Katie rose slowly. She looked like a woman standing on a sinking ship. She leaned down, whispering "No" over and over again to Jason, her hand pressing firmly onto his as if trying to physically anchor him to his seat. But Jason wasn't listening. He jerked his hand away from hers with a sharp, dismissive motion and looked up at the bench.
"I wish to testify, Your Honor," Jason said, his voice surprisingly clear.
"Jason, no," Katie hissed, but it was too late.
"Very well," Judge Jones said. "Bring the defendant forward."
A heavy, stunned silence fell over the room as Jason was wheeled to the stand. He took the oath with a solemn, practiced dignity. When he turned to the jury, he didn't look like the monster who had cornered me in the master bedroom. He looked small. He looked fragile.
