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Subornation of Perjury
By Annette
I remember that morning clearly, you came sauntering into the break room spouting something…
"Subornation of perjury is a legal term describing the act of presenting testimony you know is materially false as if it were factual. Generally, the knowledge that the testimony is materially false must rise above mere suspicion to what a reasonable person would have believed in the circumstances. For example, you cannot be willfully blind to the fact that you are giving false testimony. Anyone who actively encourages you to give false testimony is clearly guilty of suborning perjury."
I watch as you recite these lines – as you look me square in the eyes and ask if I understood what you'd just said. "Excuse me… what the hell are you going on about Sofia?"
"Subornation of perjury Sara. You've been presenting false testimony."
I couldn't believe my ears. How dare she accuse me of something like that! Even thought I know she's been somehow misinformed it still stings to have someone think I would ever do something like that. "Huh… I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't been to court in weeks! And even if I were I would never knowingly give false testimony. Just what are you talking about?"
She's smiling at me now, a real Chesire Cat grin, and I can't take my eyes off of her. "You don't have to be in court to give false testimony Sara. You've been telling me that you're seeing someone, am I right? But you're always here, so when exactly do you see this person?"
"I don't know how that's any of your business."
"Catherine tells me that you are in fact dating someone. So she is guilty of suborning perjury – but I'm not concerned about her. I'm sure she has her reasons for perpetuating that falsehood."
She's so close to me now that I can feel her breath on my neck. I want to push her away but my body is not cooperating with my mind. As a matter of fact it is at cross-purposes to it as I instead reach up and caress her cheek. Her eyes are so dark, her skin so soft, but not nearly as soft as her lips. Lips that are devouring me, and as her tongue pushes into my mouth I realize that she is right. I have been living a lie.
The End