Court
by Carlos E. Russo
It wasn’t my court date, but my sentence was confirmed once the judge pounded the gavel.
See, it was my father’s trial, and Judge Kenmare had just confirmed my worst fear: Dad was going to jail.
I felt the air rush out of my lungs as Dad dropped his head, Rosie sobbing next to me.
The world no longer felt tethered. He couldn't be guilty. And yet...he was guilty.
He was guilty.
I had never wanted to believe it. I kept making excuses and telling myself that the jury would validate him. They had to see he was innocent. How couldn't they? He's Dad. Always ready to stand up for us. Always protecting us and the family. Always ready to do what was necessary.
He was guilty.
Hearing the verdict made it impossible to keep believing he was innocent.
Now, his sentence was my sentence. For as long as he was away, I’d also be quietly suffering. No mother. No father. Alone in the world, with nobody to look after me.