.
“You may all be seated.” The judge announced to the courtroom. “Let me have the jury foreman please step up.”
An older woman, who apparently was the foreman, stepped up and cleared her throat.
Judge Alexander continued, “Has the jury reached a verdict?”
“We have your honor.” the older woman answered.
Silence filled the room allowing the suspense to torture the crowd that filled the courtroom. The judge read the verdict from a piece of paper and handed it back over to the baliff for the juror foreman to read allowed the verdict.
“Let me just say that there will be no outbursts at the sound of the verdict. If there are any, you will be immediately removed. Foreman, you may go ahead and read the verdict.” Judge Alexander stated as he took his eye glasses off.
“We the jury, find the defendant, Zack Efron…in the charge of first degree sexual assualt and rape against the accusing person Maria Hudgens…Guilty...” The woman’s voice trailed off.
Kelly quietly wrapped her arm around Sabrina’s shoulder pulling her in for a hug. She whispered in her ear, “You did it baby girl. You did it.” Sabrina smiled as tears welled in her eyes tightly embracing her aunt. Sabrina glanced over at Taylor who kept her head down. It appeared that she was crying as Victoria hovered over her trying to quietly comfort her.
Once the court was dismissed allowing everyone to go their separate ways, Sabrina saw the sheriff escort Zack thru another door with his hands cuffed behind his back. Maria hugged Eva and Christopher and then turned to look for Sabrina. She made her way over to Sabrina and quickly wrapped her arms around her. “This couldn’t have been done without you! Thank you so much!”
“You’re welcome.” Sabrina smiled back welcoming her embrace.
Eva approached Sabrina as well and hugged her tightly. “Thank you for telling your story.”
“Thank you for giving me the courage.” Sabrina eyes darted to Rob Patterson who was approaching closely up to Eva.
Eva turned to look at him. He smiled extending his hand out to her. “Congratulations Eva. That closing statement was very well said. Who knew you had that much in you.” Rob smirked.
Eva chuckled. “Surprise, surprise asshole. Never underestimate me.” She said shaking his hand welcoming his gratitude.
He smiled and walked away.
“Let’s celebrate!” Christopher said grabbing his coat.
“That's sounds great and all, but I think we have to try and get home, and get some rest.” Kelly said tossing her hair behind her shoulder. “Oh, and your friend, Nick. How is he?” Eva asked.
“Last I checked he was doing a lot better.” Sabrina responded.
“Excellent. Let me know if you all need anything. If Nick needs an attorney…give me a buzz.” Eva winked at Sabrina.
“Thank you.” Sabrina smiled.
“When will they decide how long he will be sentenced to jail?” Kelly asked concerned.
“Next Tuesday. We should know something by then. I will definitely let you guys know.”
------------------
“Zack Efron is a rapist. He raped my client, Maria. He raped Sabrina Cain, and he raped Demetria Lovasto. You may ask…what do all of these women have in common? Allow me to tell you. Of course there is the obvious…they were all raped by Zack Efron. Second – they all are beautiful young women. Third – they all have dark long hair. And last but not least…they all have a latina background. But what about his wife you may ask? She’s a blonde, blue eyed natural American. Perhaps being with a woman like Sabrina, Demetria or Maria was a secret fetish that Zack Efron holds dear to his heart ever since he allegedly lost his virginity. Reminder…he allegedly lost his virginity by forcing himself on Sabrina by the cheers and rants from his older brother Roger and friend to the family, Paul. Both of whom were considered adults at the time they raped Sabrina at the age of 14. Demetria, was raped by the cheers and rant of his older brother Roger as well. However, Maria’s case was slightly different. For a moment…put yourself or your daughter in Sabrina and Maria’s position. She’s dressed to impress and going out with her closest girlfriends. It’s a social scene so it may be somewhat natural to have a few drinks and just have fun. However, just because you feel that you are dressed to impress and feel sexy having your drink and having fun, do you expect a man to approach you and not understand when your ‘no’ means ‘no’? …. Or…Because the way you’re dressed, does that give this man, the right to sexually assault you? … Or…Because you are incoherent, does that mean he can take advantage of you?”
