The lesson of history is that no one learns. – Steven Erikson, Deadhouse GatesThe courtroom had wood paneling all around the room except for the six-foot space behind the judge. The stone façade had the state seal in the center flanked by the American and state flags. The judge had a monitor on either side of his desk. His assistant sat on his right and the witness stand was on the left.A short wall with swinging gates separated the gallery from the working area of the court. The prosecutors’ table sat in front of the witness stand and the defendants table in front of the clerk. A bank of windows lined the far wall with the jury box in front of it. In place of the jury, prisoners sat in the box.Hank knew the room well. He had sat on the witness stand many times and spoke for the prosecution. He had helped put bad guys away. He had been Jolene’s hero in blue.Now he wore an orange jumpsuit and sat waiting for his name to be called like some common criminal. His mother and father wo
I sat with my anger long enough, until she told me her real name was Grief. – C. S. LewisIt was Friday, and Dean was still in JD’s bed, refusing to get up. Once a day, he made her get up and take a shower. So far all she had done was sit in the bottom of the large shower and cry. Each day during her shower, JD changed the sheets and got her fresh pajamas from her room.JD took the tray to the kitchen with the remnants of their breakfast on it. He looked at the princess in the kitchen. She was tall, probably close to six feet, so he knew she was a Reese. But he wasn’t sure which one. Or if she was a sister or niece. No wonder Reese simply called them all princesses.“Amelia.” She supplied at seeing his confused look. “Gina’s my mom. Does that help?”“Yes, but I’m going to go ahead and apologize, I will probably forget again.” He admitted.“Princess works.” She smiled. “I’m pretty sure that O has a spreadsheet to keep all of us straight. If he doesn’t, he probably should.”“I might do
Fear is just like fire; it can be helpful if you know how to use it. If not, you’ll get burned. – Mike TysonNeo had taken Jolene to her therapy session and doctor’s appointment. There were two reasons for this.He wanted to drive the Tesla.He needed to know if she was cleared to start training.He’d gotten the specific limitations and verified that she could do certain activities. She did not look thrilled when he had asked about jump ropes. On the way back to his compound, he stopped at the sports store. Two hours later, they left with a trunk full of bags and bags. Shelby was arranging for the other items to be picked up and delivered.Once back at the big house, Neo took her to the recently finished gym. Back in the heyday of the old mansion, this had been the ballroom. The hardwood floors have been carefully removed and are currently upstairs waiting to be installed in the new conference room. The floor had been replaced with two layers of gym padding. The back wall was floor to
Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to. – John Ed PearceBunny squeezed Ty’s hand as he reached out and knocked on his parents’ door. His sister had checked and then texted him letting him know that they were home. He reached back and Jaxon grabbed his other hand letting him know that he was not alone.It felt like hours but was probably only a minute or more before the door opened. James Johnson stood in the open doorway with his smile falling from his face.“If you’re still that way, you’re not welcome.”“We just came to tell you that you’re going to have a grandbaby.” Ty said.“Are you sure it’s yours? It could be his.” He sneered and lifted his chin towards Jaxon. “Or whoever else your slut wife has been with.”“As much as I would love to stand here and be insulted,” Bunny said shifting from one foot to the other and back again, “I really need to pee. Can I use the little girl’s room?”He begrudgingly moved out of the way and let them ent
A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. – Billy GrahamJD had come over and told Reese what had happened between himself and Dean. The younger man was hurt, but he also knew that it was the grief and not Dean that was acting out. It didn’t lessen the pain any.“Don’t.” Amelia said as Reese came through the backdoor of the big house.“She can’t-.”“You’ll only make it worse.” Amelia told him. She never even looked up from the magazine she was thumbing through. “She’s angry, if you go in there, she’ll be angry at you.”“I thought anger was later in the five, seven, forty-two steps of grief.” He replied walking into the kitchen and sitting down.Amelia finally looked up from her magazine, but only to grab a handful of popcorn from the bowl. “They go in whatever order they want to go in. Sometimes, people go through some of the stages of grief multiple times. There’s no right or wrong way to grieve.”“There is
When someone is going through a storm, your silent presence is more powerful than a million empty words. – Thelma DavisJD wasn’t sure where to go, but he knew he had to leave the house. He needed to get out and he needed to give Dean some space. He texted his coach and told her the basics of what was going on. She texted back with the code to the pool. And her regular sarcastic comment.Don’t drown yourself. You wouldn’t believe the paperwork involved in that.Smirking, he headed to the pool and let himself in. He changed into his practice suit and then dove into the pool. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been doing laps, but as he came up for air at the end of the pool, he saw coach Jenkins standing at the edge of the pool.“I haven’t drowned myself yet.” He said as he pulled his goggles and swim cap off.“Good.” She dropped a towel on the diving block. “I brought you some lunch.”“Thanks.” JD said pulling himself out of the pool.‘Don’t get too excited.” She warned as she walked over t
Crying is a way your eyes speak when your mouth can’t explain how broken your heart is. – UnknownDean stepped out of her room wearing a long-sleeved boat neck black dress that went to her knees. The bodice was fitted and flared slightly at the hips with a few discreet pleats. Instead of her high heels, she wore simple black kitten heels and matte black tights.The only jewelry that she wore was her golden crowned D and simple gold studs. She had braided her hair with a simple black band at the end. Light makeup covered up her blotchy skin from crying. Although Helen had gotten her waterproof mascara, Dean opted to just use the foundation and powder.She smiled at JD who stood in the hall waiting for her. He wore a black three-piece suit with a white shirt and dark gray tie. His short hair was styled with a little swoop on his left side. Monster sat next to him with a black leather and gold chain leash and collar.“I’m not ready.” Dean whispered as her lips trembled.He stepped closer
Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. – Lilo and StitchEarly Sunday morning, JD woke up to what seemed like a strange sound. Confused over the sound, he sat up and turned on the bedside lamp. Looking over, he saw Dean lying on her side with her hands over her mouth.Giggling.“Dean?”“I’m okay, I promise.” She said, smiling up at him. “O took my keys away, afraid that I might run away.”JD nodded in agreement. Reese had been scared that she would run away. Or lock herself in the garage with a running car. Looking at the smiling girl who had not smiled in days, and certainly had not laughed or giggled, he understood the fear.“Will you take me to the store?”“Now?” He glanced at the bedside clock that read three twenty. Twenty-one. “I guess.”Dean gave a small squeal before she kissed him and hopped out of bed. She dashed down the hall to her own room. Monster looked at the door and then at JD.“I don’t know, man.” JD admitted and got out of bed himsel