I re-wrote a big part of the book, Goodbye Days. I chose to do this because I enjoyed thinking of how the story could be told in his father’s view. I re-wrote the scene where carver and his family go to the lawyers office. The class was English, Mr. Seng. The title is “Going to the Lawyer’s office.”
Meet with the Lawyers (Carver’s Dad’s View)
“Today is going to be a long and stressful day,” I started to say to Carver, “But don’t worry, everything will work out. You aren’t guilty of anything. You did nothing wrong.” Carver and I ate our breakfast. We got dressed to get ready to go to the lawyer’s office. Once we got there, we checked in and sat in their oak-paneled waiting room. It smelled like smoke from cigarettes, leather from all the chairs, and paper. On the mini tables were sports magazines, and there were hunting dogs and golfers on the walls. As I sit down, I wonder how hard this must be for Carver. Carver sits down in between us and opens a magazine. I wonder if Carver is as nervous and anxious as I am. My legs are bouncing, and my heart starts beating a little faster.
Carver tells us about how Mars’ dad and brother were lawyers. He smiles remembering some things about his friends. A door opens at the end of a hallway, and a guy with tattoos on his face with icy blue eyes steps out. He calls our name, and we all get up. I put a hand on Carver’s shoulder and tell him we are ok.
“Mr. Krantz? Carver Briggs is here to see you,” the receptionist says to him.
“Hi guys, take a seat. My name is Jimmy Krantz. You can call me Jimmy. It’s a pleasure.”
My wife, Carver, and I all walk into this nice conference room. In the room is a bookshelf, more leather chairs, and golf pictures. Mr. Krantz asks about the accident. I spoke up so Carver didn’t have to say it all over again. As I explain what happened, Jimmy takes notes. He asks if I had a role in the accident. Mr. Krantz asks about it having to do with texting. Carver takes a deep breath and starts talking. He told him how he was planning to meet his three friends. They were coming back from the mall after seeing a movie. As Jimmy keeps taking notes, he asks who was driving and some other small questions to fill in little holes. Jimmy reminds Carver about attorney-client privilege.
Mr. Krantz asked Carver who he texted. Carver replied, “Mars.” Mr. Krantz then asked Carver why he didn’t text one of his other two friends who wasn’t driving. Carver told him that Mars always answered the quickest, and he wasn’t thinking because he was getting impatient. My wife adds how Carver never meant to hurt anyone. I felt parts on by body becoming sweaty. Jimmy explains how Carver could be criminally charged by the offense of involuntary manslaughter. I ask him to elaborate because I was still confused about why this applies to Carver. He basically tells us that if you have a good idea that someone could die from your actions, and you do it, then you are on the hook for it.
Jimmy explains how the DA, Karen Walker, is up for reelection and needs the black vote. Since Edwards is the judge, he holds tremendous sway with the voting. Listening to him talk make me angry. This case could turn into a political matter. I speak up in a low, harsh tone, “This is all crap.” Jimmy agrees with me. He tells us that we must wait for now to see what the DA does He advises Carver not to tell anyone about this.
“Is there any good news?” my wife asks.
“Carver wasn’t in the car.” Jimmuy replies.
We finish up the meeting. I get up and shake hands with Jimmy. Carver walks in between us as we walk out. “I’m sorry Mom and Dad.” Carver says. I put my arm around him. I tell him once again that he has nothing to worry about. He didn’t intentionally do anything wrong.
As we get in the car, I think to myself how this could go terribly wrong. We could lose our house. I didn’t want to worry myself, so I turned on the radio and drove home.