She paused allowing the jury to take in what she asked.
She then finally continued, “No. The answers to those questions would be, no. Now, what about being in Demetria’s position. Does your boyfriend or your daughter’s boyfriend have the right to hit you when he wants to? Just because he is your boyfriend does he have the right to force himself on you whenever he wants to? …. No. When she says ‘no’…her ‘no’ means ‘no’. That’s another thing all of these girls have in common? They all told Zack Efron ‘no’. They yelled ‘stop’. However, Zack kept going. Notice the chain links from Zack to Sabrina. According to his cousin Josh, Zack always talked about Sabrina thru out all of these years. He secretly wanted her. Perhaps he thought that Demetria and Maria were Sabrina. Notice the timeline. He raped Sabrina his freshman year in High School. He raped Demi his senior year in high school the day Demetria and the cheerleading squad were making banners for the school pep ralley. One small detail – Sabrina and her peers from art class were in the process of finishing a mural in the cafeteria where the football team had to walk by daily to get to and from the school football field. And then 10 years later, after seeing Sabrina at their Class of 2001 high school reunion, Zack goes to a club that night after their formal dinner and who catches his eye? A girl who resembles Sabrina. And what happens to her? He rapes her. He drove Maria to a secluded area and attacked her in his car. He nearly strangles Maria to death with his bare hands as he forces himself onto her. And when he was done with her…he took her back to the block the club was on and drove off allowing the dust to kick up onto her body because he sped off so quickly. Did the strangling part sound familiar? Yes, because he nearly strangled Demetria as he forced himself on her inside of a car as well. Zack’s brother Roger nearly suffocates Sabrina with a pillow as Zack forces himself on her. Maria said in her testimony that she asked herself, ‘why me ,God?’ She said, ‘Out of all the beautiful women in the club, who flirted with him like any other girl did with him and his friends, why did he come for me?’
Ladies and gentleman, Zack is a sick young man and he is a rapist. After seeing Sabrina this week in this courtroom…are we just going to allow him to go free so he can continue to rape another girl who resembles her like Maria was? Let’s put a stop to this. Zack Efron is a rapist. He. Is. Guilty. Guilty.” Eva walked back over to the table that her legal assistant, Christopher and her client Maria sat.
Silence filled the courtroom.
Judge Alexander spoke saying a few things and demanded that the court be in recess until the jury of the court came to a verdict.
---------
Moments later, Kelly, Sabrina, Eva, Christopher and Maria sat in a nearby cafeteria getting something to eat. They made small talk awaiting the jury to make their decision. Sabrina looked at her watch and saw that it was close to the time for Cody to get out of school. “Excuse me guys, Im going to make a phone call to check on Cody.”
As Sabrina walked outside to call Cody she sat down at one of the tables on the curb. “Hey mom!” Cody answered.
“Hey! How was school today?”
“Great! You are not going to believe this…but I have homework! On a Friday!”
Sabrina smiled at his total shock. “That’s crazy!”
“I knowwww!”
Sabrina laughed. “Cody, baby I miss you sooooo much!”
“I miss you too! When are you coming home?”
“Your aunt Kelly and I will try to catch a flight home tonight. If not tonight, definitely tomorrow.”
“Woohoo!! I can’t wait for you to come home! We should celebrate or something. Something like icecream!”
Sabrina laughed. “I totally agree!”
Sabrina saw a familiar face walking down the sidewalk approaching her. It was Josh. Sabrina’s smile quickly faded. “Well, sweetie I have to go now. Tell Derek I said hi for me. I love you.”
“I love you more. Bye.”
Sabrina ended her call and stood up about to walk back inside the restaurant.
“Sabrina wait!” Josh said walking faster to catch up with her.
Sabrina took a deep breath and slowly turned around. “Hi.” Sabrina gave him a faint smile.
