Jimmy Read Online Free

don’t want to talk with everybody looking at me.”
    Daddy patted him on the arm. “People are supposed to talk when they sit in the witness chair. That’s why Dr. Paris answered our questions.”
    Jimmy looked at Mama. She nodded her head. Daddy stepped back toward the table where Jake sat.
    â€œJimmy, do you know Judge Robinson?”
    Of course Jimmy knew Mr. Robinson. They attended the same church, and after the Sunday morning service, Jimmy often saw him talking to Daddy beneath the large trees near the main entrance to the sanctuary.
    â€œYes, sir,” he answered. “But I didn’t know until this morning that his first name was Judge.”
    The witnesses and observers remaining in the courtroom laughed, so Jimmy did too. He had to admit it was a funny name. No one at his school was named Judge.
    â€œIf Judge Robinson asks you to promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, will you do it?” Daddy asked.
    This question was hard. Jimmy kept his mouth shut. Daddy spoke again with a slight edge in his voice.
    â€œAnswer the question.”
    Jimmy leaned forward in the chair. He knew that being polite was always a good response when he felt confused.
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Dr. Paris went over to Daddy and whispered in his ear. Daddy listened for a few seconds. Dr. Paris returned to her seat.
    â€œJimmy, how old are you?” Daddy asked.
    Jimmy relaxed. “Twelve.”
    â€œWhen is your birthday?”
    â€œMy birthday is June 5.”
    â€œWhen is my birthday?”
    â€œJuly 14.”
    â€œWhen is your mama’s birthday?”
    â€œMy mama’s birthday is the day before Christmas. That makes her the best present in the whole world.”
    Jimmy smiled at Mama. She came to live in their house the summer after Jimmy turned five. She returned his smile in a way that meant she wanted to give him a hug.
    Mr. Laney stood.
    â€œJudge, I’ve been lenient in not objecting, but we’re not planning birthday parties today. I can’t see the relevance of this line of questioning.”
    Daddy turned toward the judge. “I’m illustrating Jimmy’s ability to truthfully relate concrete pieces of information. He’s been correct on all the dates he’s mentioned thus far.”
    â€œVery well. Move on,” Mr. Robinson said.
    â€œJimmy, what is a lie?” Daddy asked.
    â€œA lie is a sin. People who tell lies will be thrown into a lake of fire.”
    The previous Sunday, Jimmy had listened in fear as Brother Fitzgerald, the preacher at their church, thundered from the pulpit that people who tell lies will be thrown into a lake of fire. Jimmy didn’t like regular water and most certainly didn’t want to be thrown into a lake of fire.
    â€œDo you think it’s bad to tell a lie?”
    Mr. Robinson interrupted. “I think he’s made that point more clearly than any witness who’s ever appeared in this courtroom.”
    â€œYes, Your Honor.” Daddy smiled at Jimmy. “Can you tell us an example of a lie so we can be sure you understand what it means?”
    Jimmy adjusted his glasses. “What’s an example?”
    Daddy kept calm. “How about the fishing story you told me this morning while we were eating breakfast.”
    Jimmy looked puzzled. “You already know it.”
    â€œBut Judge Robinson hasn’t heard it. He wants you to tell what happened.”
    Jimmy looked up at the judge. Mr. Laney spoke. “Your Honor, Mr. Mitchell is turning this trial into a mockery and circus—”
    â€œQuiet,” the judge responded. “I want to hear the fishing story. Go ahead, Jimmy.”
    Jimmy took a deep breath. “A man fishing at Webb’s Pond the other day told me and Grandpa a lie.”
    â€œWhat did he lie about?” Daddy asked.
    â€œHe came up to talk to Grandpa and said he’d caught a big bass that he was going to put on his