Two Words One Path

Six months later… The day has finally come. The day that Paul Galluzzo pays for his actions, and the day that I find my justice. The day where people truly know and see what happened, and see consequences that have come with it. That’s if I win of course. We have been working for the past five months uncovering what was going to happen. I honestly didn’t understand what was going on because this had been my first time going through a mock trial.

One thing I do know however, is that I am not guilty. I have been working with Mrs. Lansing and I think she is going to be an influential part of the team. When I first walk in, I first notice the large desk and chair where the judge sits. I see two tables where I will soon be sitting. Where I will soon be no more than fifteen feet away from the man who beat me up because he was “doing his job”.

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I notice all the seats for the audience of people, who will judge me coldly or warm-heartedly. I smell the smell that could bring me one of my best or most disturbing memories. “All rise. This court is now in session.” I rose, as was said, yet my legs felt like spaghetti and I could’ve sworn there was an earthquake. When I sat back down, I looked at my mom who cheered me on with a ‘u totally got this’ face.

And that’s when it happened.

All the doubts in my head sprang to me like a jump scare in a movie. A jump scare with a face saying ‘what if you lose’ and ‘what if I do something wrong’. What if I am presumed guilty. My mind is battling itself at the worst time. “Rashad, are you okay?” asked Mr. Pawlyk who is my lawyer, “you look a little sick.” “Yep, I’m totally great.” I blurted out like an idiot. “Good morning everybody. Calling the case between Rashad Butler and Paul Galluzzo. Are both sides ready?” “Ready for the defense, your honor,” replied Mr. Pawlyk. “Ready for the persecution, your honor,” replied Mrs. Betts. Bla bla bla, I couldn’t focus even if it was the most important moment of my life… well it sort of was. The point is that I just wanted to go home and sleep and hangout with my friends, and… “Rashad,” screamed Mr. Pawlyk, “it’s your turn!” I quickly dashed up in front of the judge and swore to never lie and a bunch of other stuff. I didn’t really pay much attention, I just knew that I had a few yeses and no’s when Mr. Pawlyk asked me my questions. “Where were you the night of the the crime and what were you doing?”

“I was going to Jerry’s to grab some chips and gum for a party I was going to.” I explained. “Ok, ok, and what happened when you got in the store?” “When I got in the store, I went straight to the chips aisle. When I went down to reach for my backpack, Mrs. Lansing tripped over me. I went down to grab my phone to call my brother Spoony, Mr. Galluzzo and the store clerk accused me of. Stealing the chips.” “What happened after that?” “When they suddenly accused me of stealing the chips, I tried explaining what was truly going on, but before I could finish my sentence Mr. Galluzzo grabbed me by the shirt and dragged me outside telling me to “shut up,” I pleaded, “and before I knew it, he had me in a submission lock slamming me into the pavement. Every time I moved he hit me once more, claiming that I was “resisting him.” “The defense rests.” Hallelujah. That’s the only word that came to my mind. A weird one I may say, but it just seemed to fit. I told the full truth to the jury and could not have been more honest. For once, I truly have hope. Paul has nothing to say except for the fact that he almost killed me.

“Will the persecutor please stand” says the judge, “do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth.” “I do” replied Paul. “What were you doing at Jerry’s at the night of the crime?” “I was standing on guard at a convenience store named Jerry's.” Mrs. Betts looked up at him in uncertainty and asked “what happened after Rashad entered the store?” “Well, when I saw him walk in, he seemed a little suspicious. I saw him walk over to the chips aisle and clearly knock the lady over as a distraction. However when she fell, the chips he was going to steal got hit out of his hands. That’s when I saw him reach into his bag to grab a weapon. I restrained him from doing so then I took him outside. I noticed him trying to reach into his pockets for another weapon I assumed and took my safety precautions. When I restrained him on the ground, he kept trying to reach into his pocket and was resisting my orders.” “The prosecution rests.” It’s all going to plan. Only one more set of questions to do, and Paul definitely does not stand a chance. How is he going to explain how he almost beat me to death.

“Persecuted rise,” said the judge, “do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?” “I do,” puffed Paul. “Why did you become a police officer Mr. Galluzzo?” “I wanted to help people and make the neighborhoods a safer place.” “Ok, and would you mind explaining why you thought Rashad was stealing.” “I saw him trip the lady and try to stuff the chips in his bag.” “Did you have him explain the situation? Did you have him explain why he was reaching in his bag? “I did not.” “Did you ask the lady who tripped over him what happened?” “No.” “Lastly, did your read your Miranda rights?” “No I did not.” “The defense rests.” A few more people went up some of who I did not know, and some of who I did not pay attention to. It had been a long day and I was waiting to be free. How much do you think somebody in the U.S. wants to be “free”. Everybody in America as a child wants to become something or someone when they’re older. Everybody wants to live the life of an “All American Boy”. But that’s just not possible. Anyways, I think it's almost time for the jury to dismiss us so they can make their final decisions. The decisions that will decide the outcome of my entire life. A decision between two words, of which could drown me in sadness or fill me with joy. Two words, that could describe my life, and the only thing keeping me together is hope. Having hope, and that’s what defines being an “All America’s Boy” to me.