“I thought I saw you across the way.”
“Yep. It’s me.” Sabrina replied flatly.
“I heard about your friend in the hospital. Im sorry about how dumb my cousin Roger is.”
“Yeah well…apparently Jacob was the one who stabbed Nick.” Sabrina said avoiding eye contact with Josh.
“Yeah…what a dick.”
“Listen, Josh…thanks for testifying against Zack. Im sure it was difficult when it’s your family and all.”
“Yeah..well…you’re my family too. I mean…you’re the mother of my son.”
Sabrina looked up at Josh as the sun shined brightly in the sky forcing her to squint as she looked at him. She had to admit, he looked handsome under the sunlight wearing his shirt and tie.
“When are you going back to Atlanta?” he asked interrupting her thoughts.
Sabrina cleared her throat. “If not tonight…definitely tomorrow morning.”
“Im leaving in the morning too. Back to L.A. If you’re not going home tonight…maybe we can get together later. That is…if you want. I don’t know…I guess im just hoping that you call Cody later, or Cody calls you and I happen to be around just so I can at least hear his voice.” Josh grinned showing his dimples at Sabrina.
Sabrina looked away and smiled. She ran her fingers thru her hair and looked back up at Josh. “Okay. But…only if we’re not able to leave tonight.”
Josh gave her a broad smile. “I’ll take that. Can I call you?”
Sabrina squinted up at him not sure if she should or not. She hesitated. She finally answered yes.
Soon after, she saw her aunt and everyone else come out of the cafeteria. She looked at her aunt looking for answers. “What’s going on?” “The jury has reached a verdict. Let’s go.” Kelly grabbed Sabrina’s hand.
Sabrina turned to look back at Josh. “Are you coming?”
“Nah. I think I will stay outside the courtroom.”
Sabrina continued to look at Josh as Kelly pulled on her arm for her to follow the crowd back over to the courtshouse.
------------
Sabrina held on tightly to her aunt’s hand as the jury walked in. Sabrina looked over at Taylor who looked like she had been crying. Victoria had her arm wrapped around her in comfort. Sabrina looked at Kelly. Kelly gave her a faint smile and held her hand tighter.
“You may all be seated.” The judge announced to the courtroom. “Let me have the jury foreman please step up.”
An older woman, who apparently was the foreman, stepped up and cleared her throat.
Judge Alexander continued, “Has the jury reached a verdict?”
“We have your honor.” the older woman answered.
Silence filled the room allowing the suspense to torture the crowd that filled the courtroom. The judge read the verdict from a piece of paper and handed it back over to the baliff for the juror foreman to read allowed the verdict.
“Let me just say that there will be no outbursts at the sound of the verdict. If there are any, you will be immediately removed. Foreman, you may go ahead and read the verdict.” Judge Alexander stated as he took his eye glasses off.
“We the jury, find the defendant, Zack Efron…in the charge of first degree sexual assualt and rape against the accusing person Maria Hudgens…Guilty...” The woman’s voice trailed off.
Kelly quietly wrapped her arm around Sabrina’s shoulder pulling her in for a hug. She whispered in her ear, “You did it baby girl. You did it.” Sabrina smiled as tears welled in her eyes tightly embracing her aunt. Sabrina glanced over at Taylor who kept her head down. It appeared that she was crying as Victoria hovered over her trying to quietly comfort her.
Once the court was dismissed allowing everyone to go their separate ways, Sabrina saw the sheriff escort Zack thru another door with his hands cuffed behind his back. Maria hugged Eva and Christopher and then turned to look for Sabrina. She made her way over to Sabrina and quickly wrapped her arms around her. “This couldn’t have been done without you! Thank you so much!”
“You’re welcome.” Sabrina smiled back welcoming her embrace.
Eva approached Sabrina as well and hugged her tightly. “Thank you for telling your story.”
“Thank you for giving me the courage.” Sabrina eyes darted to Rob Patterson who was approaching closely up to Eva.
