“Damian, thank you,” I whisper earnestly. “You’ve worked so hard on this and I think it showed. You built an amazing case from what I could tell.” After Celeste was so strong on the stand, and Damian’s compelling closing argument, hope is bubbling in my chest that my sister might get the justice she deserves.
“It’s been my pleasure,” he says. Turning to Carlo, headds, “I’m glad you and your dad made me aware of this case.”
“I am too, thank you again. I can see why my dad speaks so highly of you,” Carlo tells him. Cece is watching all of this with a grateful look, but she doesn’t seem ready to speak yet. I squeeze her shoulder.
“Thank you,” he replies with a genuine smile. “Please give him my best the next time you see him.” Carlo nods, but we can’t say more because within 10 minutes the jury files back in. My lungs won’t work properly as the judge tells the lead juror to read out their verdict. I can see Celeste’s shoulders bunch with tension, her hand shaking on the table as she awaits her fate.
“We the jury find that the charge of aggravated assault brought against the defendant is excessive, and should be reduced to simple assault based on the evidence presented.”
“Thank you for your service, jurors. You are dismissed.” They file out again, done with their duty.
“I think this has been dragged out quite enough. I’m releasing the defendant from her current incarceration since she has already served over 4 months, and am sentencing her instead to a year of community service and a series of 10 court mandated anger management classes. Court is adjourned, thank you everyone.” With a smart rap of her gavel, the judge sweeps out back to her chambers and I have to contain my squeal as Celeste and I squeeze the hell out of each other. The prosecution team leaves quietly, not even deigning to look our way, although the lawyers share a brief handshake. I catch a snippet of Celeste’s attacker talking with his father about having to smooth over the possible perjury charge and I roll my eyes. I’m not going to let it affect me though. My sister got a more just outcome and is out of the correctional facility. Ikeep my arm around her the whole time, making sure she doesn’t somehow vanish on me. She will have to briefly vanish though, to go back and get her things. Then she’ll be officially released and we’ll take her home with us for now. Carlo is insistent she stay with us temporarily in the guest room until she gets on her feet.
When we get to the apartment, Carlo holds the door for Celeste to bring her things in and then me before he comes in behind us. The cats run in and start suspiciously sniffing my sister, since they only met her once or twice right after I brought them home.
“There you are, little hellions,” she coos at them, scratching between their ears and making them purr. We give her a tour of the apartment after giving Tish and Gomez their due attention and get her settled in her room.
“Well, compared to a prison cell with a cot, this is a damn palace,” she says with a dark chuckle. Her face goes earnest right away, though. “This is seriously the most wonderful place, you two. Thank you again,” she adds, eyeing the furniture and bed she’ll be sleeping in appreciatively. “I promise I’ll get out of your love nest as soon as possible.”
“Concentrate on getting on your feet, Cece. I know you’ll get things sorted soon,” I tell her.
“In the meantime, you’re always welcome here,” Carlo adds. She nods her thanks with a shine in her eyes.
5 daysafter the trial on Saturday, a bunch of us descend on El Abrevadero to celebrate not only Celeste’s release, but her finding a job as a waitress at a restaurant in the next town over where she’ll start next week. It’s beenslightly less challenging for her to get her life back on track since her charge was reduced, and she’s no longer a felon, which is something she is taking to heart. She’ll waitress for now, but from what she’s said she wants to help women who are convicted felons find their place back in the world once they’ve served their sentences. I can’t think of a better way for her to heal than helping other women like her, and it makes me tear up.
As always, the bar is hopping on a Saturday night, and we’re quite the little party of our own. Carlo, Celeste and I meet his sisters, Taran and Lyra, and Lyra’s best friend Gina with her husband Wayne. Wayne is already deep in conversation with Gage behind the bar, the brothers clearly talking business since their family owns the place. Gina is on the other side of the bar joking around with Lyra and Taran, who is stationed behind Lyra’s stool with his arms draped over her shoulders. Gina is also managing to ask her husband and brother-in-law questions. That could never be me, I can’t handle two conversations at once like that. Probably having two small kids has trained her to be able to keep her attention on multiple things at once. The Hernandez sisters are all on the other side of Lyra, talking in Spanish and grooving while holding their drinks. When they all see us, they cheer and get up to start a massive round of hugs.
