“Hey,” I whisper.
Her cheeks redden with embarrassment. “Sorry, I—”
I wave off her apology. “How did her swimming lessons go?”
“Good. She’s doing really well.”
“Great. You’re free for the rest of the evening if you wanted to go out or whatever. And aside from being with her in the morning until she’s with Sofia, you’ll have Wednesday free as well.”
“Okay, thanks.” She glances down at Kaelyn and then back at me. “I don’t know how to get up without waking her.”
I laugh softly and come over to carefully pick Kaelyn up.
“Thanks. Um, do I have a curfew? I mean, is there a certain time tonight you would like for me to be back or…”
“Stay out as late as you want. All I ask is that you’re quiet and that you reset the alarm.”
She nods, smiles, and walks off to her room. I lay Kaelyn down on the couch once more and go to my room to change my clothes. My phone beeps with a text.
Scarlett: How was your day?
Me: Pretty great. Yours?
I go to the kitchen and begin gathering ingredients for dinner.
Scarlett: Good. I’ve been thinking about ideas for our next date.
Me: Oh yeah? Any good ones?
I’ve been craving squash and zucchini lately, so I’m fixing that to go along with some meatloaf. Luckily, Kaelyn loves squash and the “green squash,” as she calls it. My phone beeps, but my hands are in the bowl of hamburger. Once I mix it well, place it in the loaf pan, and wash my hands, I check my messages.
Scarlett: Of course! I always have good ideas, but I’m not saying until I’m sure which one is the best.
Me: Understandable.
“I’m heading out,” Angie says, dragging my attention away from my phone.
“Okay, have fun.”
I start slicing the veggies until my phone beeps with another text.
Scarlett: So, when’s your birthday?
Me: Jan 1st. You?
“Daddy! When did you get here? Where’s Angie?”
I turn around to see Kaelyn standing by the fridge. “Angie is out with her friends, and I got here when you were sleeping like Jasmine,” I intentionally mess it up.
She giggles. “Daddy, it’s Sleeping Beauty!”
“Oops.” I pick her up and set her on the counter, so I can continue slicing. “How was my girl’s day?”
“Can I have one?”
I pick up a few yellow and a few green ones and hand them to her. She munches on one and I have to repeat my question. She tells me in great detail about her day from breakfast to lunch to her swimming lessons to coloring and then how they were so exhausted they took a nap. By the time she’s done talking, dinner's almost ready. After fixing our plates, we take a seat at the table.
“How does a girls’ day with Sofia, Zoey, and Abigail sound?” I ask.
“YES! I wanna do that! Is my Happy coming, too?”
“No.” Kaelyn frowns. “It’s a girls’ day, so Blake isn’t allowed to come.”
“That’s not nice.”
“Maybe next time Blake can go, but not this time, okay?” Blake has ruined my kid. Who knew getting her to do things with women would be so hard? All she wants to do is hang out with Happy!
“Okay.”
We finish dinner and she runs off to watch TV while I clean up. I remember my texting, so I grab my phone to see Scarlett’s latest message.
Scarlett: New Year’s Day, really? That’s kind of cool. Mine is August 4th. When is Kaelyn’s?
Me: Sorry, got distracted by dinner and Kaelyn. Hers is coming up soon, actually. I’m sensing a princess party in my future.
Scarlett: Haha, you love it. Did you have themed parties growing up?
Me: Not really. Maybe when I was really young. I always wanted a birthday when it was warm, so I could have a pool party. Never happened. :(
“Come play with me!” Kaelyn shouts from the other room. As if an afterthought, she adds, “Please!”
“I’m coming.”
Things have been good lately, overall. Days like today seem to reiterate that. It was awesome at work, fantastic evening with my daughter, and even simple texts with Scarlett. Hopefully, my life can continue on the good track.
***
I LOOK AS if I’m going to a funeral. In some ways, I am. I wasn't going to go, but at the last moment, I changed my mind. I texted Trent last night, letting him know I was going to be at the sentencing. His reply back was okay. He said nothing more. I understood why he remained quiet. Today is going to be a hard day for him.