Eva turned to look at him. He smiled extending his hand out to her. “Congratulations Eva. That closing statement was very well said. Who knew you had that much in you.” Rob smirked.
Eva chuckled. “Surprise, surprise asshole. Never underestimate me.” She said shaking his hand welcoming his gratitude.
He smiled and walked away.
“Let’s celebrate!” Christopher said grabbing his coat.
“That's sounds great and all, but I think we have to try and get home, and get some rest.” Kelly said tossing her hair behind her shoulder. “Oh, and your friend, Nick. How is he?” Eva asked.
“Last I checked he was doing a lot better.” Sabrina responded.
“Excellent. Let me know if you all need anything. If Nick needs an attorney…give me a buzz.” Eva winked at Sabrina.
“Thank you.” Sabrina smiled.
“When will they decide how long he will be sentenced to jail?” Kelly asked concerned.
“Next Tuesday. We should know something by then. I will definitely let you guys know.”
------------------
Sabrina's outfit
_ It was now almost 7pm that same evening. Sabrina had just changed into some clothes that her and Kelly had
bought to wear thru out the week since they had to spend so many days there in Orlando. She wore a neon
yellow short sleeved v-neck fitted tee, which features the word ‘love’ graphic
with beach scenery that showed a little cleavage. She wore a pair of short blue
jean shorts and wore her black flip flops. She walked out of the bathroom of
the hotel they had been staying in and saw Kelly searching on her ipad for a
flight home.
“Any luck? Are we going home tonight?”
Kelly looked up at Sabrina giving her a disappointed expression. “No. The best thing we could get is a flight early tomorrow morning.”
Sabrina pulled her hair back and held it up into a ponytail and stared blankly at her aunt. “Well that sucks.”
“Im sorry.”
Sabrina placed her hands down to her side allowing her hair to flop down and flow around her shoulders as she sighed.
“Maybe we can go visit Nick tomorrow before leaving for our flight in the morning?” Kelly said shutting down her ipad and sounding tired. “Uhm…yeah maybe. I think Im going to try and visit him tonight.”
“Tonight? I don't know Brin...Im really tired.”
“It's okay. I don't mind going alone."
"Alone?"
"Yeah. I think I will be fine. There's, no Jacob, Roger, Paul or Zack around to bother me.”
Kelly sighed. “I don’t know Brin. I don’t want anything bad to happen.”
“Aunt Kelly, nothing will happen. Im an adult. I know how to take care of myself.”
Kelly stared at Sabrina in deep thoughts. She then stood up to give Sabrina a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Be careful, Brin. Please.”
“Okay.” Sabrina smiled and picked up her purse.
“Any luck? Are we going home tonight?”
Kelly looked up at Sabrina giving her a disappointed expression. “No. The best thing we could get is a flight early tomorrow morning.”
Sabrina pulled her hair back and held it up into a ponytail and stared blankly at her aunt. “Well that sucks.”
“Im sorry.”
Sabrina placed her hands down to her side allowing her hair to flop down and flow around her shoulders as she sighed.
“Maybe we can go visit Nick tomorrow before leaving for our flight in the morning?” Kelly said shutting down her ipad and sounding tired. “Uhm…yeah maybe. I think Im going to try and visit him tonight.”
“Tonight? I don't know Brin...Im really tired.”
“It's okay. I don't mind going alone."
"Alone?"
"Yeah. I think I will be fine. There's, no Jacob, Roger, Paul or Zack around to bother me.”
Kelly sighed. “I don’t know Brin. I don’t want anything bad to happen.”
“Aunt Kelly, nothing will happen. Im an adult. I know how to take care of myself.”
Kelly stared at Sabrina in deep thoughts. She then stood up to give Sabrina a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Be careful, Brin. Please.”
“Okay.” Sabrina smiled and picked up her purse.
Orlando Regional Medical Center Hosp & Nurse Brenda
_ Moments later, Sabrina found herself walking to Nick’s
hospital room. Sabrina heard a nurse tell another person, “Im sorry hun…but
visiting hours are over.”
