She Said to Wait, But Our Baby Couldn't novel · Chapter 22 of 24
Chapter 22: Sentencing
The sentencing was on Friday at ten.
The judge asked whether the victim wished to be heard.
I stood up in the second row with one sheet of paper.
I had written three drafts and burned the first two in Jenna's sink.
"Your Honor," I said. "I'm not going to describe the night. Everyone in this room has heard it."
The judge nodded.
"I'm going to tell you what I lost that wasn't my son."
My voice held.
"I lost the ability to believe a man who says he's trying to help. I lost the house I painted a nursery in. I lost three years of my life that I now have to read again, one memory at a time, to see where he was lying."
Dean sat at the table with his head down.
"He was not tricked," I said. "He was told the truth and he chose the other thing, every night, for two weeks. I ask the court to give him what the law allows."
I sat.
Jenna put her arm around me.
The prosecutor asked for six years.
Dean's lawyer asked for three.
The judge looked at Dean over her glasses.
"Mr. Ellison. Do you wish to say anything before I sentence you?"
Dean stood.
He turned around, away from the bench, and faced the second row.
"Willa."
"Mr. Ellison, address the court," the judge said.
"Please, Your Honor, one minute."
The judge looked at me.
I gave her a very small nod.
"I know I have no right," Dean said. "I know. But I'm going to be in a cell for a long time and I need to ask you once. Not so you'll take me back."
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