The reporters are still throwing questions at us about Junior Mints blog post, but not as many. The lawyer has been a big help and I’m glad I listened to Trent.
I step out of my car and head into the courthouse. Several reporters try to stop me, but I brush past them with a no comment. I find the courtroom and take a seat behind my brother’s attorney. I don’t want to sit by Trent, even though I want to sit by him. He needs all the support he can get. I’m at the end of the row, up front, closest to the aisle. The room begins to fill up, and I catch a glimpse of Trent taking a seat behind the District Attorney’s bench. I want to say something or maybe catch his glance to give him a smile.
The side door opens and Dominic is brought in. He looks...okay. His color is well. His hair looks freshly cut and he seems to have been working out. He sneers at me as he sits down.
“All rise.” The bailiff’s voice booms and everyone stands. The judge comes in and tells us all to sit.
“Mr. Mickerson. District Attorney Lange. We are here today to sentence Dominic Davis who was found guilty by a jury of his peers.”
Both lawyers stand and answer yes.
“Let’s begin with Mr. Davis’ family.” The judge shuffles a few papers on his bench.
“Scarlett,” Mr. Mickerson, Dom’s attorney, calls my name quietly and I lean over. “Are you going to speak?”
I shake my head.
“Told you the bitch wouldn’t help,” Dominic says loudly, and a couple people gasp.
The phrase the straw that broke the camel’s back makes complete sense to me now. I’m done. I did everything to help him, and this is how he repays me.
“Mr. Mickerson, I’ll speak,” I firmly say.
“Your Honor, Mr. Davis’ sister, Scarlett Knowles, would like to say a few words on his behalf.”
I stand and Trent’s face is a mix between fury and hurt. I shoot him a small smile, but he doesn’t return it.
“Ms. Knowles, you have the floor,” the judge says as I sit in the witness stand.
My heart is in my throat and my eyes are on Trent. He needs to hear this. He needs to know too. I look at Dominic and clear my throat. “I’m not here to speak on my brother’s behalf. Sure, I can tell you some stories about when he was five and was a good person, but he isn’t five anymore. He’s twenty-six, and as an adult, I believe in being responsible for your actions.
“At fourteen, he started doing drugs with our mother. It was their bonding or whatever you want to call it. Shortly after that, he was arrested for shoplifting with our mother. However, he was young and the judge gave him a second chance. His second chance lasted two months, and he went back in. And the cycle continued. When our mother died, I did the best I could. I borrowed against my house, my 401(k), and even took out two personal loans to put him in rehab six times. He would get out and he’d repay me. He repaid me by breaking into my house and robbing me of my TV, what little bit of jewelry I had, and stealing my car, which he crashed and I had to pay for that too. He would come to my previous job and throw these outrageous fits until I just threw cash at him to get him out.
“The night I got the call and saw the tape, I didn’t shed one tear for him. I cried for the Bakers. I cried for the heinous act Dominic did to that poor, innocent mother. I stayed up for months, unable to sleep because I couldn’t fix it. I tried to figure out a way to turn back time and give Dom more money, or
send him away, or anything else I could think of so he wouldn’t harm Mrs. Baker.
“So, I say, your Honor, give him the maximum sentence. He needs to be locked away because he’ll do it again. I know in my heart he will. He doesn’t have conscience or a soul to even understand what he’s done to not one but two families, and he deserves to wake up every single day for the rest of his life in prison.”
Dominic’s mouth is hanging open and his eyes are filled with tears. I’m not sure if he’s faking or not, but I don’t care anymore. An elephant of heartache, pain, and stress has been lifted off my chest. I wipe my tears. I didn’t even know I had been crying.
“I’m finished. Thank you, your Honor,” I cough.
“You may step down, Ms. Knowles.”
I nod and leave the witness stand. I think of just walking out, but Trent’s eyes are wide with shock. I take my seat and try to control my breathing.
