“Done being your daughter.” I turn and stalkto the door, grabbing the doorknob. “Goodbye daddy,” I declarewithout so much as a second look.
I tear past Miles and back down the marblehallway of the courthouse, balling the whole time. I walk into thecourtroom and find Emily and my uncle sitting in the gallery. Theyboth rise when they see me; Emily nearly tackling me with a hug. Isob into her shoulder as she holds me tight, my uncle rubbing myback. When I finally lift my head and look at them, I’m distraught.“I think I’m going to need a place to live,” I snivel.
They both nod feverishly, and Emily pulls meback into her arms. Suddenly we hear the shuffling of feet and theclosing of a door. I look up to see Ryan being escorted into thecourtroom with a bailiff holding his arm. He halts when he sees me,a myriad of emotions darkening his beautiful young face.
I’m sorry,I mouth. The tears startingagain.
A moment later Miles announces my father. Isit down despondently next to Emily. She holds my hand as I juststare at the two most important men in my life; the one who neverloved me and the one who always will.
“Have faith, Alana,” Emily encourages.
“Faith, Em? My whole world is about to comecrashing down around me. I don’t think faith can help me now.”
We all stare at my father as he commands thebench; stately in his black robe and serious expression. Milesreads over the proceedings, recapping for everyone why Ryan ishere. Once that’s finished, it’s time for sentencing.
My father looks around the room impassivelybefore he speaks. Then he addresses Ryan.
“Mr. Pierce, it’s disappointing to find youhere again, although not surprising. You are unfortunately theproduct of your environment and it saddens me that you were notable to rise above it. But I understand the difficulties, I see itin this courtroom every day. Waste that will recycle through thecorrectional system until it finally just dissipates.”
I squeeze Emily’s hand tightly as I listen tomy father’s unconscionable testament; what is he trying to do,twist the knife?
“I believe you deserve the maximum sentence,Mr. Pierce. This is your second offense and I see a patternbeginning.”
My heart is rupturing beneath my chest; I’mnot sure I can handle this.
“With that being said,” my father declaresdissatisfied, “some recent developments have come to light.”Looking straight at me, he says, “I understand you are in arelationship with my daughter.”
My body stiffens as Ryan glances back at medumbfounded.
“Don’t look at her son, I’m the one talkingto you,” my father asserts. “Do you admit to being romanticallyinvolved with my daughter?”
“Um, yes sir,” Ryan says confidently,stunned, but confidently.
“Is it still going on?”
“Yes.”
“Well then,” my father stares coolly at Ryan,“because of that small, but vital piece of information, we have aproblem. I’m a by-the-book kind of man Mr. Pierce, and when I sayby-the-book, I mean, I want to throw it at you. If I had known youhad any affiliation with my daughter, this case would have nevereven skimmed across my docket. And because of that fact, and theconflict of interest it poses, I have no choice but to declare amistrial.”
A mistrial?
“Ryan Pierce, you are hereby acquitted of thecharges brought forth against you by the state of New Jersey, andfree to go. Court adjourned.” My father bangs the gavel, and myheart suddenly jump-starts back to life.
I don’t know who to look at first, so I do aquick glance around the room and every facial expression is thesame; one of sheer shock.
I don’t remember standing, or walking or evenbreathing for that matter, but I suddenly find myself in Ryan’sarms. He’s hugging me tightly, murmuring how much he loves me in myear and it starts all over again, like I’m being sprayed with agoddamn super-soaker, the tears just won’t stop.
“Mr. Pierce,” my father announcesauthoritatively, “I’d like to see you in my chambers.”
No ifs, ands or buts about it.
Ryan runs his thumbs across my cheeks, “Idon’t think I’ve ever seen you cry.”
“You haven’t. No one has.” I sniff.
“Don’t stop.”
“What, crying? Why?” I wipe my face with theback of my hand.