"All rise, honorable Judge Neilson presiding."
"You may be seated. Today we have heard arguments in the case of the State of Texas verse Scott Richard Hoying. The defendant presented a plea of not guilty and a verdict has been determined. Will the defendant please rise."

Scott bit his lip nervously, he wasn't entirely sure he could stand. Sara-Beth sensed his troubles and helped pull him up to stand beside her. Scott glanced up at the judge but immediately looked down at his feet. He had never been so scared.

"Case number 064321, the State of Texas verse Scott Richard Hoying, on the count of possession with intent to distribute, the charge has been commented to simple possession, we find the defendant guilty and sentence him to three years supervised probation."

Scott took a ragged breath, he could deal with probation, at least he'd relatively free. Maybe this would work out.

"On the count of assault in the second degree, we find the defendant guilty."

All the air left Scott's lungs. He was sure he was going to die from lack of oxygen but he couldn't bring himself to remember how to breath.

"Since the defendant is still considered a juvenile he will be reprimanded to the custody to the department of juvenile corrections to complete his sentence of five months."

He could hear noises but it was muffled like he was under water, like he was drowning. No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. The word kept repeating in his head. Finally, a sound broke through all the others around him. He turned to hear the one person that could refocus his attention.

"Oh my god, Scottie! Scottie...S...s...scottie." Mitch cried out.

Scott had the urge to take the small boy in his arms and tell him everything was okay. But he knew it might not be and he couldn't lie to Mitch.

"Mitchy...." and with that one word Scott broke.

"Court is adjourned. The defendant is reprimanded into custody."

A gavel banged, chatter ensued, two guards shuffled forward, two boys shattered.

The guards took Scott away. Mitch watched him as he was pulled along. He wanted to run after him, to tell the judge that he was stupid for believing Alex but he just stared at the doors as the closed.

He wasn't sure how long he sat there before he heard someone calling him but it wasn't Scott; he didn't want to listen.

"Mitch we can't sit here anymore. We've got to go."
"Kyle's right they're clearing out the courtroom, let's go."

Summer tugged on his arm and he allowed himself to be pulled up to his feet. He stood and immediately turned and fell into someone's arms, he wasn't even sure who. He needed comfort and though it wasn't the six foot teddy bear he desired, it would have to do.

Once they were outside the courthouse, the sun was too bright, the birds were chirping too loudly, the colors were too saturated. Mitch had a headache.

"Does anyone have Advil or Tylenol or something? I'm sure my head might explode."
Amber reached into her purse, "here sweetie."
"Thanks."
"We're going to head home okay? Why don't you call your mom and tell her we'll be there soon."
"Yea."

He got his phone out and dialed the number, Nel picked up on the second ring.

"Mitchell, how did things go?"
"Mommy..." and he was sobbing again.
"Mitch honey, what happened?"
"M...m...m...moo....mmmyy... sc...sc...scotttieee."

He was hyperventilating. Amber took the phone passing it off to Summer before taking the boy in her arms and attempting to help him through the panic attack.

"Hey Nel. Mitch is having a panic attack."
"Holy shit, is he okay?"
"Amber is working on getting it to pass. Physically he's fine I think, emotionally he's not. Scott was convicted."
"Oh no!"
"Five months in jail, three years probation."
"How the hell did that happen?"
"They brought in a surprise witness, Alex."
"Dammit! Mitch has to be devastated."
"He is. We're about to leave so we'll have him home soon."
"Thank you. If you need me call. I'll see y'all when you get back. Tell Mitch I love him."
"Will do Nel. See you soon."

Mitch had finally calmed down enough to walk on his own to the car.

"Mitch, I spoke to your mother. She's going to meet us at your house."
Amber spoke up, "Summer, you and SB and I are going to go pick up Scott's suit. Kyle and Dan are going to take Mitch home."
"Can I go see Scottie?"
"Mitch, honey I don't think that's a good idea. You're upset, he's upset, seeing each other today won't be good for either of you."
"But I need to tell him I love him and that I swear I'll be here when he gets out."
"If we get to see him, we'll make sure to tell him."

Mitch just nodded as he got into the back of the car, buckling up, laying his head against the window, and closing his eye, wishing this day had never happened.