Celeste damn near blushes at all of the attention but takes it in stride. Gage looks over from his conversation with Wayne to greet us newcomers, and the man stumbles a little when he sees Celeste. I’m not sure if she notices because she’s busy looking all around the bar. I don’t blame him because my sister looks spectacular tonight. 5 days of solid sleep, good meals, and lots of fresh air have done wonders to bring her color back and make her sparkle likeshe used to. Her red hair is in lustrous loose waves, and she’s wearing a green sundress that does wonders for her curves and complexion. It makes me so happy to see her doing this well after her ordeal. Gage recovers quickly and asks us what we’d like to drink. When he and Celeste lock eyes after I ask him for a margarita, her lips part and her eyes widen. They’re infinitesimal movements, but I’m watching her closely enough to notice.
“What’s your specialty?” she asks him, leaning in just a bit. He leans in too, a little smirk playing on his lips. I’m watching their back and forth like it’s a tennis match that is just beginning, with the two players feeling each other out.
“Everything I make is my specialty, but I recommend the lemon hibiscus margarita your sister got. It’s become a bestseller.”
“Sold,” she replies, her lips curving into a devilish smile, her stormy grey eyes sparkling. Gage’s own eyes go a little unfocused, dropping to her smile before going back up to meet hers. This entire interaction is killing me, I’m ready to drop to the floor and start kicking my feet. The idea of Gage and my sister hitting it off and becoming a couple would make my entire life complete. They’d be so great for each other.
“Sure thing,” he mutters like he’s out of breath before moving off to make our margaritas. Carlo laughs on my other side, no doubt noticing their moment like I did.
“It’s like I’m not even here once he saw you, Celeste. No drink for me,” he pouts.
“I think you broke his brain,” I add. She scoffs.
“He’s just a flirt, and no way is anything happening romantically with me for a long time. I need to focus on me. Not going to lie though, he is gorgeous,” she muses.
“Obviously focus on yourself until you’re ready, butmaybe someday…” I trail off hopefully. “Gage is a great guy. Don’t close the door on him completely, ok? We head here to hang out pretty regularly, come with us and get to know him.”
“Maybe. Let’s just celebrate us all being together tonight, yeah? I’ll never be able to thank you both or Damian enough,” she says, in a voice that lets me know the conversation is over.
“You deserve everything, Cece. You got up there and faced your assaulter, told your story, and convinced the jury you were wronged. Here’s to you enjoying tonight and the rest of your life,” I say quietly. After we all finish our drinks, we migrate to the dance floor. Celeste grooves with Rosa and Anita, the three of them instantly becoming friends. Dani and Luce, Taran and Lyra, and Carlo and I all dance close, thoroughly enjoying the pulsing Cumbia music. I catch Celeste stealing glances at Gage, and vice versa, and I have a feeling if he wasn’t working the bar he’d be asking her to dance. Damn do I wish he could take her for a spin around the floor. All I can do is cross my fingers that Celeste will give him a chance when she’s ready and settled in her new life. Once we’ve properly danced our asses off, we’re ready for more refreshments, and make our way back to the bar. Gage gives Celeste a wink as he gives her another margarita.
She stares after him, and I sigh happily, looping my arm though hers and resting my head on her shoulder. She leans hers on top of mine, and all feels right with the world with so many people I’ve come to love in one place, including the man of my dreams on my other side. Carlo’s warmth seeps through me, into both my body and soul as he bumps my shoulder and slides his arm around my waist. He leans in to whisper in my ear.
“Love you, mi sueño,” he rasps. I melt into him.
“Love you too, baby. I’m so happy,” I whisper back.
It’s the most pure love and happiness that I never thought I’d have after so much loss, and I’ll never take it for granted.
Epilogue - Carlo