Of Trials and Tribulations

The trial has been cancelled and a settlement reached! I no longer have to worry about being the chief witness. The lawyer for the winning side interviewed me and, even though he is a friend, my mouth dried up and I couldn't think straight. I told him later that we PWP might sound stupid, but our brain works just fine. He said I didn't sound stupid, I just took my time answering his questions. The odd thing is, I wasn't stressed then and I would not have been particularly stressed at the trial, but that wouldn't stop the PD symptoms making me looked stressed, or worse, distressed. Anyway, I am thankful that it was settled, I didn't want to spend 10 days in a courtroom. As a lawyer myself, I try to avoid those places. Too stern and baroque

I once took some teenagers to watch the trial of a man accused of attempted murder. We were mulling around in the hallway, waiting for the courtroom to open, when the victim came up and spoke to me. I told him what we were doing and he offered to talk to the kids. He told them that the accused had stabbed him 27 times. I sort of scoffed at that. I mean he was still alive. Who lives after being stabbed 27 times? He opened his shirt and showed us the scars. I don't know if there were 27, but there were alot. I thanked him and he left us just as the sheriffs were bringing in the accused.

Now you have to get the picture. Thirty 14 year olds, not paying attention, talking in loud voices about the victim and occupying the entire hallway. One sheriff said, "Excuse us" and the kids all looked toward him and saw the prisoner being escorted by two, rather large sheriffs, each of whom was holding one arm of accused. He was about 6'2", long black greasy hair, scruffy, handcuffed and had a cross carved into his forehead (copying Charlie Manson maybe?). Although he appeared to be a white man, he reminded me of Injun Joe from Tom Sawyer (Or Huck Finn - not sure which). The sight of this man made the students move. It was like the parting of the sea as they quickly and uncharacteristically silently, moved to one side or the other of the hallway. The accused passed through with a smirk on his face and one of the sheriffs winked at me.

That was thirty years ago and unfortunately, my memory of the event ends with that smirk. I have no idea what happened. Maybe I have blocked it out because I really don't like courtrooms!

In another world, I made and drank chaga mushroom tea. I have to say, it tasted really good so I will keep on drinking it, even if I don't notice any changes. It is like chicken noodle soup for a cold. Can't help. Can't hurt.