Chapter 75
In reality,the room looked very plain.The walls,two of which were built of brick,were painted a creamy tan.Other than a few signs telling us to turn off cell phones and naming the courtroom,only one large,hideous picture of a river and hills hung behind the judge’s desk.Seriously ugly.
The judge’s desk looked as if created with cheap fabric panels,like the kind in office cubicles.It was plain and sort of a letdown to think this was where sentences for murderers took place.I’d really thought it would be something more intimidating.
I tugged at my button-down shirt and wished this was already over so I could change into a T-shirt and shorts.Jeff looked just as uncomfortable as we stared at each other,unsure what to do next.
It had taken a couple of months for my father to finally agree to a deal.I’m sure it had more to do with tormenting his kids and my grandparents than caring how long he would be in jail.He knew he would likely die there.
Back in June,we’d finally been given today’s date for the sentencing,which happened to be the same day we planned to leave for college.
We’d spent the summer working hard and saving as much money as possible.Most of the days I didn’t work,my grandparents would meet me at the house and we’d spend hours going through items,deciding what to keep,trash,or donate.My first afternoon there had been the hardest.We’d gone through Mom’s things,and seeing her jewelry and books started the tears.
Jeff had wanted to help,but I wouldn’t let him that first day.I’d needed it to be with just my grandparents and Pamela.He’d understood.
By the last week of July,the house was on the market.Grandpa had called me just last night to say we had an offer and he’d keep me posted.
Earlier today,Jeff and I had finished packing our vehicles—most of the big items went into his truck bed—then packed clothes for later in a duffel bag.We planned on leaving right after court.
I couldn’t believe it was finally time to head off to college.A new chapter in my life with the man I loved.Our relationship had only deepened over the summer and I was eager for us to share our college years and grow together.I knew a lot of people thought we wouldn’t make it,due to our age,but we’d never felt more confident about our love.Still,we knew we would argue.We knew things wouldn’t be perfect.But we’d made a commitment to each other and agreed that love was a decision.It wasn’t always rainbows and hearts and unicorns,but helping each other through the hard times.
And Jeff had clearly shown me he was up to the job.I wasn’t sure I could’ve made it through this year without his support.I’d not had the opportunity to show him I’d always be there for him,too,but I knew nothing could change my mind or make me give up on him.
Laura Morgan entered and spied us standing at the end of a row of chairs.She smiled and held up her index finger,gesturing for us to wait.She looked professional in a navy blue suit,her hair up in a bun.
The door opened and my grandparents walked in with Pamela close behind.My sister looked nervous,so I made a beeline straight to her.
“Hey,”I said,putting my arm around her shoulders and giving her a hug.“You okay?”
She stayed quiet,but shook her head.
“I know.This is going to be hard.But we’ll get through it together,okay?”
Pamela gave me a wobbly smile and I could see she was on the verge of tears.Maybe seeing our father wasn’t the best thing for her.I glanced at my grandma,and her smile matched Pamela’s.Okay,maybe it was just going to be a hard day for everyone.
Without a word of instruction,Jeff stepped right in.“Hey,Pammy-Lammy.”
She giggled quietly.“Hi.”
“You ready for the new school year?”
She brightened immediately.“Yes!I’m really excited because the school is giving us all laptops to use this year.”
“That’s great.”
My heart felt a little lighter as I watched him distract her from the dismal situation.I made my way to my grandparents and gave them each a hug.
“Have you seen Aunt Elizabeth?”I asked,worried she might show up and make a scene.
They both shook their heads and I took a deep breath.Maybe she’d finally come to her senses about my father,too.
“You and Jeff all packed for college?”Grandpa asked.
I nodded.“We’re heading out straight from here.”
He pulled something out of his pocket.“I wanted to give you this later,but I’m afraid we may be…busy with dealing with…”He rolled his eyes heavenward for a moment.Grandma patted his arm and he placed his hand on hers.He cleared his throat.“I just want to make sure I don’t forget to give you this.”
He handed me a folded envelope.When I opened it,I found a check for fifteen-hundred dollars and several twenty dollar bills.My eyebrows raised.“What’s this for?”
“The check is for you to put in your account to help with extras for your freshman year.And the cash is to help you with the next couple of days—gas,food,anything you need.”
“But that’s a lot of money.”
Grandma’s eyes teared up.“It’s something we wanted to do.Just take it and let us be happy about helping you.”
I blinked back the tears and hugged them again.“Thank you.”
“We’re so proud of you,”Grandpa told me.“You’ve grown into a wonderful young man.”
Laura Morgan arrived at my side just then.We turned in sync as I slipped the envelope into my back pocket.
“Hello,everyone.I’m sorry it’s taken so long to get here,but the day has finally arrived.So,the way it’s going to progress is he’ll be brought in and seated at the front table over there.His lawyer will sit with him.The judge will ask him if he agrees to the plea,and then he’ll have to state what he did.After that,before the sentencing,the judge will ask if any of you would like to make an impact statement.Aaron,I understand you have something you want to say,is that right?”
I patted my pocket and felt the crumpled paper I’d worked on last night.I nodded.
Laura led us to seats behind the prosecution’s table and I gestured for Jeff and Pamela to join us.I ended up between the two of them,with my grandparents on the other side of my sister.
Judy showed up a few minutes later,sat behind us,and patted my shoulder.
A door opened across the room.Several people wearing prison jumpsuits filed inside and sat on a long bench.My father wasn’t with them,though.I wondered why the rest were here—what had they done?Had they murdered someone,too?
Jeff wove his fingers through mine as he whispered,“If you get nervous or upset,squeeze my hand as hard as you need.”
God,he was sexy.But there was so much more about him.I loved his eyes,and those lips drove me crazy,but it was his heart that made me fall in love with him.The outer package was great to look at,and I freely admitted to doing that often,but knowing the kind of man he was,knowing he was always there for me,it was more than I had ever dreamed of.There was no way I could ever feel this close to anyone else.
“I love you,”I whispered.