“Stacie, I really would appreciate it if you could call Gregory Chrim, and Ben Fieldhart and ask them if they would be willing to make a trip over here to talk to me.”

“Alright sir, are you going somewhere?”

“Just around the corner to get a paper, I’ll be right back.”

“Hello, is this Mr. Chrim or Mr. Fieldhart?”

“Fieldhart, may I ask who’s calling?”

“This is Stacie Nolan from Dr. Henry Keyes’ office. He wanted me to ask if you and Mr. Chrim would come down to his office, he needs to talk to you both.”

“What about? Is something wrong with Simon?”

“I’m sorry sir, I have no idea, but I wouldn’t worry – the doctor seems to be in a good mood this morning.”

“Sure, Greg’s here. What time?”

“Sometime soon, if you could.”

“10:00?”

“Yes.”

“Fine.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

Ben hangs up the phone and yells for Greg in the bathroom.

“Hey, can we go down to Dr. Keyes’ office, he wants to speak with us!”

“What for?”

“Simon!”

“That Doctor makes me nervous!”

“Well get over it, and get dressed, we’ve got to be there at 10:00!”

“Ben! There’s no way I’ll be ready by 10!”

“Oh, come on Greg, just skip the makeup and nails ok?!”

“What? I can’t believe we’re living in the same house! It’s a wonder I haven’t killed you yet!”

“Yeah, it’s a wonder I haven’t either!”

Greg emerges from the hall drying his hair with a towel, “I’d hire someone to kill you if I had the money.”

“Oh Greg, please don’t talk about money right now.”

“I know. I promise soon I’ll be asked to a Broadway, and then we’ll be fine.”

“Ha. Sure.”

Greg takes the towel off his head and hurls it at Ben.

“Ouch man!”

“Heh, that’s what you get. You know why they haven’t called me back?”

“Yeah, Greg. I know.” Ben bends over and swoops up the towel.

“It’s because they know I’m Simon’s roommate. I never wanted my name or face in the papers, or yours for that matter. These damn press people. You know I almost hit one the other day! The fool nearly jumped in front of my car, wanting an interview!”

“Yeah, I hear you Greg. I can’t mime anymore – they always provoke me to yell at them. But as much as I’d like to converse, we have no time.”

“Alright, alright I’ll skip the nails.”

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The two make their way into the office, nervously.

“Gentlemen, I’m very glad you came. Sorry if it was bad timing.”

“No, perfect,” Ben answers.

“Good. So, I wanted to talk to you both before I gave my evaluation to your brother, Nick. I had a not so nice chat with Simon yesterday, and everything suddenly became clear.”

“What did he do?” Greg shifts, “Was he cooperative?”

“Sure, up until I told him I talked to his mother and his ex, Amy. Well, that’s not all true. He was still cooperative, It’s a long story.”

Ben looks at the floor deploringly, “Oh, I miss Amy.”

He catches a glimpse of Greg’s penetrating glare. “Ok, I

don’t miss her,” he laughs timidly.

“We have time,” Greg answers.

Keyes continues not sure where to begin. “I decided the only way I could find anything about Simon in detail was to talk to his mother or family members. But I had an idea to track down any girlfriends he’d had in the past – in order to see another side of Simon. And I found Amy. When I talked to her about Simon she seemed too upset to tell me anything of any importance. She went on about the pain of leaving him and how she couldn’t live with Simon’s emotional baggage and that she had no idea where it came from. But Simon’s mother gave me the most information, the really important information that made Simon finally open up to me. Did you two know about his brother and father’s death?”

Greg looks over at Benny. “I knew about his father, but I’d never heard of a brother.”

Ben shakes his head, “Me either.”

“Well, It’s no surprise, the baby wasn’t even born yet when he died. But considering the impact it had on Simon, I’m a little shocked he never told anyone. He certainly remembers it to this very day. How did he tell you his father died?”

“A car wreck,” Greg looks at Keyes questioningly.

“Well, it was more than that. Did he tell you his father was drunk?”

“No! How strange, why he didn’t mention that. He said the other driver was drunk.”

Keyes again shakes his head, “No, there was no other driver, as far as I understand it his father hit a telephone pole with his truck at 75 Miles per hour.”

“My God,” Greg turns to Ben bewildered, “Why didn’t he tell us this.”

Ben barely shrugs.

“Dr. Keyes, is there a reason he was drunk?”

“Yes, Ben, there was. And that’s the whole root of Simon’s problems. You see, Simon thinks he killed his baby brother and his father because one afternoon while he was sitting with his mom, he pulled out his magic wand and asked if he could make the baby disappear for ‘pretend.’ His mom told him to do a reverse spell afterwards, humoring her little boy. He said the three magic words, and then the baby kicked. They both laughed and Simon’s mom was called by her husband to come to the kitchen to settle some money problems. Simon begged her to wait so he could do a ‘reverse spell’ and make sure the baby didn’t disappear. But Simon’s mom left before he could, and in the middle of her and her husband’s fight over the bills, Simon’s father hit her and she started to bleed. Simon’s dad was immediately overcome with guilt and called an ambulance but it was too late. The baby miscarried. Simon’s father went out to drown his guilt and then got in the accident. If you can imagine, Simon told me it was his fault for both their deaths, and that God was punishing him with this jail situation, and that he deserves it.”

Greg and Benny stare at Keyes with misting eyes. The silence takes a long time before Benny chokes out, “Are you sure? This is the problem?”

“Yes, I’m pretty positive.”

Greg answers bitterly, “And this is why Joey Sater was taken? Because Simon felt guilty?”

