Chapter 2

The court was yet again filled with magnificent light. The silence was calming.

Nait opened his eyes and sat up. He was sitting all alone in the jury section of the court. He could see the young woman sitting in the seat he was once in. She was beautiful and had long blonde hair. She straightened her blue dress and looked around, but didn’t seem to notice Nait.

Nait began to get up and speak to her. Suddenly, fear struck him, realizing the presence of The Light.

“Lolowfré,” The Light called.

The young woman darted her head to the front of the court. “What’s going on?” she asked. “What am I doing here?”

“You were given precious life, Lolowfré,” The Light said. “You knew death could seize you at any moment. You were given a conscience and it helped reveal to you right from wrong. But you violated that conscience many times over and seared it, thinking you would never be accountable for your actions.”

“Seared it?” Lolowfré responded.

“Your conscience is like a smoke detector,” The Light said. “When it is seared, it is as if you removed the batteries from the smoke detector.”

“I did the right things,” Lolowfré said. “I followed my heart and was true to myself.”

The screen began to display the words “Jerimiah 17:9.”

And The Light said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and is desperately wicked: who can know it?”

“My heart is not wicked,” Lolowfré insisted.

“I am telling you the truth,” The Light replied. “I am the origin of knowledge, reason, wisdom, intelligence, and understanding. Do you think these things originated from a non-intelligent and or random source?”

“My heart is not wicked,” Lolowfré repeated.

The screen began to play images of Lolowfré’s life. She could be seen smiling to people she met. Her public life was classy, and many women wanted to be like her over the years. She went to the grocery store, celebrated birthdays with friends, went to the movies, shopped for clothes, ate out at restaurants, and went to town festivals.

A pleasantly, friendly smile appeared on Lolowfré face as the screen went black.

“Do you think there are things about you that I do not know?” The Light asked.

“I’m not sure how to answer that,” Lolowfré claimed.

“Let me tell you what people of the earth have realized about me,” The Light said.

The screen displayed “Psalm 139:13.”

The Light said, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

Then the screen displayed “Psalm 139:16.”

And The Light said, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Lolowfré did not seem fazed.

“I love all mankind, Lolowfré,” The Light said, “even before they are born. I have a plan and purpose for all people. Whether they experience good or bad, if they humble themselves and turn to me, they will not stray from my plan for them. I have a deep compassion for mankind. But their wicked heart must be dealt with. My nature and mankind’s nature are different. My nature is like a blazing fire. But mankind’s sinful nature is like a leaf. I did not put this sinful nature within mankind. You and all mankind born on earth inherited it. And you and all mankind willfully follow that nature. You willfully choose to do wrong.”

The screen began to display a court case. There was a judge seated. In front of him was two men. One of the men had remorseful tears running down his cheek. The other man lacked such expression. At times he seemed to be angry at the judge and other times he appeared to be completely indifferent.

The screen showed the judge up close as he had his hand on his forehead. Tears ushered profusely down his cheeks. Greater remorse emitted from his than the town men combined.

Someone in the video announced, “Judge Goodman will now be issuing the sentencing.”

The two men on trial didn’t seem to notice the judge’s grief. He wiped his eyes and said, “Adam. Henry. What you did to those women was heinous, atrocious, and despicable.”

Voices in the crowd silently chattered as cameras briefly flashed. “He’s going to hold back,” some whispered. “The Goodman brothers deserve nothing good,” another added. “It’s been a long time coming for them. Those two are terrible criminals.”

“For your dreadful crimes,” the judge said, “I am sentencing you to life in prison with no parole.”

The screen went off.

“What should the judge have done, Lolowfré?” The Light asked.

Lolowfré said nothing.

“Be honest,” The Light added.

“Any judge should do the right thing and see that justice is served,” Lolowfré responded.

A number appeared on the screen. It read “90,123.”

Lolowfré looked at the number. “What’s that mean?” she questioned under her breath.

“Do you know how this number is connected to you?” The Light asked.

“I have no clue,” Lolowfré said.

“That is the number of times you lied in your life,” The Light explained.

Lolowfré covered her mouth with her hand in awe.

“Lolowfré, you are a liar,” The Light said.

“I couldn’t have possibly have told that many lies,” Lolowfré said. “What ordinary person could?”

“Did you count or keep track of the lies you told?” The Light asked.

