Hopeless or hopeful?

Chapter 2

Tessa were about to leave from their vegetable garden, when she heard a wailing sound from a police car. The sound stopped nearby their house. It should be another runaway prisoner she thought. But as she took a peek, to her surprise, it was in her friend’s house. She hastily put the harvested vegetables inside their house and ran to the commotion. It was just a minute ago when she took away her eyes from the cars, and now it shows that everyone really do have a great interest on the only awake and alive member of the family. She knew it. She knew it was Claire that they’re going to get arrested. This could not be happening. They have to have a rational explanation in this matter. Even at a young age she knows that the evidences clearly points mang Mando. These police officers are clearly a** kissers even to the dead. They did even thought about the daughter.

She went her why through the crowd and saw Claire being arrested. She could not help it. She have to do something.

“Police officers, can I ask you a question?” The crowd looked at her including Claire. She seem to have anticipated the situation that was about to happen. 

“Yes, you may.” The Chief Officer replied.

“Are you sure that you did not put her as the prime suspect based on circumstantial evidences? What about the evidence of fingerprints from the machete? Are you going to turn a blind eye just because you admire mang Mando?” The murmurings started to rise. No one showed any sign of agreement to her questions. They were muted for a second, but the chief did not want a mere college student could humiliate him in around these curious eyes.  She’s currently taking up political science although she has a long way to go to finish law school, she surely does her best.

“Your questions are leading, dear. As if you are accusing as that we are tampering the whole investigation and made your friend the scapegoat.” He looked at her as if he was scrutinizing her like a criminal. It was obvious what they are doing.

“But---“ Before she could answer the question someone grabbed her arms and led her outside the crowd. It was her parents. It was a silent walk until they reached home. Her parents were furious that they let her do the yard works all day. They even mentioned that she’s not allowed to have a connection in any form to Claire. Then she realized that this directly hits Carlo. He has no one right now. Claire was arrested and of all the things she has to worry about is her safety in her time in jail.  It was a long talk for her before she can persuade them to let her look after Claire’s brother. They don’t know any of their relatives, unlike them that are just neighbors with her aunt and uncles. She is the only one who can help Carlo. She also need to find a lawyer that could take her out. 

Tessa’s parents found a lawyer downtown, he should be good as her parents told her, but the only problem is he is one of those people who admired mang Mando. He is atty. Ephraim Reyes.

“So, what really happened Claire? Did your parents decided not to give you any part of the inheritance? Have they told you that they are going to give the seventy percent to your brother that led you in using your father’s machete to inflict damage in them, killing both of your parents?” From one question to another, he seems determined to extract information from her that could prove that she’s guilty.

“I don’t know!!I can’t remember a thing! Why are you bothering me?”

You could say that first impressions are important and since this young lawyer had quickly judged her, the honesty and trust she was supposed to give to someone who should defend her disappeared. They are all just the same, they would think of her as the killer, the ingrate child and the money grubber right away without any questions nor doubt. And one more reason is that, she still respect her father and want to protect his image despite his shortcomings. It was just one mistake, but that single one led to destroy even her unforeseen future. Everything are going down the drain. No use to cry over a spilled milk and just have to be brave and clean the mess. She still have her brother if he survives, she’s praying hardly for. If she could survive this hell without telling about her parents, she’ll do it no matter what.

“Garcia! Garcia! You have a visitor.” 

She was awakened by the incessant calling of the precinct officer. She climbed out of the bunk bed and went directly to the officer. Well, she’s not expecting anyone to visit her now, it could not be her lawyer. He just visited her yesterday. Probably it’s Tessa and she’s right.

“Tessa!!”She hugged her as if she’s not seeing her often. She missed having her friend around in school lunches, she missed having a clean and proper meal and having a family.

Her friend noticed right away the change of tone of her and the way her body changed in just one day.

“Aren’t eating even a morsel of food in here? Why have you changed so much in a day? Look here take care of yourself, huh? I brought foods only for you. Don’t share it with others. You need it the most.”

“Don’t be silly. You’re talking as if you haven’t done a thing. Everything that you’re doing now would be repaid someday. Thank you so much. You’ve been such a great friend to me. I don’t think I would survive if it weren’t because of you.”

“No problem. How’s your stay here by the way?”

 And just like that Claire’s mood began to change. She doesn’t want to let her friend know her situation. It’s too much to take in for her especially that she’s studying now.

“It seems like you’re not interested to talk about it.”

