Chapter 16

I sigh with relief along with everyone else in my row. Judge Wilson, looks at Pa as she says, "It is the judgment of this court that you will serve a sentence of life in prison on the charge of first degree murder and forty consecutive years for each count of abuse. Without a chance of parole; that is the judgement of this court," she bangs her gavel.

Pa starts screaming and swearing as he's taken from the courtroom. We all stand and I throw myself at Frankie and Will and hug them hard, excited that mom finally got justice and we'll never have to worry about him ever again.

I break away from them and we thank the lawyer for all of his hard work and he leaves with a smile. Shel, Connie and Dom hug the three of us exactly and then I turn to Jason and he gives me a long kiss and he hugs me, swinging me slightly.

I'm just thankful the trial only lasted one day; we were out of the courthouse by four this afternoon. Instead of heading to the cemetery tomorrow after work, Frankie, Wil