Keyes glances at Greg with curiosity. “Yes, I suppose. I mean, I did think this was the link between him taking Joey. I think it could be a mixture of things. Simon had told me that Joey’s sad look was ‘familiar,’ probably the same way Simon felt at the age of six when all that happened. And Joey is exactly that age. Also, Joey’s parents were fighting, and I guess Simon felt that it would escalate into abuse – maybe even abuse towards Joey.”

Ben sighs, “Maybe he just wanted his little brother.”

Greg stares up at Keyes, “Or to comfort the version of himself.”

Keyes is in awe, “Both intuitive responses. I think Greg, you’re mainly right. Simon sympathized with Joey as an aspect of his younger self – even though he believes he has committed a terrible sin. But the main reason I asked you here, is I wanted to tell you my advice to Nick would be that Simon should plead temporary insanity – for these very reasons. He was obviously in a different frame of mind when he took Joey and kept him. He did Joey no harm; he tried to ‘save him.’ I don’t see how a judge or jury could not agree with me when I testify. If I testify.”

“What do you mean ‘if?’”

“Simon said he doesn’t want me to testify for an insanity plea. He’s positive he was not insane and doesn’t want to be labeled. And he feels he would be lying, when he only wants to tell his truth. I don’t suppose Nick has told you that Simon wants to try to plead ‘innocence?’”

“Innocence! Why in the world –”

Benny joins Greg, “He wouldn’t win!”

“Yes, yes I know.” Keyes raises his hands for them to sit.

“We must try not to panic. I don’t think Simon quite understands what will happen to him if he gives up on his case like this.”

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Greg stares up at Simon with unwavering eyes.

“Yes, Greg! I understand what can happen to me!” Simon drums his fingers together.

“No Simon! You don’t understand! I mean, you don’t understand what will happen to us! Benny and I. And if you do…damn you! Why would you put us through that? Put yourself through that!”

Benny rests his arm on Greg’s shoulder, “Greg, come on. Calm down, ok?”

Greg stares down at the narrow table.

Simon presses his hand on the glass that separates them. “Greg. I know it’s going to be hard for you. I’m so sorry I let this happen. But I couldn’t live with myself if I lied.”

Greg quietly replies, “Simon, you wouldn’t be lying. You aren’t insane, but you were for a moment – when you saw Joey and related to him.”

“No I wasn’t.”

“Look Simon,” Ben interrupts, “Dr. Keyes has told us about your brother. I’m sorry, but he wanted us to know, to help if we could.”

Simon clenches his teeth, “He’s not supposed to discuss our sessions with anyone. They’re private.”

“I don’t know how that all works Simon. But if Dr. Keyes does testify, we’d all hear about it anyway.”

“He won’t testify.”

Ben glances at Greg’s blank face and back at Simon, “Please Simon, just think about it, ok? If you plead innocence, well everyone’s pretty sure you’ll be convicted. But if you try this insanity plea – a risk in itself, but maybe less – you might have a chance.”

“I’m innocent of their charge.”

Benny pleads, “The law isn’t going to see it your way. You either took Joey without his parents’ consent or you didn’t, period. The law is more black and white than life, it has to be. You can say you didn’t intend to hurt Joey, but that isn’t what is on trial here! You took him, point blank! Come on, Simon – I’m begging you, we’re begging you.”

Greg looks up at Simon and waits.

“I’m sorry Ben.”

Benny sighs and slowly slouches back in his chair.

Greg’s eyes are glassy through a line of tears, “If you lose this case because of your ‘morals’ – I won’t forgive you.”

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Greg walks briskly from the jail, and where Ben would normally lag behind, he instead takes his time. Greg slows down and there is a strong tension between them.

A large group of cameras and microphones intercept them outside. One woman points a huge microphone in Greg’s surprised face. “Sir, are you Gregory Chrim or Ben Fieldhart?” A roar of voices follow hers.

“Chrim. What do you want?”

“Mr. Chrim, can you tell us what Simon Gibson will plead at the trial?”

“Mr. Chrim, did Simon have any sexual contact with Joey Sater – to your knowledge?”

“What?”

“Mr. Fieldhart, You had the boy stay in the apartment how many days after the kidnapping?”

“Mr. Fieldhart – ”

Ben hesitates and looks up at Greg who is pushing his way through the crowd and accidentally knocks down a reporter. “I..I’m sorry.”

The crowd of reporters burst into an uproar and Greg yells at them, “Get away from me you garbage!” The crowd grows silent and snap more pictures.

Greg and Ben run from the crowd and throw themselves onto their car. They quickly sit inside and close the doors. Greg sits in the quiet car and faintly sobs, “I can’t take it anymore! How could he do this! My life – my career, everything is ruined!” He flinches and bangs his hands on the wheel.

Ben is silent and stares at the rain residue on his window.

mr. Page break, you’re so fun…

Greg opens the door in frustration and flings his keys on a nearby chair. Ben quietly follows and hangs his baseball cap on the hat and key hooks.

Greg turns his back to Ben, “Benny, I’m going to go to sleep. And I want to sleep for a really long time, so please don’t wake me up. I don’t want to think, I don’t want to talk, I just want to go to sleep. Ok?” He waits for a reply like he needs permission to take a nap.

“Sure Greg,” Ben answers after a slight hesitation, “I might go out – it’ll be quiet in here.”

“Ok, thanks. Goodnight.” Greg turns a corner and retreats into the bedroom. He looks around the small room and stares for a moment at Simon’s unused bed. On an impulse, he passes his own and carefully crawls into Simon’s bed, relaxing. “Simon, I want it all back. All of it. The three of us and our stupid fights. I want it all.”

Ben hears his voice through the thin wall of the bathroom. “So do I Greg,” he whispers inaudibly.