"Will the accused, please stand?" asked the judge.
At these words, Junior looking sheepishly, seemed to uncoil his lanky self and slowly got to his feet. He gave a brief glance at the judge, then hung his head.
"Young man, I feel sorry for you, but more so for your mother and the other members of your family. You have caused them great suffering emotionally, socially, and financially. Think of the hurt, pain and disappointment that they have had to bear all because of you. Can you imagine what they will have to bear from the neighbours - friends and foes alike?
"Have you even thought of the kinds of things that people are saying to and about your family? Do you think of the things that another family would say when one of your brothers or sisters attempt to marry in that family?
'That is not a good family to get involved with, they are crooks.'
"Thanks to you! You have been an investment. Your family denied themselves many pleasures just to ensure that you receive the best education available. From all reports, you never longed for anything. You are gifted and so you were given everything possible to help you realize your potential, and so provide for your poor mother in her old age.
"You have demonstrated that you were a bad investment. You never provided one cent to your mother, yet she must find money to pay for your court costs. This is a debt which you must aim to pay no matter how long it may take.
"I don't intend to give you a lecture but merely to say that I pray that your incarceration will provide time for you to reflect and to mend your ways.
"I sentence you to ten years imprisonment with hard labour."
This last sentence came loud and fast and it caught the court by surprise. The stillness in the room was stifling and oppressive.
A scream pierced the gallery. Miss Nadine fainted and suddenly there was chaos. I chose that moment to slip outside. I could not stay to look at Junior nor to speak to his family. How could I say I was sorry when I felt that I could have done something to prevent this person into which Junior had become.
Junior and I were both twenty-three. We were first cousins as well as best friends and next door neighbours.
People thought that we were twins, we looked so much alike. They felt that Junior was my alter ego and that he would do anything that I required of him. But they were wrong. Junior only did what Junior wanted.
At these words, Junior looking sheepishly, seemed to uncoil his lanky self and slowly got to his feet. He gave a brief glance at the judge, then hung his head.
"Young man, I feel sorry for you, but more so for your mother and the other members of your family. You have caused them great suffering emotionally, socially, and financially. Think of the hurt, pain and disappointment that they have had to bear all because of you. Can you imagine what they will have to bear from the neighbours - friends and foes alike?
"Have you even thought of the kinds of things that people are saying to and about your family? Do you think of the things that another family would say when one of your brothers or sisters attempt to marry in that family?
'That is not a good family to get involved with, they are crooks.'
"Thanks to you! You have been an investment. Your family denied themselves many pleasures just to ensure that you receive the best education available. From all reports, you never longed for anything. You are gifted and so you were given everything possible to help you realize your potential, and so provide for your poor mother in her old age.
"You have demonstrated that you were a bad investment. You never provided one cent to your mother, yet she must find money to pay for your court costs. This is a debt which you must aim to pay no matter how long it may take.
"I don't intend to give you a lecture but merely to say that I pray that your incarceration will provide time for you to reflect and to mend your ways.
"I sentence you to ten years imprisonment with hard labour."
This last sentence came loud and fast and it caught the court by surprise. The stillness in the room was stifling and oppressive.
Junior and I were both twenty-three. We were first cousins as well as best friends and next door neighbours.
People thought that we were twins, we looked so much alike. They felt that Junior was my alter ego and that he would do anything that I required of him. But they were wrong. Junior only did what Junior wanted.
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