—Popular, Part V—
—The Misadventures of ‘Lynn’ ‘Coon’ and ‘Tater’—
—Continued—
After getting the phone call from “Tater” telling me that he and “Coon” had been caught and I had to turn myself in at the Court House, I went to talk to my Best Friend.
I explained everything I’ve told you.
“What time are you going to the Court House?” He asks.
“I guess in the morning. I want to get it over with.”
“Do your parents know any of this?”
“No. Since I’m over 18 and of legal age, they don’t have to know, and I’d like to take care of this without bringing them into it.”
“Okay. I’ll go with you,” my friend said.
“Thank you.”
“Plus, you might need me to bail you outta jail.”
“I’m not in the mood for joking.”
“Who’s joking?”
“I will give you my ATM Card so you can get money out of my Savings Account if you need to,” I said.
I had over $2000 in my Savings Account, and it had taken me two years to save that up.
I was prepared to lose all $2k if that’s what it took.
I clocked out and went home from work.
“Tater” called me later that night at home.
“Hello?”
“Hey, my Dad is paying for you to have an Attorney since I got you into this. It’s our Family Attorney, and he’s who I’m using.”
“So, I don’t have to pay him anything?”
“No. Just show up at the Court House at 10 AM. We’ll all meet there at 10.”
“Is that who ‘Coon’ is using as well?”
“Yes.”
I called my friend and asked him to meet me at the Court House at 10.
That night I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned and worried.
So, when I arrived at the Court House, I was groggy.
I met up with my friend, and we went and found “Tater,” his Father, and the Attorney provided to me. I shook their hands.
“Coon” then joined us. We were now all three there.
“I’m sorry my son got you into this,” Tater’s father said.
I shrugged my shoulders.
The Attorney, who looked like any Southern Attorney you’ve ever seen in the movies, “My Cousin Vinny,” comes to mind, said, “It’s going to be okay, son. Just tell them the truth, and I’ll jump in if necessary. Okay?”
“Yes, Sir.”
The Officials took each one of us back one at a time. I went last. I never saw “Coon” or “Tater” come back out.
I wondered if they had been arrested and taken to the jail cells.
The Officials come and take me to the back.
Once in the back, I’m led to a small room with a round table.
My Attorney was sitting at the table along with a few other people.
I sit down.
A woman introduces herself as Judge “So and So”—I forget her name.
She then explains that this will get recorded on video and audio tape.
I keep looking at my Attorney for guidance.
I quickly realized that if he shakes his head, “Yes,” I answer, “Yes.”
The same went for “No.”
The “Proceedings,” or whatever you would call this, begin.
The Judge opens with, “You are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent…”
My jaw drops, and I feel like I am about to throw up.