“Mr. Mickerson, is there anyone else?” the judge asks.
The attorney stands. “No, there’s no one else.”
“Okay, I’m going to call for District Attorney Lange to present his list and then Mr. Davis may speak on his behalf. Mr. Lange.”
“Yes, your Honor. Mr. Trent Baker, the victim’s husband, would like to speak.”
“Mr. Baker,” the judge calls for Trent.
Trent stands and holds his head high as he walks to the witness stand. My throat feels as if it’s closing as he adjusts himself in his seat.
“Mr. Baker, you have the floor.”
“Thank you, your Honor.” Trent’s voice is clear and firm. He takes a deep breath and looks at Dominic. “I never thought, in all my wildest dreams, I would ever have to explain to my five-year-old that her mother had been murdered for forty-two dollars. Forty-two dollars is what she handed you. You shot my wife, the mother of my child, my best friend six times for forty-two dollars.
“Deborah was a saint. She was a volunteer to underprivileged children to help them read and learn math. She was the first to stand up and organize events for any team I played with. She wanted a houseful of kids, but put it off for me and my career. She never complained when our lives had to pick up and move off to a new city. She’d smile and say we’re off on another adventure.
“When our daughter was born, Deborah was the world’s greatest mother. My daughter wanted for nothing. They were each other’s best friend and loved each other more than anything. You took my world away and my daughter’s. You took the sunshine out of my life. I didn’t know how I was going to wake up or even know how to breathe anymore because Deborah was the reason for those things.
“I’ve never hated anyone in my life, but I hate you. I hate everything about you, and I don’t think your life is worth sitting in a cell for you to live on when my wife will not be at any of my daughter’s school functions, graduations, wedding, or the birth of her children.
“You had a sister who loved you, who helped you, and you threw it all away for forty-two dollars. You let the drugs rule you and now you’re a murderer. You took an innocent life and you’re going to hell for it. And that makes me happy.”
I look at Dominic and a single tear rolls down his cheek. My face is saturated with tears. Trent’s voice is calm and it’s scary to listen to, but he’s right about everything. The judge dismisses Trent and he goes back to his seat.
“Is there anyone else, Mr. Lange?”
“No, your Honor.” Mr. Lange stands to answer him.
“Okay, Mr. Davis.” Mr. Mickerson tugs on Dom’s arm for him to stand. “You may speak on your behalf.”
Dom glances at me and then flicks over to Trent before turning back to the judge. He shuffles from foot to foot. He’s nervous. Then he squares his shoulders and speaks boldly, “It wasn’t forty-two dollars. She gave me sixty-two dollars, but I grabbed something to eat; that’s why there was only forty-two dollars when I got pinched.”
I gasp at his words and turn to Trent, who looks like he could murder him right there on the spot. Hell, I could kill him right now, too. I thought we might have reached him, but he doesn’t care at all.
“Mr. Davis, according to the Tennessee State Law, having been found guilty of the murder of Deborah Baker, you are hereby sentenced to life in prison without parole or mercy.” The gavel slams down and I jump.
Dominic turns and the bailiff begins to lead him out of the room. Our eyes lock, and he isn’t my brother anymore. He’s a murderer who’s going to prison for the rest of his life.
I rush away from the courthouse without talking to Trent. I need a moment to myself and I’m glad I took the day off. When I walk into my house, I don’t stop until the wine bottle is open and a glass is poured.
Then I hear the knock, and I know it’s going to be him.
“Hi, Trent.”
“Hey.
“I can either ask how your day is or I can give you a beer? You pick.”
“I’ll take a beer.”
He follows me into the kitchen, and I grab a beer for him. We walk over to the table and sit. “Are you okay? I know it’s the world’s worst question, but are you?” I know it’s trite, but I have to ask him.
“Yeah, I guess so. I’m glad it’s over. Are you okay? After everything that happened?”
