who takes it to the judge. My stomach is feeling like the sea in the middle of a storm. No matter how much breathing I do, it won’t calm, and if I keep the deep breaths happening, I might hyperventilate. The judge unfolds the piece of paper that holds the fate of that pathetic excuse of a human in his hand. He reads it before he presents it back to the court officer who extends it to the spokesperson.
“We, the jury, find the defendant, Jacob Smith… not guilty.”
“No! That’s not fair. He killed my sister!” I shout at the jury. I can hear my mother trying to calm me down, but all I feel right now is rage, rage and hate toward Jacob Smith. I watch him as he’s thanking his lawyer, shaking their hands, and smiling.
Oh, how I wish I could wipe that smile off his face.
I don’t realise I’m crying—sobbing actually—until my mother pulls me into her, and we cry together, standing here holding each other. Dad walks out after the verdict is read. He knows he won’t be able to control himself. I guess I get my temper from him.
I sense someone standing behind me.
“I’m sorry for your loss. I did love Abby very much.”
I whip my head around to face the scum of the earth.
Did he just say he loved her?
I look Jacob in the face. There’s no compassion in his eyes, I know he never cared for her. I don’t know what comes over me. I just see red. Straightening up, I turn my entire body toward him, and before he knows what’s happening, I clench my fist and let it fly right at his face, hitting him square in between the eyes and then smile at him.
Take that, you pathetic excuse of a man!
I look around to see the officers looking my way, but they don’t come toward me. It actually looks like they enjoyed the show.
“Oww, you bitch!” he yells while clutching his nose. I don’t think it’s broken, but it is pouring out blood. Man that makes me feel much better seeing him in pain. I nearly laugh in his face, but think better of it. It was a dumb thing to do, but I feel so much anger toward him, and he deserves every bit of pain that comes his way.
“Don’t you ever speak to us again, and you have no right talking about Abby at all. It’s your fault she’s gone!” I yell at him as my mother grabs my arm, pulling me out of the courtroom doors. “You may have got off today, but we know the truth!” I continue yelling at him.
“Stop, Melodi, you’re going to make things worse. Abby wouldn’t want you to be like this,” I hear Mum say as she finally gets me out the doors and into the parking lot before I can do more damage.
We walk to the car in silence. I notice Dad waiting for us near the car, pacing, anger written all over his face, his eyes glazed over with hate. I have never seen him looking so outraged in all my life. I look at Mum and see she’s fighting off tears. I wish there’s something I could do to take away their pain.
“I’m sorry, Mum. I know I shouldn’t have done that. Something in me snapped and it just happened.” I grab her, stopping her from walking any further. I pull her to me, wrapping my arms around her. We stand there for a short time, holding each other, giving the support we both need right now. Dad comes over, joining in on the hug, and supports Mum and me while we cry. He always tries to be the strong one.
Mum pulls me out at arm’s length, looking at me with a mischievous smile on her face. She has red eyes and blotchy cheeks, but there’s a little shining light in her eyes. Looking toward Dad, she says, “You would be super proud of the punch she just gave that lowlife, honey.” She gives a sad chuckle, which sets me off giggling.
Dad looks surprised and confused. Then he pulls me into a Dad bear hug with a laugh. It feels good to be smiling and laughing with Mum and Dad again. I know it will take a while to get over our loss, but we have each other.
“Wish I could have seen it,” he beams proudly.
We let go, walking to the car.
“I love you, Mum and Dad.”
“We love you