“No,” Lolowfré hesitantly said.

“Then how would you know?” The Light responded. “What would you have said if you were asked?”

Lolowfré paused. She brushed her hand through her hair. “I would have said countless. Or I would have said hundreds.”

“Surely the true number is more generous than ‘countless,’” The Light said.

The screen displayed Lolowfré losing her temper with a server at a restaurant and, another time, a cashier. The situation with the cashier was heated and the cashier exhibited patience and responded with continuous kindness. The server after a while began to argue with Lolowfré and they both slandered each other with vile name calling and words.

“In which situation were you right?” The Light asked.

“The cashier made a stupid mistake,” Lolowfré insisted. “She should have known how to do her simple job. She had been working there for long enough.”

“You were aware it was a mistake,” The Light said. “It was an honest mistake that the young lady did not want to happen.”

“Well the server didn’t make an honest mistake,” Lolowfré said.

“In which situation were you right?” The Light repeated. “Should you have acted in that manner?”

Lolowfré rested back in her seat with her elbows on the platform and fist on her temple.

The screen showed the number four.

“This number deals with your willingness to wrongfully take something that does not belong to you,” The Light said. “You are a thief. Did you follow that pure heart?”

“No, I didn’t follow it,” Lolowfré began, “but it . . . was just four. And I didn’t say my heart was pure—,” Lolowfré shut herself up.

“No,” The Light said. “Haven’t you realized you don’t keep track of all your wrongs. This time, the screen is only showing the number of times you committed theft that you haven’t forgotten. But every time you stole, you did it with the knowledge that what you were doing was wrong.”

Lolowfré was still silent.

“It is clear that your heart is not pure,” The Light added. “And you know it. Yet you claim it is not wicked. What would you call it then?”

“I’m not a bad person!” Lolowfré insisted.

“What are you then?” The Light asked.

Lolowfré said nothing.

“Listen to what was written of me,” The Light said.

The screen read “Proverbs 21:2”

The Light said, “A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

“My heart is not wicked,” Lolowfré said. “I was true to myself. I know what I’m talking about!”

The screen began to play. It showed Lolowfré talking with a boy. They were in front of a school. The boy made Lolowfré giggle. She enjoyed being around him and her face did not hide it. The boy’s ride came. “See you tomorrow,” he said.

“We don’t have school tomorrow,” Lolowfré replied.

“I know,” the boy smiled. “I think it’s fitting I take you out on a date. I know the exams are getting to you.”

“Aww,” Lolowfré responded. “I’ve been waiting for you to take me on another date. See you tomorrow.”

The boy left. Lolowfré’s grin remained. A car pulled up and another student got out of the car. He straightened his letterman jacket and proceeded to the entrance of the school. He noticed Lolowfré. “Hey,” he said.

“Hey,” Lolowfré replied with her eyebrows up.

“What are you doing here?” the guy said. “School is over for the day.”

“I know,” Lolowfré said. “I’m clearly waiting for my ride. What are you doing back here?”

“I had to talk with my teacher about an assignment before the weekend,” the guy answered.

“I see,” Lolowfré said. “Well, get to it. Don’t let me stop you. Your teacher could leave any moment.”

“Would you like me to take you home if you are still here when I get back?” the guy asked.

“I’m fine,” Lolowfré said.

“Don’t you live a few blocks from me?” the guy remembered. “We’re basically going the same way. There’s no need for you to stand out here any longer.”

“My mom is picking me up and taking me somewhere,” Lolowfré said.

The guy looked around. “Are you sure?” he said.

“Yes,” Lolowfré insisted.

“Okay,” he smiled. “I get it, I get it. Listen, I’m free this weekend. Want to come chill with me? I got a full tank and money to spare. We could go wherever you want.”

“Um, no,” Lolowfré laughed.

“We don’t talk like I feel we should,” the guy said. “We’re practically neighbors. We should definitely hang out sometime.”

“Sure,” Lolowfré sarcastically replied.

“I’m serious,” the guy said.

Lolowfré giggled.

“You have a cute laugh,” the guy said.

“You are going to miss your teacher,” Lolowfré warned.

“That’s not important right now,” the guy said. “Assignments come and go.”

Lolowfré looked into the distance.

“Don’t you think it’d be interesting?” the guy asked.