Sabrina managed to sneak by the confronting nurse and the patron as she quickly hopped onto the elevator up to Nick’s room.
Sabrina took a deep breath before knocking on his door. She hoped and prayed that his mother was not there and especially Joanna. Sabrina knocked and peeked thru the door. Nick was alone with a nurse. Sabrina breathed a sigh of relief. The nurse turned around to see Sabrina standing at the door.
“Hello there! Come on in.” she said with a broad smile.
Sabrina smiled faintly and walked further into the room.
Nick peeked around the nurse to see who was coming in. He saw Sabrina and thought she looked like a beautiful sunshine walking into his room. He rested his head back on the pillow as the nurse continued to tend to him.
“Make yourself comfortable. Im about to leave. Im just changing the dressing on his wounds here.” The nurse said in a matter of fact tone.
Nick winced in pain as she maneuvered a few things over his wound.
“Ouch…does it hurt?” Sabrina asked as she folded her arms watching the nurse do her job.
“No.” Nick responded trying to sound tough.
The nurse chuckled and looked over at Sarbina. “That’s not what he was saying a few minutes ago.”
Sabrina smiled.
The nurse continued as she pulled the blankets back over Nick. She continued with a smile, “Don’t worry, Nick. I know how it is when a pretty girl walks into your room. You have to be tough like a man.” she teased.
“I was tough when you walked in.” Nick grinned at the nurse.
The nurse laughed out loud. “Too late Romeo. But I’ll take it. Flattery will get you everywhere.” The nurse wrote a couple of things down and turned to Sabrina. “Now normally, visiting hours are over. But you're family so it’s okay.” She winked at Sabrina as if wanting her to play along. She didn’t know if Sabrina was family or not, but she figured why turned this young woman away if she came all this way to see her patient, Nick. She continued, “My name is Brenda, and Im going to be his nurse for the night. If you need anything let me know.” She turned back around to look at Nick. “Okay, handsome? Push that button if you need me.”
Nick smiled at her. “Yes ma’am.”
Nurse Brenda smiled at the two and walked out of the room leaving Nick and Sabrina alone.
Sabrina put her purse down in an empty chair and walked up slowly to Nick. “Hi.”
“Hey.” Nick said as he looked at her up and down.
“You look good. You seem to be doing a lot better.” Sabrina smiled as she re-folded her arms across her chest.
“Thanks. Yeah, everyone is pretty nice up here and they seem to be taking care of me.”
“Well, that’s great.”
Nick stared at her in silence.
“I have good news.” Sabrina paused waiting for Nick’s response.
He remained silent.
“Zack was found guilty. He’s in jail but I don’t know for how long yet. The judge will give his complete sentencing by next Tuesday.”
“That’s good. That bastard deserves it.”
“Yep.” Sabrina said as she pushed a few strands of hair behind her ear.
She glanced around at his get well cards, and balloons. She suddenly felt really bad that she came empty-handed. She cleared her throat. “So, when will they discharge you?”
“Hopefully in two more days…the least.”
“That’s great.”
“Thanks for finally coming to visit me before I leave out of here.”
“Of course I would. I was here when you had your surgery…remember?”
“No I don’t.” Nick said flatly.
“Yeah. You probably don’t remember since you were drugged up on medication and really out of it.” Sabrina said dropping her hands down on his bed railing.
“I was told that you weren’t here.” Nick replied flatly staring up at her intently.
Sabrina sensed a little attitude coming from him as she stared back at him.
“Nick, Kelly and I were here. I was here when your mother was up here and your daughter’s mother, Joanna. Im surprised they didn’t tell you. Well…actually Im not surprised.”
“What are you trying to say?” Nick said sounding offended.
Sabrina was caught by surprise by his slight anger.
“Are you mad at me or something?” Sabrina asked confused.
Nick looked away from her and looked up at the television screen. “No.” Nick said in a dry tone.
