Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
I let out a heavy sigh of frustration. This fucking sucks. I’m shaking and barely able to hold it together. I’m thankful to have Hollis by my side. Cal and Terrence are sitting on the other side of Roux, both just as upset as we are. Our friend is up there, in front of everyone, facing a horrible future. The lawyer warned us that if the judge is harsh, he could be spending life without parole. He thinks, though, with the holes in the case and Jordy’s age, the judge might be more lenient. Only time will tell.
The sentencing trial goes quickly.
I’m numb through it all.
Until it’s time for sentencing. The judge shakes his head in exasperation before speaking.
“I may be old, son, but I’m not dumb. And neither is anyone in this courtroom,” the judge says, frowning at Jordy. “This wasn’t premeditated. There’s no proof of gang affiliation. We have several testimonies from law enforcement officers who arrived on the scene. You were protecting your friends.” The judge pinches the bridge of his nose before sighing. “But I can’t force you to tell the truth. You’ve plead guilty and that’s out of my control.”
The courtroom is nearly silent as we all wait with bated breath for the sentencing.
“What is under my control is your sentencing. My hands are tied where Oregon law is concerned, meaning you have to serve time. How much, though, is up to me. Considering your no priors and age, I don’t think it’s necessary for you to spend your life in jail. You’re still young, therefore you’re still thinking like a boy. I’m hoping you’ll begin thinking like a man soon. The minimum sentence I can give you, son, is ten years at Oregon State Penitentiary with eligibility for parole after four.”
The same goddamn prison my father’s at.
Ten years.
And that’s the best we could hope for.
“I suggest,” the judge says in a firm tone, “that you get really familiar with the appeal laws of our state. I suggest you sit and think about how this impacts your life. Maybe one day we can revisit this case.” The judge shakes his head again. “Try not to lose yourself in there, kid. You’ll get out before you know it and still have a chance to do right by yourself.”
As he mumbles on more of the court sentencing jargon, I shut down. I’m dying inside because I feel like this is all my fault. I don’t know how to fix it. I don’t know how to free my friend.
A loud whistle catches my attention over all the murmurs of voices.
Jordy.
Dark, penetrating eyes on me.
“Take care of Little Hoodlum.” He mouths the words, but I hear them clear as day.
I nod sharply, which earns me a rare smile.
And then they take my best friend away.
“I don’t want to go,” Roux whines. “Not today. Not after seeing them take Jordy away.”
I stroke Roux’s hair and let out a heavy sigh. “I know. But Mom will be here any minute to get you. We have to play this right. You have your phone, right?”
Roux nods.
“Good. Call me or text me if anything is weird. Captain Fitzgerald said he’d be the first to check on you if you needed anything. We’ll do this the right way this time.”
“I miss you, though. She stole all my birthday money, you know.” She huffs. “For bills she said, but I don’t believe it. I hate living with her.”
Who the fuck takes their kid’s birthday money?
“I know you do. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry,” Hollis says, patting her foot. “Tomorrow is another school day. Roan and I will pick you up first thing in the morning. Charlotte will talk your ear off and all will be right in the world.”
She laughs. “She does talk a lot in the mornings.”
“More than you,” I tease. “Seriously, though, everything is going to be okay.”
Bang. Bang. Bang.
We all three groan in unison. Mom allowed Roux to attend the hearing, but only because she was at work. Now she’ll take my sister back home. This fucking sucks.
I rise and stalk over to the front door. I swing it open and glare at my piece of shit mother. She reeks of cigarette smoke and her eyeliner is smeared. Her hand trembles when she waves for Roux to come with her.
“Are you high?” I demand. She hates when I ask her this.
“No, asshole, I’m tired as fuck. Been stripping to keep the electricity on because your stupid best friend killed my boyfriend. Now I have to pay for everything by myself.”
Testy.
“Aww,” I sneer. “Poor Mom. Actually having to be a fucking parent for once.”
“Get your shit,” Mom bellows to Roux. “I don’t have time for this. I’m ready to go to bed.”
It’s three in the afternoon.
“I’m coming,” Roux grumbles.
“See you tomorrow,” Hollis tells her.
Roux hugs me and I kiss the top of her head. “Take care. Call me later.”