September 29, 1989, Chapter 31 Summary

LaJoe and Lafeyette enter the detention center for Lafeyette's court hearing. She assures Lafeyette they will not keep him but her son is dubious. Lafeyette is on crutches having torn a ligament falling down a flight of stairs. They go into a room and sit with the other four boys accused of the same crime. Lafeyette barely knows them. One boy, Derrick, is the one Lafeyette saw break into the truck. Soon their public defender, Anne Rhodes, calls them into a small courtroom to explain their options. She is tall and intimidating so Lafeyette dislikes her right away. He doesn't know that she has a real concern for the children and believes most of them are innocent. She is simply overwhelmed with cases and can only spare a few minutes for each one. Later she returns and says the man whose...