Live and Let Shop Read Free

kids at school knew someone who’d gone to Juvie. He said that you only got one phone call a week and if you broke any rules you’d get no visitors. I’d never survive that! I’m a people person! I need my visitors!
    No one was saying anything, so Marvin started in again.
    “Your Honor, Rachel’s parents are sorry they couldn’t be here today, but circumstances prevented it. They would like me to assure the court that they believe Rachel is basically a good kid. You know how teenagers can be, a little high-strung, and maybe things have gotten a little out of hand. But—”
    Judge Interrupter struck again.
    “Counselor, I’ve heard every excuse you can imagine. Rachel has been on a downward spiral toward serious trouble for months, and obviously her parents haven’t done anything about it.” I would have enjoyed this if the judge hadn’t been talking about me. I wished Charles and Cynthia had been there to hear it.
    The judge turned back to me.
    “I think a stint in Juvenile Detention might be thewake-up call you need.”
    She raised her gavel. “Thirty days—”
    Marvin started to stand up and say something, but I beat him to it. I hadn’t spent all that time in my room watching Law & Order reruns for nothing.
    “I object!” I shouted.
    Everyone went quiet and stared at me.
    The judge peered down from the bench with one eyebrow cocked.
    “ You object?” she said.
    I had also read that you only got to take showers every other day in Juvie. I’m a stickler for good personal hygiene.
    “Yes, I object,” I said. Uh-oh. Better think of something quick. In my head I ran through every courtroom and lawyer movie and TV show I could think of. What would that cute guy on The Practice do now?
    “On what grounds?” the judge asked. The courtroom was completely quiet. The judge looked like she was waiting for my next move.
    “I object because…because…you can’t handle the truth!” Yeah, Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men . That should work. I had just seen it oncable the week before.
    The judge sort of smirked again.
    “I’ve seen that movie too, Ms. Buchanan, but I’ll humor you. What exactly is the truth that I can’t handle?”
    Dang it. Now I had to do more thinking. This was not a good day.
    “The truth is this is a gross injustice. The punishment you’re suggesting is way out of proportion to the alleged crime. Not to mention the fact that I’m clearly not receiving competent representation here. I mean, have you listened to his voice? It’s a wonder the entire courtroom isn’t asleep. Besides that, Marvin doesn’t know anything about Juvenile law—not that he needs to know anything, because I didn’t break any laws. Furthermore, as I’m sure you’re aware, there is a constitutional amendment against cruel and unusual punishment, and sending me to the Juvenile Center would certainly qualify as such.” And that was definitely the truth, because I’d read in the article that you were also denied Internet access, and if that isn’t “cruel and unusual,” I don’t know what is. Might as well just shoot me in the head.
    I held my breath. Marvin was giving me dirty looks, obviously upset with my crack about his lull-you-to-sleep voice.
    “Are you quite finished?” the judge asked.
    I couldn’t think of anything else to say.
    “All right. I’ll make you a deal, Ms. Buchanan. If you’ll tell me right now who was with you when the car was stolen, I’ll reduce your charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. Then you won’t go to juvenile detention. The clock is ticking, Ms. Buchanan.”
    That’s her idea of a deal?
    I couldn’t think clearly. She said I wasn’t giving her a choice? This just wasn’t an option for me.
    “No,” I said.
    “Excuse me?” said the judge.
    “I said no. I’m not telling you anything about who I was with that night. I didn’t take the car and I didn’t resist arrest or any of that other stuff you’re trying to pin on me. But I’m not