Read The Insanity Plea for Free Online

big boys tonight?”
    No mercy at Fonde. Wayne shot him the
finger.
    “Now, there’s an attitude I like. Strip
off that sweatshirt. We’re on.”
    The game started with Wayne bringing
the ball up the court. He was the only white guy on either team but he knew all
the players and their moves. As he crossed mid-court an opposing guard blocked
his way. Wayne feinted right, dribbled the ball behind his back, took two steps
and fired the ball to Duke under the basket. Two points. Wayne continued to
play with a fire that he rarely showed and led his team to an easy win. They
lost their next game, but won two more before the evening was over.
    As they were toweling the sweat off
in the bleachers, Duke said, “Well, my man, you really did kick some butt
tonight. You keep playing like that, I may have to give you a new name. Ready
for a beer?”
    Wayne slumped his shoulders, stared
at the floor and then up at his friend. “Don’t think so, Duke. I’ve already
been drunk once today and just sobered up in time to get over here. I think I
just better head home.”
    A frown crossed Duke’s face as he put
his arm around Wayne’s shoulders. “Sorry, man, but I ain’t letting you go home.
You got some problem you need to tell your Uncle Duke about. Let’s just drive
out to Canyon Creek and get some food in your stomach. Then you can tell me
what got you to drinking in the middle of the afternoon.”
    Canyon Creek was just off I-10, close
to Memorial Park and Duke’s high rise apartment. It catered to joggers, golfers
and other athletes who frequented Memorial Park. After work, it was packed with
a young crowd that thinned as the evening advanced. On this Wednesday night,
Wayne and Duke arrived just before closing and the place was deserted. Wayne
ordered a cheeseburger, barbecue beans and iced tea. Duke doubled Wayne’s order,
threw in some fries and added a Budweiser. Having their pick of tables, they
chose one by the window. Both ate in silence for several minutes before Duke
took another swig of his beer, let out a satisfied belch and said, ‘Okay, it’s
just you and me in here. What’s eating on you?”
    Wayne swallowed a mouthful of barbecue
beans, wiped a stray bean from his mouth and replied, “Look, Duke, I don’t
really want to talk about it. It’s personal. I just need to deal with it.”
    “Why, you son of a bitch,” Duke
grinned through a mouthful of burger, “You finally got that blonde you’ve been
dating into bed and knocked her up, haven’t you?”
    A wan smile crossed Wayne’s face. “I
wish it was that simple. Hell, I’m long past being old enough to be married. If
it was that, I’d just do the right thing. You know, marry her and get on with
my life. Forget it, Duke. When I’m ready to talk, you’ll be the first to know.”
    “Nosiree. Ain’t gonna happen.” Duke’s
voice was beginning to echo through the empty restaurant. “Ain’t I your
brother? Answer me that.”
    “Duke, keep your voice down.”
    “Done.” His voice dropped a couple of
octaves. “But we’re not leaving here until I know what’s chewing on your ass.”
    Wayne stared out the window and
finally turned to Duke. “You know Harry Klein, the D. A. down in Galveston?”
    “Come on, Wayne, don’t dis me. Have
you forgotten that I’m a criminal lawyer? I’m down there at least once a month.
Of course I know him.”
    “I used to have a brother when I was
growing up. Klein sent word to me today that he’s been charged with capital
murder.”
    Duke got up from his chair, walked to
the front and came back with two beers. Setting one in front of Wayne, he said,
“Now, that’s just a little bit confusing, isn’t it? You say you used to have a
brother like he died, and now you’re telling me that he rose from the dead and
is charged with murder. You see something a little wrong with this picture?”
    Wayne sighed, “Okay, that’s all I’m
going to say tonight. It’s a long, complicated story and I’m exhausted.