Page 1 of Jury Woman, Part 2 of 6

August 1, Saturday

I WAITED until everyone was in the same room—a minor logistical feat—then turned off the television.

Warren looked up from his phone. Lily looked up from hers. Josh, on the floor with Tucker sprawled across his legs, raised his head with the mild suspicion of someone who'd learned that nothing good followed the sound of the TV going off.

"I was selected to serve on the jury… as an alternate."

They were silent, as if waiting for a punchline.

"As an alternate," Warren said. "What does that mean?"

"Alternates sit in the jury box with the regular jurors, but alternates don't participate in deliberations."

"Will you have to be there every day?" Josh asked.

I nodded.

Lily frowned. "That sucks. What time will you be home?"

I took a deep breath. "I won't be…coming home…until the trial is over."

Warren squinted. "Wait—what?"

"The jury is being sequestered. I told you this might happen."

"What does sequestered mean?" Josh asked.

"It means the jurors will live together in a hotel."

Lily laughed. "Like a reality show?"

I pursed my lips. "Kind of. Except this is actual reality. We'll be in the courtroom on weekdays."

"So you'll be home on the weekends," Warren said. Not a question.

"No," I said evenly. "I won't be coming home until the trial is over."

"They're kidnapping you?" Lily said. "Is that legal?"

"I see why you got a C in government."

"When do you leave?" Josh asked, clearly stricken.

"Tomorrow afternoon."

"Tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?"

"TOMORROW?"

Lily's mouth opened and closed, then opened again. "But school starts Monday!"

"I know."

"So—" She looked at her father, then back at me. "Who's going to do everything?"

"You're sixteen. You have your dad. Aunt Elaine is five minutes away."