Journal #6 Chapters 16-19 from the perspective of Tom Robinson

I walked in the court room, very nervous. Atticus persecuted Heck Tate first. He told a brief story. It went like this; I see Mr. Ewell and he says he needs me fast. I got to his house and Mayella was laying on the floor terrified. She was beat up really badly and says Tom Robinson raped her. Strangely they did not feel the need to call the doctor. Then Atticus persectued Mr. Ewell, Mayellas dad. He was asking for the story in his words and Mr. Ewell gave one along the same lines as Heck Tate. Although there were some slight additions. Mr. Ewell said she had a black eye on her right eye which means that the person that probably hit her was left handed. He also said she had fingerprint bruises around her neck like someone was choking her. Mr. Ewell also confirmed he had seen Tom Robinson run out as soon as he got to the house and that is why they know for sure who it was. Then Attticus asked Mr. Ewell a strange questions. He said can you read and write? Mr. Ewell said yes. So Atticus asked him to write his name on a piece of paper. Mr. Ewell did so and it turned out he was left handed. Then Atticus was done. He asked for Mayella next and she told her story of how she invited me in to her gate because she needed some little work done. She was going to get a nickel and she says I followed her then tackled her and raped her in her house. That was not at all true. She couldn't remember everything perfectly but she supposedly said I overturned furniture and made lots of messes and I would not let her go. Then when her dad got there she said I reaced out the door. She then said Mr. Ewell turned and asked her who did it? Who did it? As of when Atticus asked Mr. Ewell his story, he said he had seen who it was. Mayella is a very different person. The Ewells have not so good of reputation and al their kids only go to school for the longest time being 3 years. They are pretty trashy whites and they like to hang around and with the black community. Mr. Ewell as well had mixed children who fit in anywhere and he is always drunk or drinking, ever since his ex-fiance killed herself right before their wedding. Now it was my turn to go tell my story. The real story, the truth. I stood up and Mr. Ewell was definately shocked, Mayella, and all the people in the court room that didn't know me were too. See when I was a boy I was working on a field by the cotton gin and my arm got stuck and ripped tissue and muscle so my arm didn't grow anymore and I have no ability or strength whatsoever in my left arm. I got to the stand and this is my story; I was walking along Mayellas street when she invited me in because she needed a chore done. Although this time she needed it in her house. To do so I needed to stand on the top of the chair. While I was standing there Mayella grabbed my ankles and I fell off and the chair overturned. She grabbed me and kissed me and told me to kiss her and wouldn't let me leave. She was holding me in very much and I do not have that much strength to let go because of my handicap. Everyone seemed intrigued and the story went on. I then said Mr. Ewell walked up and immediately saw me and I ran. Now all of the furniture they were complaining about being overturned was just the chair and I just explained ehy that happened. I ran because I was scared. I was scared because if you were a nigger to you would be scared to be amongst white people in that kind of situation. Atticus then asked me multiple questions about Mayella and our relationship. I went on about how I have been to her property many of times but that was the first time I ever was in her house. I was on her property before because she asked me come and help with little chores and things that I was happy to do, she seemed like a nice young lady. Every time I was on her property it was from an invitation, never once did I enter without being invited. I pass by the Ewells house everyday on my way to work. Atticus then said thank you and he had no further questions.