When I started to stand up, Jackson grabbed my arm and pulled me back down. I knew I was yelling at the judge , but I couldn't make myself stop. "It's not fair. It didn't happen the way Fletcher said. Damn it! You can't take me away from home."

        Judge Shields' voice turned hard as nails. "I can and I have." He stood up and pulled that black robe-thing down over his backside. Then he hooked a thumb at the sheriff . "Henry, have your deputy take John over to Fire Oak today."

       I had to get him back. " Judge , please," but he went into a little office back of the bench and closed the door. I turned to Henry Deetz. " Sheriff , I got to talk to him."

       "Too late, John. I'll give you a couple of minutes with your mother and then you'll be on your way. I'll be right here, so no funny stuff."