“Not really, I’m just not in the mood to talk about anything today. I am sorry.”

She did not pushed the topic anymore since Claire’s mood is kind of off right now. She just silently watched her eating the food she brought. Visiting her is the only way to let her friend breathe and forget what is really happening. But after an hour, Claire’s reality beats her up again. For one week, she never felt so lonely and alone in comparison to her previous.

It was early in the morning too dark to say it is already, when she was awakened by the strong smell of coffee brewed from the front desk of the precinct. It should be them again. She knew it was that petite policewoman in her late 20s that had been the center of the whole commotion. It should be her rich husband. 

“Why don’t you just date the poor guy Sandra? Why not give it a try? He has been sending you flowers and chocolate for six months and you can’t still bring yourself to tell him your decision.” One of her colleagues teased her with a hint of advice.

“He’s not poor, he’s rich. Just look at these flowers if it stops now. You know, I have lived long enough to witness the inconsistency of men. They take you for granted when they finally get what they want.” Her statement did not show any sign of arrogance but caution. She must have been hurt in the past or just wants attention.

“Annoying” was the word that first came out of her mind as soon as she heard them hollering like baboons. She did mind the noise but only if it’s too much that pains her. For the past days she wasn’t able to sleep well inside the precinct. And to her sleepiness she even forgot that today was supposed to be another visit from her lawyer.

“Garcia! Your lawyer.” Called out by one of the other women in their room.

She was reluctant to face her lawyer knowing that he would just try to question him again and lead it to “knowing the truth.” He has something up on his sleeve and she knows that which is why she is wary whenever he’s around. He could put her to jail forever if he wanted to. That’s how she looks at him. A hungry cub waiting for the right time to attack. 

“Claire, this is Dr. Alyssa Lopez a psychologist. I think she could be of some help.” Attorney Ephraim introduced the two to each other and stepped out at the garden to smoke. He had to leave them space to talk to each other. Miss Lopez that he needs to give space to Claire to loosen up her nerves. She knew from his stories he shared that Claire doesn’t trust Ephraim Reyes. He admits that he can be overly intimidating that other people mistook it as a form of aggressiveness and arrogance.

“Attorney Ephraim is right, you’re quite beautiful. I feel sorry for you that you have to get through this. Don’t worry, I’m sure Mr. Ephraim will take care of you.” The woman smiled at her and took her hand.

Still, she did not budge a bit despite the persuasion of the doctor. She just felt fear towards them. She does not want to take a risk and just mar everything for no good reason. She just felt like she need to protect herself from these people. She just nodded the whole time Miss Lopez talked to her. Meanwhile, Ephraim was patiently waiting outside far from the two women. He just want to end this case once and for all and prove that mang Mando’s daughter is innocent. He have this feeling that he should help her.  He could see through that wall she’s trying to build from everyone hiding her fear. What triggers that fear is what he’s about to discover.

“Visitation time is over.” Announced by the policewoman nearby the entrance.

Alyssa finished instantly her conversation with Claire. It was for the best, she noticed that the girl was uncomfortable whenever the topic about the case of her parents is opened up. It was like opening a stitched wound once again for her. 

“Think about it Claire, your future lies on you. It is only you that can free yourself from all of this. You don’t need to burden everything. You’re too young for that case.” She finished before finding the lawyer behind her.

One week from this day, a hearing would be held for her case. The doctor and the lawyer are quite persistent in squeezing information from her. Still she did not spill anything. She just equaled their persistence with her own. The lawyer wanted to feel sorry for her, but he can’t help to show his irritation towards her. It’s as if she doesn’t have any interest to be proven guilty. While Alyssa on the other hand looks for details or any information that could be a missing piece of Claire’s case. Fortunately, her husband, Philip, is a police officer. She really wanted to help her.

“Let me take care of it. But that doesn’t mean that it’s guaranteed that she could be found innocent.” He looked at her and squeezed her palms.

“What are you talking about? We’re almost at the finish line. You just told me yesterday that you talked with their neighbor and her father’s close friend ka Estong?” She strongly believes on Philip’s capability. That is why every time he shares something about the case excites her. 

Philip tries to understand what she feels, especially that her profession can’t avoid getting involved with their patients affair. Alyssa is a compassionate women, which piqued his interest since childhood. She always put everyone else before herself. 

“Yes, it is ka Estong. He also mentioned that they always talk about the girl in every possible conversation they can have. He also said that Claire have been a brat ever since her mother went back from Taiwan. She always talk back and quarrel with her older brother. She always seek for attention and go to her friends.”

