Falling at the Johnson’s 2: A Blast from the Past

Monday morning came. Mrs. Johnson took a personal day off from work. She made me a big, hearty breakfast, but my stomach was in too many knots to eat. I showered after breakfast. I wasn’t even in the mood to stroke. I put on my suit and Mrs. Johnson tied my tie.

We arrived at the Family Services office around 9 am. My deposition was scheduled for 9:30 but we had left early in case of traffic. We walked into the office and Mrs. Johnson informed the receptionist what we were there for, and we sat down.

After we were there fifteen minutes or so, Mrs. Rich appeared. She invited us back to her office. When we walked in, her desk was stacked with folders. She cleared out a place for us to sit, and she moved behind her desk.

She explained what was going to happen. She encouraged me to tell the truth, no matter how painful it may be. She explained how she would be in the conference room with me and if I became uncomfortable or needed a break, just to tell her. She also encouraged Mrs. Johnson to go home, she said the process was going to take several hours and there was no need for her to be there.

Mrs. Johnson informed her that she was not going to go anywhere and would wait as long as it took. Mrs. Rich nodded and asked me if I had any questions, and as usual when I started to ask about Tommy, Trudy and Heather, she cut me short and told me that I should go to the restroom before we started.

She directed me to the men’s room. As I walked down the hallway, I passed several offices and conference rooms. As I passed one of the conference rooms, I noticed that the door was cracked. I could hear a man’s voice but could not make out what he was saying. I eased closer.

I almost stumbled back when I saw Heather through the crack in the door. She looked the same as the last time I saw her. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she was wearing a pretty blue dress. She looked as if she had been crying. She lifted her head and our eyes locked.

We stared at each other for what seemed like hours. I saw a smile begin to form on her face. I heard a door open behind me, and I quickly moved and headed to the restroom.

I ran into one of the stalls and shut the door. My stomach cramped so bad and I felt nauseated. I pressed my back against the door and clinched my eyes closed. Why did she have to be there the same time I was?

All the feelings that I thought we lost, came flooding back. I tried to think about Tasha and the afternoon we had spent together. I tried to think about those bedroom eyes looking at me, but all I could see was fear in Heather’s eyes the day the State separated them.

My trance was broken by my phone going off. It was the notification that I had received a text. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and looked at the screen, it was from Tasha.

“‘Just know I am at school, but my heart is with you. You have this. When you are done, you can have me, lol,’” She said, and placed kissy lips at the end.

The message made me smile. It also made me remember what I had, and how my life had changed since leaving the farm. I had a family that cared about me, I had friends who would fight for and with me, and most of all, I had a beautiful girlfriend who I was falling in love with. I left the stall, washed my hands and returned to Mrs. Rich’s office.

Mrs. Rich and I walked into the conference room. Inside was a large table with nine leather chairs around it. On the end of the table, there was a stack of papers, a legal pad and a recorder. In the chair behind all that stuff sat a lady.

The lady was very pretty. She was dressed in a black dress suit, a lot like the ones Mrs. Johnson wore. She stood and smiled. She had a pleasant smile. She stepped from behind the table and walked toward us.

Her hair was dark, almost black. She had mesmerizing hazel eyes, with a tint of blue. She had a modest amount of makeup on that highlighted her high cheekbones and eyes, with no lip stick. She stuck her hand out to introduce herself. When she spoke, I caught a scent of cigarette smoke on her breath.

“ You must be Albert. I am Miss Herndon, I am with the state legal department and I will be conducting your deposition. I want you to sit in the chair right over there. Mrs. Rich, you can sit on the other end of the table, okay?”

I shook her hand and moved to the chair like she instructed. Mrs. Rich sat in her seat. Miss Herndon walked to the door and shut it. As she walked back to her seat I got a better look at her.

Her dress was very professional looking. Her skirt stopped just above her knee. She wore very high heels, and the shoes really showed off her toned calf muscles and tanned legs. She had a white blouse under the jacket of the suit. The collar was pressed and crisp.

She sat in her chair and crossed her legs. If I had not been so scared, I would have probably enjoyed the view. She leaned over and pressed the record button. She sat back in her chair and placed her hands in her lap.

“This is a deposition for Albert, one of the main witnesses in case number 20-012-4573, the State versus The Benson’s. Albert please tell me of the activities in which you were introduced to while staying with the Benson’s.”

It had started. As I began to speak, my voice trembled with fear, but as I continued I became less nervous. Eventually talking to Miss Herndon was no more than talking to any other adult.

“When I arrived at the Farm, I was first taught how to build fences. I was taught how to care for the farm animals, and the farm equipment. I was taught how to milk cows, gather eggs and clean the barn. I was also taught how to cut, rake and bale hay”, I responded.

“So you learned about farm life and hard work,” Miss Herndon summarized.

“Yes, Ma’am,”

“Apparently you were taught manners as well, not many young men say yes ma’am anymore. Did the Benson’s teach you those manners?”

“Yes, ma’am, the Benson’s and Johnson’s as well.”

“Your learning the value of hard work and good manners is not while we are here, Albert, you know that.