In loving memory of my brother Larry and how we played And for David who dared me C C For Mark and Lisa R
The Punishment The verdict was in Ivy watched as her parents Dan and Carol Fitts who were on trial for embezzling thousands and thousands of dollars from the estate of Blackstone Mouton stood to face the judge She had a perfect view of her father's black curls so shiny they looked wet and her mother's perfect curls red Ivy’s brother Ray sat close by her side No one breathed Then came the verdict guilty sailing out and filling up the entire courtroom Guilty Ivy jumped to her feet outraged No she cried out Up until that moment throughout the whole long trial Ivy had sat as quiet and still as she knew how to be Her parents lawyer had told Ray and her to act like they were
in church not particularly helpful advice since they had never been to church and Ivy and Ray had tried their best So much for good behavior Ivy thought once the verdict was announced It didn't amount to a hill of beans Dan and Carol had been found guilty You're wrong she called out to the court and stamped her foot Order the judge barked order in the court and pounded his hammer on its hammering block The hammer made a sound that started and stopped