Alyssa could not believe what he was telling to her.

“What you’re saying is impossible. How can such a timid lady could such actions you were telling me.” She insisted that what Philip said had to be wrong.

“You know what? I’m starting to get irritated with that girl. She is making you to not trust me. We’ve been going well before she entered in our life. Ever since she became your patient you seem to grow more and more distant to me. We’ve only been married for three months, but is feels like it has been forty years already. Maybe you feel that you can always put me last your priority list.” Alyssa was shocked by her husband’s behavior, thinking that he was supporting her it turns out to be the opposite.

“Philip! You’re so dramatic. Alright, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll just first secure Claire’s welfare and make sure that she’ll talk about the incident, then we’re good to go to Bahamas for our three week vacation. Are we good now?” She knows her husband too well. She just have to make a bargain to seal the deal and lessen the damage.  She knows that if this problem won’t be solved immediately she might end up getting a divorce before Claire can even get her verdict. She thought that she should move faster so that she could make more time with her husband. Claire is important but her husband is still more important.

The day of the case hearing of Claire, Alyssa almost tripped herself hurrying to get out of their house. She opt to forget everything that doesn’t concern her patient for especially now that the sentencing of the girl is approaching. She was looking for her cellphone in her handbag when her husband called out her name.

He was wearing a black apron when he walked to her direction.

“Aren’t you going to eat your breakfast? I even went early to the market so you can eat.” Her husband really emotional. She just shook her head with defeat and kissed his cheek.

“I’m sorry. I can’t right now. I have to go now. Bye! Don’t eat with your colleagues later.” Her husband frowned with confusion as she approached the door.

“Then where who am I going to eat with?” Alyssa smiled at him and spoke.

“We’ll to eat out later. Alright, I gotta go now.” She waved her hand and closed the door as she left.

She believes that the girl will finally speak, she has to. With just the days they were together, she noticed the change in her behavior. Finally, she found a parking spot for her car and right after she got off the car she saw Atty. Ephraim and Claire along with few police officers, so she just waved. She peeked at her watch and realized something. Right, the hearing is about to begin. Many people attended the hearing, and most of them are from Claire’s neighborhood, especially it concerns one of the children of mang Mando. She went straight at the far end of the court and observed quietly as the clerk of the court spoke.  She’s hopeful this time and believe that it would turn out well. After Claire pleaded ‘not guilty’ hushed disappointed words suddenly erupted inside the provincial court. Many testified against the girl, but it was obvious that most of their statements are fabricated or even exaggerated. These people are quite imaginative, the only thing the lawyer thought. The lawyer just shook his head in disbelief with what these people could go far for their idol.

“I really can’t believe how much the people in this town believe in your father. What did he even feed them?” Ephraim asked Claire with horror. The girl looked at him and smiled.

“You were once like them, right?”

“Well, I know that even I was in that spot, I would not go that far in fabricating lies just to protect someone I look up to.” He defended himself trying to look unaffected by her smart remark.

She looked at him dumbfounded and just bid him goodbye to rest. He just watched her as she was accompanied by two female police officers. Our fight is not yet over Claire. Just hang in there. I believe that you are innocent and just deserve to have a good and normal life outside prison. You’re still young.

“Has she left already?” He looked behind him and realized that Alyssa was talking to him.

“You’re here? Where were you awhile ago?” He asked.

“I’m at the far end seat. I just need to avoid from letting her see me and for me to see her. I’ m trying to get used to not see her from now on “

He was confused on what the psychologist was uttering.

“Why? Are you going somewhere? Are you leaving?” He asked continuously.

“Attorney, it is better for you to know nothing at all. But if you will insist, I have to tell you to refrain as much as possible from mentioning this to Claire. She has too much to carry now to know about this.” She asked for assurance from the lawyer to avoid hurting Claire again.

“You can count on me Alyssa.” The doctor then mentioned the plan both her and her husband made to make up in their lost time while they are still in their honeymoon period. He immediately understood her side knowing how much time they’ve invested to Claire for days just to convince her to plead not guilty. So, he promised that he would take care of the care and need not to worry anything.

“Alright, I should probably go ahead now. I am supposed meet and eat with my husband this lunch.”

“Don’t worry Alyssa. I won’t let both of you down.” Ephraim assured her.

Meanwhile, at the cell, Claire was alone busy thinking of what she would do once she get out. She should probably find a job.