Chapter 15 - THE CHILD ADVOCACY ROOM
The judge allowed my testimony through a child-friendly courtroom arrangement.
I would sit in a smaller room with the judge, attorneys, and support person. The jury would watch by secure video.
Veronica could see me on a monitor.
I would not see her unless I chose.
I chose not to.
Before trial, a forensic interviewer reviewed how questions worked.
“If you do not understand, say so.”
“If you do not know, say so.”
“If someone says something wrong, correct it.”
“What if they get angry?”
“They may sound firm. No one can punish you for an answer.”
Veronica had taught the opposite.
Dr. Chen helped me practice.
The prosecutor asked:
“What did Veronica make you do?”
The defense might ask:
“Did you sometimes choose to wear the uniform?”
I had once put it on before she told me because delay caused punishment.
Was that choice?
Dr. Chen said:
“You can describe exactly what happened. Adults decide legal words.”
At trial, the prosecutor showed the maid uniform.
“Who bought this?”
“Veronica.”
“Why did you wear it?”
“She said I worked for her.”
“What happened if you refused?”
“No dinner. Locked room. She squeezed my wrist. Sometimes kicked me.”
“Did your father know?”
“I thought he did because she gave me letters from him.”
“Were those letters real?”
“No.”
The prosecutor showed my weekly letters.
I identified my handwriting.
Then the defense began.
“You loved Veronica once, didn’t you?”
“Yes.”
“She read stories to you?”
“Yes.”
“Took you shopping?”
“Yes.”
“Comforted you when your father traveled?”
“Sometimes.”
“You wanted her to marry your father.”
“At first.”
“You became jealous when she wore your mother’s jewelry.”
“Yes.”
“You grabbed scissors during a haircut.”
“Yes.”
“You pushed a boy at school.”
“Yes.”
“You become angry physically.”
“Sometimes.”
Her attorney slowed.
“Is it possible Veronica’s shoe struck you because you moved suddenly?”
“No.”
“Could you have fallen?”
“She kicked me.”
“You wanted your father to come home.”
“Yes.”
“You knew accusing Veronica would make him return.”
“I didn’t know he was at the door.”
“Did your father tell you the cabinet contained bad things?”
“No. I told him.”
“Did he help you write the letter?”
“No.”
“You wrote, ‘I am still here.’ That sounds like an adult phrase.”
I looked toward the judge.
“Veronica told people I was already gone.”
The attorney stopped.
That line had been in one of her phone calls.
I had heard it from the pantry.
My testimony lasted less than two hours.
I did not answer perfectly.
I asked for one question to be repeated.
I forgot which month Mrs. Bell left.
I said I was uncertain whether Veronica kicked me three times or four during one week.
Accuracy made the account stronger.
Mrs. Bell testified.
Ms. Hart.
Dr. Reed.
Officer Morgan.
The forensic nurse.
Brighton staff.
Paulina.
Marcus Lane.
Dad testified last.
Veronica’s attorney exposed every absence.
Every delegated decision.
Every unread signature.
Dad admitted them.
“Were you a responsible father?” the attorney asked.
“Not consistently.”
“Then Veronica carried the burden.”
“She had access because I failed. That did not authorize abuse.”
“You blame her for what your absence created.”
“I blame myself for absence and her for what she chose.”
The trial moved toward closing arguments.
May you like
Then Veronica changed her mind.
She chose to testify.