Sabrina took a deep breath and held Nick’s hand. “I’ve been thinking about you. I’ve kept you in my prayers and everything. Did you hear about Jacob, Roger and Paul?”
“Yeah. Liam told me.”
“Liam’s here?”
Nick nodded his head yes. “He went with my dad and Joanna to get something to eat. They should be back in any minute now.”
“Oh. Okay. Where’s your mom?”
“She went to get some rest back at the hotel.” Nick responded dryly.
“Oh…okay.”
Sabrina didn’t know what else to say. She really didn’t want to be there when Joanna got back.
“Well…I wasn’t going to stay long. I just wanted to check on you since every time I called, you were sleeping.”
Nick looked up at her. “You called?”
“Yes. I admit I slacked up a bit, but, I called.”
Nick remained silent as he continued to look up at her. He then asked, “Where are you rushing off to?”
Sabrina slowly smiled. “You probably wont believe me, but I’ve been thinking about what you said about Cody’s father. So…Im going to go meet up with him for dinner tonight.”
“Josh?” Nick asked in shock and slightly upset.
Sabrina paused and hesitated at his response. “Yes. Why? What’s wrong with that? I thought you said—“
“What-the fuck-ever. It doesn’t matter. You’re gonna do what you want to do anyway, right?”
Sabrina frowned and cocked her head to the side. “Nick, what’s wrong? What is your problem?”
“Doesn’t matter. Thanks for dropping in on me.” Nick said looking back at the television. He moved his hand away from her grasp.
Sabrina was confused. She furrowed her eyebrows and folded her arms across her chest. “Nick, are you upset with me about something? If so…I don’t understand why. If anything I should be upset with you.”
“No, Brin. You’re perfect. You don’t do anything wrong. It’s all about you. Have fun on your little dinner date.” Nick said sarcastically with a frown avoiding her eye contact.
Sabrina slightly pouted. She started to get upset but thought now wasn't the time to argue.
“Nick…Im not going to argue with you –“
“Heyyyy! If it isn’t the little Sabrina Cain. She’s all grown up now.” Keanu, Nick’s dad, loudly interrupted Sabrina as he walked thru the door into Nick’s room.
Sabrina turned around and smiled lightly at Keanu. Liam and Joanna were close behind him. Keanu walked up to her and gave her a warm hug. “Good to see you dear.”
Sabrina welcomed the hug.
Once they pulled away, Liam hugged Sabrina as well. “Hey, what’s up.” Liam said with a smile as he hugged her.
Joanna only glared at Sabrina and walked over to Nick’s bed.
“We were wondering if you were ever going to come visit Nick.” Keanu said with a smile.
“Oh…well I was here before. I guess I just missed you.” Sabrina planted a fake smile on her face.
“Yeah, but she was just leaving. Thanks for coming by Brin.” Nick said sarcastically in a mean tone.
Sabrina darted her eyes back over to Nick with a hurt look on her face. She felt like he was now kicking her out. She looked at Joanna who was now adjusting Nick’s pillow. Joanna smirked at Sabrina. Sabrina’s eyes lowered down to Joanna’s belly thinking about the fact that his baby was growing inside of her.
Sabrina found herself getting angry instead of hurt. She cleared her throat as she walked over to the chair she had sat her purse in. “Uhmm..yeah. I should go. It was good to see you again Mr. Lancaster.”
“Likewise sweetie.” Keanu responded.
Sabrina faintly smiled at Liam and headed for the door without looking back at Nick.
Liam noticed the frustrated look on Nick’s face. “Everything alright?”
“Yep.” Nick said avoiding everyone’s eyes.
“Babe, you want some fries?” Joanna asked Nick sweetly.
“No thanks.” Nick replied back in a soft tone.
“Sabrina has really grown into a beautiful woman. I wish her nothing but the best.” Keanu said thinking about Sabrina. He then saw the slightly disturbed expression on Nick’s face. His son was upset, but he wasn’t sure why.
TO BE CONTINUED ... ***CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE TO CHAPTER 24***
Sabrina managed to sneak by the confronting nurse and the patron as she quickly hopped onto the elevator up to Nick’s room.
