AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out my locket—fixed and good as new. A couple of hours after I sent Carter away, I went outside and searched for it, but thought it was lost forever.
"But you hate Davi," I breathe.
He moves my hair and clips it behind my neck. "But you don't, and that's okay."
AFTER SITTING THROUGH MOREof the same bullshit, having to listen to what a stand-up guy my father claims he is, it's finally time to make my statement. My eyes lock with Carter’s and he nods once.
"You've got this," he whispers.
I stand and make my way to the front of the room, careful not to make eye contact with my father or anyone else who can throw me off my game. This is important, and I just need to stay focused.
"Hello, and thank you for hearing what I have to say today," I say. "Over the past hour, I've listened to all the reasons why this man deserves his life back. I'm sorry for my language, but that's a load of shit.
"I was five the first time he touched me in an obvious way that made me feel uncomfortable. It wasn't until long after he was locked up that I realized it started even before that, but we'll start there. He acted like it was just completely normal, and I think that was the sickest part about it. Because to him, it was.
"When I was seven, he taught me how to give him a blowjob. All I remember were tears pouring down my face as I begged him not to make me do it. But he didn't care. I was not his daughter. I was his toy.
"I was nine years old the first time he raped me, and I wish I could say that was the only time, but it wasn't. Far from it, actually. For almost an entire year, I bore abuse that no child should ever experience, much less at the hands of someone whose number one priority should've been to protect me."
I pause to take a breath and dial back my emotions. The last thing I want is for that man to see my tears and think that he still has any power over me.
"There are cases where kids are taken. They're raped and abused just like I was. If they're lucky enough, sometimes they make it out alive. Those offenders get sentenced to life in prison. My rapist only got twenty-five years. The only difference between those other children and me is that the person who stole their laughter wasn't the one who gave them life."
A couple of the women sitting up there look emotional. It must not be easy to have to hear the events of something so sickening. But they need to know all the facts to make an informed decision.
"If you choose to grant this man parole, after serving not even half of the sentence he was given, you're telling him that it's okay. You're saying that the fact that he still denies that he ever did anything wrong is acceptable. But it's not. He took something from me that I can never get back, and ten years doesn’t begin to account for it.
"I ask on behalf of every child that's ever experienced the trauma that I have, and on behalf of every child that needs protecting from monsters like him, that you keep him in prison. Thank you."
As I turn around, I can feel the glare my father is sending my way, but I refuse to look at him. I sit down with Carter, who wraps his arm around me and pulls me close.
"You did great, Benz," he whispers. "I'm so proud of you."
The board waits for another person to stand to speak, but when I hear a small commotion, my gaze moves to where my mom and brother are sitting. She's whispering for him to go, but instead he shakes his head.
"I believe we were supposed to have one more statement," a woman on the board says, looking around.
My brother stands up. "I've decided I no longer wish to speak."
Glancing my way, he gives me a sad smile and sits back down, much to my mother's dismay.
"Well then, with no more statements to be made, it's time for our decision," the main speaker of the board announces. "First we'd like to thank Miss Morgan for her bravery in speaking. Reliving such trauma is never an easy feat and we commend her for that."
He looks down at his paper and then focuses back on my father. "Mr. Morgan, while we see that your behavior while incarcerated has been ideal, you have yet to acknowledge your crime, nor have you made any efforts to make amends. Because of this, we are denying your request for parole."
Relief floods through me as my mother breaks out into a hysterical fit of tears. Oh, her pedophile of a husband has to stay in prison. How sad. If I had it my way, she would be locked up, too. Turning a blind eye to something so horrific is almost as bad as doing the crime yourself.
As they lead my father out of the room and everyone stands, I share a look with my brother and mouth a silent thank you. Because for once in my life, a member of my family did something to defend me. He nods once as he pretends to comfort our mother while Carter and I leave the room.
The second we get out the door, I feel a billion times lighter. Not only is that prick not getting out of prison, but I managed to face him. I took back the power he stole from me all those years ago.
Carter turns to face me and smiles in the way that's reserved only for me. "So, how does it feel knowing you took on the world and won?"
I chuckle. "Let me show you."
Grabbing his face, I pull him down into me and press my lips to his. He wraps his arms around me and holds me close as we kiss. It feels long overdue, and I knew I missed it but I never realized how much until now. I don't know how I even made it a single day. It's fucking intoxicating.
As we break the kiss and he pulls away, he looks like he's never been happier. "So, where to? The airport?"
I shake my head. "Do you mind if we leave tomorrow? There are a couple places I need to go."
"Anything you need, babe," he replies, draping his arm around me. "Just as long as you're on that flight back with me."
"I will be. I promise."