“Look,” Lolowfré started, “I have a boyfriend. He’s getting a car soon, and he can take me wherever he wants. I’ll be fine without driving around with you.”

“That’s not an answer,” the guy smiled.

“I don’t have to answer,” Lolowfré said.

“I think it would be interesting,” the guy said. “It’d be cool if you felt the same way.”

“I didn’t say it wouldn’t be interesting,” Lolowfré admitted.

“We’re just going to hang out,” the guy said. “There isn’t anything wrong with that.”

“I guess,” Lolowfré responded.

“I can pick you up around noon,” the guy said.

“No,” Lolowfré blurted.

“Why not?” the guy responded. “You don’t have to walk, but I could walk to your place and we can walk back to my house together.”

“No,” Lolowfré said. “That’s worse. I don’t want anybody to get the wrong idea.”

“So, you’ll just meet me at my place?” the guy asked.

“Yes,” Lolowfré answered.

“Cool,” the guy replied. “See you then, Lolowfré.”

The following day, Lolowfré exited her house with a faint smile. Once in front of the guys house, she rang the doorbell. She saw that there was only one car in the driveway. The door opened. She entered. Her cellphone rang as the door closed. It was her boyfriend. She chose not to answer. I’ll call him back in a little while, she thought.

The screen started to fast forward with a view of the house Lolowfré had entered. She never came back out that day. The display went back to normal speed and showed Lolowfré leaving the house, waving with a blushful grin. Then, the display ended.

“Did you ever call your boyfriend back like you thought?” The Light asked.

Lolowfré didn’t answer.

“Did you contact him?” The Light said.

Lolowfré sighed. “No, I didn’t call him back,” she answered. “But I did text him.”

“When did you text him?” The Light asked.

“After I left the house,” Lolowfré answered. “. . . and before.”

“What did you tell him before?” The Light asked.

“Please,” Lolowfré mumbled.

The screen began to view text messages.

One text read, “Where are you?”

The next text read, “I’m home. We’ll need to reschedule our date. Family errands.”

The screen went off.

“Did you have family errands that day like you wanted him to believe?” The Light said.

“Of course, I didn’t!” Lolowfré blurted. “The video showed enough.”

“Not only were you not home, but you had no family errands,” The Light said.

“I didn’t hurt my boyfriend!” Lolowfré exclaimed.

“Wrong and sin is not limited to only things that hurt others or yourself,” The Light said. “Have you ever considered that you can hurt someone without them feeling the hurt? You recall the time you and your mother were in that car accident. Your mother’s arm was so badly damaged, she did not feel pain. But was she not still hurt?”

“That’s what I felt was right,” Lolowfré said. “It felt right.”

“No,” The Light said. “In that situation, you confused pleasure and the desire for excitement for what is right. What you feel is right and what you know to be right are two different things.”

“It’s not like that,” Lolowfré said. “I . . .” She put her head on her forehead.

“Did you tell your boyfriend what you did?” The Light asked.

“How could I?” Lolowfré lamented.

“Yes,” The Light said. “How could you? How could you do such a thing with a heart like you spoke of and as a good person?”

Lolowfré remained silent.

“Would it not have been fair?” The Light continued. “Wouldn’t you have wanted him to treat you with enough decency to not keep things concealed?”

“I don’t care,” Lolowfré said.

“People say many things and stand by their boasted claims until they are put into the situation of question,” The Light said.

The screen came on. It showed a car slowing down and eventually stopping at a side walk. It was the boyfriend of Lolowfré. He watched with a faint smile of wonder as Lolowfré walked on a sidewalk and to someone’s porch. Doesn’t that football dude live there? He thought. The door opened. What’s going on?! He frantically reached for his cellphone and dialed Lolowfré as he saw two individuals looking into each other’s eyes, uncertain of where things would go.

The boyfriend wiped his forehead and felt every thud of his heart. He texted Lolowfré. With her response, her drove off. The screen fast forwarded to that night and showed the heavy tears run off his face. He sat in a chair in his room.

“He saw?!” Lolowfré shouted.

“Yes, he saw,” The Light confirmed.

“He never said anything to me,” Lolowfré baffled. “He . . . hid it so well.”

“You gave yourself to that guy that day,” The Light said. “You had no business in his house. What good could have come from it?”