Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: TRIAL (05/10/18)
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TITLE: Envy Destroys | Previous Challenge Entry
By Linda Berg
05/17/18 -
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No, no, how can this be? I loved little Rachel. I needed her. She was mine.
As those thoughts collided with the verdict she realized her defense attorney was speaking.
“I request that we poll the jury.”
She remembered this. Her attorney told her prior to court today, if there was any chance that the verdict was not actually the decided upon verdict by the jury, her attorney could call for a poll.
Sitting up with rapt attention and diminishing tears she listened as each juror gave their decision.
“Juror # 1, what do you say?” The judge inquired.
“Guilty.”
“Juror #2?
“Guilty.”
On and on it went as everyone of the jurors delivered a “guilty “response.
Defeated, Rebecca sat sobbing. She did not hear the final words of the judge and seemed to be in some “other place” until the Court Officer approached her to put handcuffs on her.
Rebecca felt her hands go involuntarily behind the nap of her neck and pushing against the sides of her head, she threw her arms up above her head, scratching her right ear with her out of control gesture.
The officer grabbed her upraised arms and putting the cuffs on her, restrained her as he led her through the back door to the jail.
How, how, how did this happen? she thought.
****
She remembered her age because she was five and being five and the oldest was special.
Her three-year-old sister was just a baby, always trying to take mommy’s attention away from me.
They had been coloring together, Mom, sister Sara, and herself. When they were done Rebecca was the first to show mom the flowers she had colored.
They were be-a-u-tee-full all colored in many different colors. Each flower neatly colored inside the lines on the page.
Just as mom began to admire her work, little sister butt in, like she always did with her picture.
Rebecca feeling her face flush knew her happy smile was turning upside down as she felt the anger rise from within her tummy going all the way up into her face.
****
When Rebecca was turning 13 Mom told her she could a sleepover with five or her friends to celebrate.
I want Michelle, she always saves me a spot in the cafeteria. Not, Morgan. All she cares about is herself. Katlyn is nice. She is quiet and likes to do the things I do. Cora is funny, she makes me laugh. Bailey thinks she’s the prettiest girl in the whole school. I don’t want her to be talking about her hair, her nails and all the clothes her mom buys her. Who else? Who else? Mellissa, she is nice.
Right away Cora says, “I can’t wait to show you girls what my daddy got me for my birthday.”
The other girls join in squeals of excitement about Cora’s surprise. After everyone has settled their night things in Rebecca’s room, Cora withdraws an I Phone from her pocket. “It’s the most recent model issued only this week” she exclaims. The squeals escalate as all the girls, except Rebecca gather around the phone to see everything they can do with it.
This can’t be. It’s my birthday, my party. I forgot she always gets the newest things for her birthdays. I wonder what my birthday gift is?
****
Rebecca, now a young woman of 28, was browsing the produce aisle looking for strawberries. A young mother was standing nearby with a newborn nestled in the buggy.
I’ve never seen clear blue eyes like that darling baby girl has. I must get closer. She’s smiling at me.
Tears begin to fall at remembrance of three miscarriages.
The young mother before turns her back from the baby as she examines the avocados, picking one up, giving it a gentle squeeze and replacing it.
Rebecca moving closer picks up the baby. Turning quietly, she slips into the next aisle and hurries on to the front door with her precious child.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 4:2-3 ESV
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