Sabrina took a deep breath before knocking on his door. She hoped and prayed that his mother was not there and especially Joanna. Sabrina knocked and peeked thru the door. Nick was alone with a nurse. Sabrina breathed a sigh of relief. The nurse turned around to see Sabrina standing at the door.
“Hello there! Come on in.” she said with a broad smile.
Sabrina smiled faintly and walked further into the room.
Nick peeked around the nurse to see who was coming in. He saw Sabrina and thought she looked like a beautiful sunshine walking into his room. He rested his head back on the pillow as the nurse continued to tend to him.
“Make yourself comfortable. Im about to leave. Im just changing the dressing on his wounds here.” The nurse said in a matter of fact tone.
Nick winced in pain as she maneuvered a few things over his wound.
“Ouch…does it hurt?” Sabrina asked as she folded her arms watching the nurse do her job.
“No.” Nick responded trying to sound tough.
The nurse chuckled and looked over at Sarbina. “That’s not what he was saying a few minutes ago.”
Sabrina smiled.
The nurse continued as she pulled the blankets back over Nick. She continued with a smile, “Don’t worry, Nick. I know how it is when a pretty girl walks into your room. You have to be tough like a man.” she teased.
“I was tough when you walked in.” Nick grinned at the nurse.
The nurse laughed out loud. “Too late Romeo. But I’ll take it. Flattery will get you everywhere.” The nurse wrote a couple of things down and turned to Sabrina. “Now normally, visiting hours are over. But you're family so it’s okay.” She winked at Sabrina as if wanting her to play along. She didn’t know if Sabrina was family or not, but she figured why turned this young woman away if she came all this way to see her patient, Nick. She continued, “My name is Brenda, and Im going to be his nurse for the night. If you need anything let me know.” She turned back around to look at Nick. “Okay, handsome? Push that button if you need me.”
Nick smiled at her. “Yes ma’am.”
Nurse Brenda smiled at the two and walked out of the room leaving Nick and Sabrina alone.
Sabrina put her purse down in an empty chair and walked up slowly to Nick. “Hi.”
“Hey.” Nick said as he looked at her up and down.
“You look good. You seem to be doing a lot better.” Sabrina smiled as she re-folded her arms across her chest.
“Thanks. Yeah, everyone is pretty nice up here and they seem to be taking care of me.”
“Well, that’s great.”
Nick stared at her in silence.
“I have good news.” Sabrina paused waiting for Nick’s response.
He remained silent.
“Zack was found guilty. He’s in jail but I don’t know for how long yet. The judge will give his complete sentencing by next Tuesday.”
“That’s good. That bastard deserves it.”
“Yep.” Sabrina said as she pushed a few strands of hair behind her ear.
She glanced around at his get well cards, and balloons. She suddenly felt really bad that she came empty-handed. She cleared her throat. “So, when will they discharge you?”
“Hopefully in two more days…the least.”
“That’s great.”
“Thanks for finally coming to visit me before I leave out of here.”
“Of course I would. I was here when you had your surgery…remember?”
“No I don’t.” Nick said flatly.
“Yeah. You probably don’t remember since you were drugged up on medication and really out of it.” Sabrina said dropping her hands down on his bed railing.
“I was told that you weren’t here.” Nick replied flatly staring up at her intently.
Sabrina sensed a little attitude coming from him as she stared back at him.
“Nick, Kelly and I were here. I was here when your mother was up here and your daughter’s mother, Joanna. Im surprised they didn’t tell you. Well…actually Im not surprised.”
“What are you trying to say?” Nick said sounding offended.
Sabrina was caught by surprise by his slight anger.
“Are you mad at me or something?” Sabrina asked confused.
Nick looked away from her and looked up at the television screen. “No.” Nick said in a dry tone.
Sabrina took a deep breath and held Nick’s hand. “I’ve been thinking about you. I’ve kept you in my prayers and everything. Did you hear about Jacob, Roger and Paul?”
