The Judge

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God – Romans 13:1, NKJV

He was a judge.  I was in trouble.  I had two choices.  Go to jail for shop-lifting or sleep with him. I didn’t know what to do. I cried and came very close to giving into him but I felt impressed to pray about it.

I knew about God but I wasn’t close to Him. If I were, I guess I wouldn’t have shop-lifted. I don’t know why I did it. I wish I hadn’t, not because I got caught, but because it made me feel awful inside. If I had felt that way before I did it, I wouldn’t have done it.

So, I got down on my knees and I prayed. I don’t know how long I prayed but when I was done, I felt a peace I have never felt before in my life come over it. And I got the feeling that everything was going to be all right.

I went and saw the judge in his chambers. He wasn’t wearing his robe. “So, what have you decided, Tamara?” he asked me. “Would you rather go to jail and serve time for shop-lifting or consent to having a relationship with me? What I have proposed to you is a delicate decree and if you accept it, I will make sure that you don’t serve any time since this is your first time shop-lifting. Instead, you will take a consumer class, do community service, make restitution, pay a fine, stay away from the business and not have any other criminal violation while on probation. You will also have to pay a civil fine to the store.”

“I don’t want to go to jail but–“

He got up from the desk and came over to me. I could see the lust on his face and while he was an attractive man, I was repulsed. “Think about it. Instead of languishing in prison you could be lounging by my pool or in bed making love with me. We could take trips to where ever you want to go. I have a cabin in the woods. We could go there when my schedule allows it.”

“I’m not sure about this, your Honor.”

“You should be flattered, Tamara. A judge of my standing and background wants to be in a relationship with you. I could have any woman I want but I want you. I wanted you the moment you walked into my courtroom. I have thought of nothing else and that’s why I put this proposition to you. Be my lover or go to jail. It’s as simple as that.”

I was so happy I had my cell phone on me because it was recording our conversation. I figured that it would best for me to do that because without proof who would believe me? “I’m sorry, your Honor but I can’t do what you’re asking. I’m a Christian and I want to wait until I’m married before I have sex.”

His expression darkened. “How could you sit there and tell me that you’re a Christian when you got caught shop-lifting?” he demanded. “Where was your integrity and moral sensibility when you walked into the store and stole that blouse?”

“I don’t know what came over me. I saw it and I had to have it but I didn’t have enough money to buy it.”

“Now, you know how I feel. When I saw you, I knew I had to have you. Don’t be foolish. I can make this all go away. Just tell me what I want to hear, Tamara.”

He got down on his knees and before I knew what was happening, I was off the chair and lying on my back on the floor, stunned. He was pushing up my skirt and pulling down my underwear. He unbuckled his trousers and pushed them down along with his briefs and then he was between my legs. I panicked and struggled. My cell slipped out of the pocket of my jacket and fell on the floor. I cried out.

I could hear his harsh and unsteady breathing and his warm breath on my face. I fought as hard as I could, pushing at his chest but he was too strong. I could feel him getting ready to push his penis inside me and then…

Then, I suddenly felt him get off me and voices. I realized that we weren’t alone. A woman was leaning over me and saying something. I couldn’t understand what she was saying. I was in a daze.

I was taken from the room and I was in the hospital where I was examined. They gave me something for the shock. I learned that I would have been raped if the Judge’s secretary hadn’t come back to the office because she had forgotten her car keys. She heard me cry out and after calling Security for help, they rushed into the office and found him on top of me. I told them everything but when they tried to listen to my cell, it hadn’t recorded anything. The battery had gotten low and the cell needed charging.

If the Judge hadn’t tried to rape me, the truth wouldn’t have come out. He was arrested for attempted rape and criminal misconduct. When I appeared in court before another judge, I wasn’t given any jail time but had to do those things which the Judge had mentioned. After that ordeal, I never stole or broke the law again.

I went to church regularly and I developed a close relationship with God who saved me that day from the clutches of a lecherous man who was willing to pervert justice for his own selfish gain. He was appointed by God to serve his community and to uphold justice but he had abused his position and his power because of his lust for me.

I never wanted to see him again but when his trial came up, I had to go to court and give my testimony. It was hard sitting there, telling my story. That afternoon in his chamber, the situation had turned ugly and violent when I rejected his proposition. I didn’t hate him, though. I pitied him. He’s serving time in jail now.

I’m currently in a relationship with a wonderful Christian man. Like me, he wants to wait until marriage to have sex. Time will tell if he’s the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life with. I hope so.

Posted for November 2020 Writing Prompts – #29 – A delicate decree

Source:  AP News;