“Surprisingly, I feel good. I know I shouldn’t say that to you, but I do. He may not have listened to anything I said, but I needed to say it for myself. I just wish it was under different circumstances.”
“Me too. Glad you were able to do that for yourself.”
“I’m glad you did it too. I wish I could've supported you, but I wasn't sure if you would've wanted me to sit by you or not.”
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure where I wanted you to be either.”
“I understand. I told you our past would come back and haunt us. I guess today is that day, huh?” I think back to the last time he was in my house and our kiss.
“That was a nice I told you so. We all have our bad days and this was definitely one of them. I think I should get going. I want to see my daughter, but I wanted to check in on you.”
“Thank you for checking on me, Trent. You’re kind.” I pause to compose myself. “If you don’t ever speak to me again, I want you to know that I really like you. I think you are the world’s greatest father and Kaelyn is going to grow up and be just as amazing as Deborah. I have really enjoyed our time together.” The tears fill the corners of my eyes at the thought of never seeing him again.
“Thanks. You’ll do great with your new position, and I’m positive you’ll find lifetime kind of happiness.”
The first tear escapes. “I’ll know you will find the same. I’ll show you out.”
He doesn’t hug me or even look back as I watch him stroll to his car. The moment I can’t see his car anymore, I slam my door shut and fall to my knees, sobbing.
Trent is gone.
I’m about to leave the office when my cell phone begins to ring. I stop gathering paperwork and stare at the display in awe.
Trent.
“Hello.” I’m apprehensive as to why, after two weeks, he’s calling me.
“Hey, Scarlett. How are you?” He sounds frantic, but holds off on going any further into the conversation.
“I’m okay. Are you okay? You sound frazzled?”
“Not really. Is there any way you can do me a really huge favor? My grandmother is out of town and my nanny has gotten sick. I’m boarding my flight in a few minutes to come home, but I need someone with Kaelyn until I can get there. I’m hoping that someone can be you.”
“Um...sure.” Is he serious? I guess he’s very desperate if he’s calling me “I can do it. Where is she?”
“She’s at her dance lessons. I can text you the address of the place. I hate that it’s all last minute, but she needs to be picked up in twenty minutes. You’ll be a lifesaver if you can do this for me.” I can hear the relief in his voice. He was really worried I wouldn’t do it.
“It’s not a problem. Call the dance teacher
and let her know I’m coming. I doubt Kaelyn remembers me though, but I can take her to my place, or where do you want me to take her? It’s raining so I can’t take her to the park or anything.”
“It’ll be easier to entertain her at my house. I’ll text the address. Kaelyn knows where the spare key is hidden. And she remembers you because she brings you up whenever we read Sleeping Beauty at bedtime. Thank you so much, Scarlett. Really.”
“Text me everything and I’ll see you in a couple hours.”
As soon as I hang up, my phone alerts me of several texts. All from Trent with all the information I need. I’ve had so many kids in my car before, I shouldn’t be this concerned or anxious about picking up a little girl.
I head off to the dance school and am able to park close. When I walk in, Kaelyn’s eyes light up and she bolts toward me.
“Scarlett!” She leaps into my arms.
“Hi, honey.” My heart skips a beat at the sheer fact that she remembers me.
“Daddy is going to be late, and Miss Kathy says you’re taking me home.”
“I am. Your dad will be home soon, though, okay?” She nods. “Do you have everything?” Kaelyn smiles brightly and I mimic her. “Let’s head out then.”
After I make sure she’s secure in my backseat, she begins to tell me every single detail about dance class and her school. I shake my head at a few of her tales, and when we pull into the driveway, she is still talking.
“Okay, Kaelyn. Your dad says you have a house key.” Thankfully, Trent told me the code to turn off his alarm as well.
“Here.” She points to the zipper of her Hello Kitty backpack. I open it and pull out a silver key.
Once we are inside, Kaelyn goes to wash up and change her clothes. I don’t know what to do for food, but I’m hoping pizza is okay. I’m sure she’s hungry, and I could eat a whole pizza by myself right now.
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