Post 6 - Chapters 16-19 - Mayella Ewell

Journal #6
Chapters 16-19
Perspective: Mayella Ewell

I was standing outside the local court in Maycomb waiting to go inside for the case to start. I was so nervous that I was sweating… or maybe it was the heat. I was tapping my foot just waiting for time to pass by. It was my court case today. Papa and I accused Tom Robinson of raping me. I know it’s not true but we didn’t know how else to hide the truth. Papa and I had an acquiescence that we won’t tell the truth and make up a story that is similar to the real one but can make Tom look guilty. We rehearsed over and over again and got our story straight. I was ready for the case but it seemed like the time just went my slower and slower every second.
Finally it was about time that they let us inside. It was 90 something degrees out there. I went inside and I sat in the first row of seats where all of the witnesses were seated. I waited and waited until Judge Taylor came in and started the court session. The first witness called up was Mr. Heck Tate. He just explained how I looked when I was beat up and which eye was my black eye. I glanced over to the defendant’s seat where Tom Robinson was seated. I can still remember that day as if it was yesterday… it was the worst day of my life. I was completely oblivious that I had started daydreaming and by the time I woke up Mr. Heck Tate was walking off of the stands and papa was called to the stands.
Mr. Gilmer was asking him what he had seen that day and if he agrees with Mr. Heck Tate’s description of how I looked afterwards. But then Atticus started asking questions. He started asking if he went to go get a doctor. What kind of question was that? Like seriously? Then he asked a question that tricked my father and almost blew our cover. He asked my dad if he could write his name on a piece of paper… almost everyone was shocked. He didn’t even have a clue on why people are making a big deal. Then Mr. Taylor told him that he was left handed. And my black eye was my right eye… Right then and there I knew that I hated Atticus and I was afraid that he was going to trick me too.
“Mayella Violet Ewell!” called Mr. Gilmer. My heart was beating so hard that I could feel it through my chest. I walked up to the stands slowly and amiably and Mr. Gilmer started to ask me questions. He asked me things like “where were you that evening?” And “Can you explain in your own words what happened?” I answered the questions and I suddenly burst into tears. I started crying because I knew that Atticus was going to trick me too and mock me. Judge Taylor asked me what was wrong and I told him that I didn’t like how Atticus tricked my father with the writing trick and how I didn’t want him to do that to me too. He told me that I was a big girl and he told me to continue with my story. I told him that Tom was passing by my house and I asked him if he could chop up a chiffrobe and when I told him that I was going to give him a nickel he came up behind me choked me and took advantage of me. Then Mr. Finch started asking me the questions. He called me things like “Ms. Mayella and Ma’m” I didn’t like him. I could tell that he “wanted to be my friend” I just wanted him to be dispelled. He started to ask me things like “Has your father ever beaten you?” And “Do you love your father Ms. Mayella?” It got on my nerves! I thought he was mocking me I didn’t like it one bit. I started to cry again and I told him that my father has never touched one hair on my head. I was relieved that they called me off the stands but then next was Tom Robinson.
He told his side of the story about how he usually chops things up for me when I don’t want to do it and how that day I tried to kiss him… once he said this I froze. In my head I was screaming… I couldn’t believe that he actually told everyone that. I was so afraid because I knew that was the truth. I looked over to my dad and his face turned bright red. I could tell that it seemed like he was going to explode and it looked like the jury was believing Tom Robinson’s side of the story. I had no idea what to do.