AllFreeNovel
Share Us
26
Because Dottie and I thought the district attorney in Texas was going to make an announcement regarding my father’s innocence and imminent release from prison, I begged Uncle Sal to talk to Aunt Ruthie about my father. I didn’t want her finding out about everything through the news or someone else. In my mind, I imagined my father’s story going viral and everyone talking about it.
Troy, however, cautioned me to be patient and not expect too much. “Reversing a wrongful conviction is like moving a barge across a desert. It’s going to take some time. The announcement scheduled for today might not have anything to do with your father.”
As it turned out, Troy was right. While my father’s lawyer had submitted everything, that afternoon’s press conference didn’t even mention Eddie’s name.
Disappointed beyond belief, I called Dottie from my car outside my favorite coffee shop.
“I know it’s frustrating,” she said, “but this is the legal system. We’re so close. We just need to hang in there a little longer.”
I gave a sarcastic laugh. “I can’t believe you’re the one comforting me. It’s my father, not me, who’s paying the price for this horrible mistake.”
“We’re all paying the price. Wrongful conviction affects everyone. How is your aunt doing? You said your uncle is planning on talking to her today?”
“He’s going to tell her tonight after she finishes work.”
“Your poor aunt. I never knew she’d been violated like that. And now to learn the wrong person was convicted. This won’t be easy for her.”
“No, it won’t.”
Dottie hesitated. “I don’t mean to sound insensitive, but after she’s had some time to absorb the news, I’m hoping you’ll be able to convince her that helping us get your father out of jail is the right thing to do.”
“Helping us? What do you mean?”
“Well, I was talking to your father’s lawyer, and she said that the judge is probably going to need some kind of written statement from Ruth Anne about the rape.”
“What? Why?”
Dottie must’ve sensed my panic because she spoke gently. “Your aunt is the only one who can link Wayne to the case. Her testimony, along with Lia’s DNA report, will help speed things along.”
For a moment, I worried that my father would never be exonerated. I couldn’t imagine Aunt Ruthie willingly doing anything to get him out of jail, especially if it involved making the rape public knowledge. Then again, Aunt Ruthie was a good person. I knew she’d do the right thing in the end.
“Look,” Dottie continued, “we just want her to make things right for Eddie. Neither he nor I blame her for testifying against him.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because we’re familiar with enough of these cases to understand how easy it is to get it wrong. Your aunt was a victim just like your father.”
I pushed out a grunt of disbelief. “Aunt Ruthie wouldn’t appreciate you using the word victim to describe her. She prides herself on being a strong person, able to overcome even the worst obstacle.”
“That’s understandable given all she endured. Your father has the same attitude. He’s one of those people who believes things work out the way they’re supposed to.”
“Really? Even after going to jail for a crime he didn’t commit?”
Dottie laughed. “I know. It’s crazy. I’m not saying he’d purposely choose jail, he just found a way to make peace with what happened to him.”
I shook my head. “I couldn’t even imagine making peace with something like that.”
“No, but you would.”
“You think so?”
“Of course,” Dottie said. “You are, after all, your father’s daughter.”
I smiled, thinking I liked the way that sounded. Maybe remembering Dottie’s words would help me apologize to my father. Shortly before I turned eighteen, he had asked me to come see him.
Not only had I refused but I’d written him a letter cutting off all ties. In blunt language, I demanded that he never contact me again. I also told him that as soon as I turned eighteen, I was changing my last name to Hermosa to honor my aunt and uncle who raised me.
