Challenging: Day 5

Word Count: 30,019

Summary of Events:

The police came and arrested Reid on charges of aggravated assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm that left Gabrielle reeling. Nicholas managed to convince Megin to spend more time with him again. Jennifer publicly revealed to the entire church Nicholas' unfaithfulness during the sharing time in the Sunday morning service. Nicholas and Jennifer gave statements to the church board and diaconate in an emergency post-service meeting; while they deliberated his sister said he was no longer welcome at her house, then he was told that he was removed from the trustee board, his membership was revoked, and he was banned from the church. Reid had a meeting with his assigned defence lawyer whom he gave his testimony to.

Excerpt of the Day:

"At the sight of motion in his upper peripheral vision, Reid looked up. A man who looked surprisingly youthful and fit for the obviously grey colour of his hair sat down across from him. He was dressed sharply in a charcoal grey suit with a forest green vest and a tie of forest and emerald green.

"Good morning Mr. Kiszczak," the lawyer said. "I am Edwin Williams of Jorgensen, Williams, and Hinkey. I have been appointed to represent you."

Reid dipped his chin in a subtle nod, but said nothing.

"Do you have any questions you would like answered before you decide how you would like to plead?" Mr. Williams asked.

"What do the police say happened?" Reid asked.

"They say that you were at the establishment first, and then Mr. Pasula entered, you became agitated and removed him from the building. You drove him to the location where he was found, took a piece from the jack in your truck and beat Mr. Pasula with inches of his life, and left," Mr. Williams replied.

"What condition is Michael in?" Reid asked.

"He is in critical condition," Mr. Williams replied. "He is in a coma and has suffered a concussion, along with surprisingly minor fracturing of his skull and significant brain damage. If he regains consciousness his brain function will be handicapped. To what extent is yet unknown, but it is speculated to be noticeable, if not significant."

"It's not even certain that he'll live?" Reid asked.

"No," Mr. Williams replied. "However, there is optimism, his condition has been improving as time has passed. He has survived this long, yet he is still in a coma; the longer that he remains in a coma, the more likely that he might still end up succumbing."

Reid nodded and looked at the table between them. He was impressed that Michael was still alive. He was positive he hadn't felt a pulse when he'd checked, unless it'd just been excessively weak. He wasn't going to ask.

"What is your plea?" Mr. Williams asked.

"Guilty on all counts," Reid replied."