“Yeah. Liam told me.”
“Liam’s here?”
Nick nodded his head yes. “He went with my dad and Joanna to get something to eat. They should be back in any minute now.”
“Oh. Okay. Where’s your mom?”
“She went to get some rest back at the hotel.” Nick responded dryly.
“Oh…okay.”
Sabrina didn’t know what else to say. She really didn’t want to be there when Joanna got back.
“Well…I wasn’t going to stay long. I just wanted to check on you since every time I called, you were sleeping.”
Nick looked up at her. “You called?”
“Yes. I admit I slacked up a bit, but, I called.”
Nick remained silent as he continued to look up at her. He then asked, “Where are you rushing off to?”
Sabrina slowly smiled. “You probably wont believe me, but I’ve been thinking about what you said about Cody’s father. So…Im going to go meet up with him for dinner tonight.”
“Josh?” Nick asked in shock and slightly upset.
Sabrina paused and hesitated at his response. “Yes. Why? What’s wrong with that? I thought you said—“
“What-the fuck-ever. It doesn’t matter. You’re gonna do what you want to do anyway, right?”
Sabrina frowned and cocked her head to the side. “Nick, what’s wrong? What is your problem?”
“Doesn’t matter. Thanks for dropping in on me.” Nick said looking back at the television. He moved his hand away from her grasp.
Sabrina was confused. She furrowed her eyebrows and folded her arms across her chest. “Nick, are you upset with me about something? If so…I don’t understand why. If anything I should be upset with you.”
“No, Brin. You’re perfect. You don’t do anything wrong. It’s all about you. Have fun on your little dinner date.” Nick said sarcastically with a frown avoiding her eye contact.
Sabrina slightly pouted. She started to get upset but thought now wasn't the time to argue.
“Nick…Im not going to argue with you –“
“Heyyyy! If it isn’t the little Sabrina Cain. She’s all grown up now.” Keanu, Nick’s dad, loudly interrupted Sabrina as he walked thru the door into Nick’s room.
Sabrina turned around and smiled lightly at Keanu. Liam and Joanna were close behind him. Keanu walked up to her and gave her a warm hug. “Good to see you dear.”
Sabrina welcomed the hug.
Once they pulled away, Liam hugged Sabrina as well. “Hey, what’s up.” Liam said with a smile as he hugged her.
Joanna only glared at Sabrina and walked over to Nick’s bed.
“We were wondering if you were ever going to come visit Nick.” Keanu said with a smile.
“Oh…well I was here before. I guess I just missed you.” Sabrina planted a fake smile on her face.
“Yeah, but she was just leaving. Thanks for coming by Brin.” Nick said sarcastically in a mean tone.
Sabrina darted her eyes back over to Nick with a hurt look on her face. She felt like he was now kicking her out. She looked at Joanna who was now adjusting Nick’s pillow. Joanna smirked at Sabrina. Sabrina’s eyes lowered down to Joanna’s belly thinking about the fact that his baby was growing inside of her.
Sabrina found herself getting angry instead of hurt. She cleared her throat as she walked over to the chair she had sat her purse in. “Uhmm..yeah. I should go. It was good to see you again Mr. Lancaster.”
“Likewise sweetie.” Keanu responded.
Sabrina faintly smiled at Liam and headed for the door without looking back at Nick.
Liam noticed the frustrated look on Nick’s face. “Everything alright?”
“Yep.” Nick said avoiding everyone’s eyes.
“Babe, you want some fries?” Joanna asked Nick sweetly.
“No thanks.” Nick replied back in a soft tone.
“Sabrina has really grown into a beautiful woman. I wish her nothing but the best.” Keanu said thinking about Sabrina. He then saw the slightly disturbed expression on Nick’s face. His son was upset, but he wasn’t sure why.
TO BE CONTINUED ... ***CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE TO CHAPTER 24***
_© 2011 CelebritySuperFan
12/03/2011
12/03/2011