Page 79 of Love Rewritten

There’s some more legal talk that I don’t care to listen to. All I want to know is the ruling and his sentencing. Something’s got to give here. I cannot keep going through this for the rest of my life. I can’t keep fighting him. I can’t do it alone. And as much as Dallas tries, he can’t do it all either.

I hate asking for help, but I’ve found myself doing just that so much more than I ever imagined since meeting Dallas. That was never my intention. But I think things fall in your lap when you least expect them to. Sometimes they are good, like Dallas. Sometimes not, like Sam. But what I know for certain is I have myself to rely on. I’ve grown through this, as much as it may not feel like it right now. I need to remind myself how far I’ve come in the span of just a few months.

The judge clears his throat, pulling me from my thoughts. “Based on the evidence, testimonies, and guise of the counsel today, we will not need a recess. I have reached a final verdict.”

The hand I still have tangled in Dallas’s tightens, and I look back as his face falls flat, as does everyone else's. It’s so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The creak of someone’s chair cuts through the silence, and I pull my eyes back to the judge.

“Please rise.”

We all stand, but I refuse to remove my hand from Dallas’s. I focus my attention on the judge, holding my breath as if that will help me hear better.

“In the case of Cooper vs Johnson, I find the defendant guilty of one count of criminal domestic violence in the second degree.”

My heart beats fast, faster than it ever has, and I let my breath out as he says the words I’ve been dreaming of hearing for weeks. I want to cry and scream and jump and curl into a ball all at the same time, my body threatening to do all of that right now, but I force myself to stay still. I should be smiling, but my mouth is downturned and tears well in my eyes as everything starts to hit me. I only hope they sentence him to something he truly deserves.

“The charge carries a sentence of twenty months in prison with three years of probation after release. You will be eligible for early release after one year.”

All of the air leaves my lungs, and I feel every emotion all at once. Relief for some sort of a sentence, but it also doesn’t feel like nearly long enough after everything he’s put me through. And early eligibility? Seriously? What is the point of that? Good behavior? Who is he going to beat up in prison? Sam has the stupid ability to convince everyone he’s a perfect gentleman. They’ll cave at his feet in no time.

But I can’t focus on that. Not right now. Right now, he’s going to prison. Right now, he can’t hurt me. Right now, he’s getting exactly what he deserves.

Chapter 30

Dallas

Theamountofadrenalinerunning through my veins is surreal. Sam’s head hangs as he’s placed in cuffs, and I think this might be one of my favorite sights. He’s going away. Maybe not for as long as I’d hoped, but it’s something. And that’s better than a not-guilty verdict. To my surprise, Sam doesn’t say anything. He has to have known this would happen. Maybe he thought it would be worse and is afraid it’ll get worse for him if he opens his mouth. Good. Keep him scared. He deserves it.

Abby slowly sits back down in her chair, and I step over the partition to get to her, not wanting to let go of her hand. I kneel next to her and take her other hand, too. Her eyes are distant even though I’m right in front of her. My mom sits back down in her chair and faces Abby.

“This is good. We’ll petition for a new protective order and make sure it’s good for as long as possible. And if we need to renew it every year, we will. I’ll help you through it, okay?”

Abby nods but doesn’t look up. Tears stream down her face, but I can’t tell what emotions sit behind those eyes. She’s not sobbing or breathing heavily. She’s just crying a steady stream, staring at some dissociated spot in her head. As people slowly trickle out of the room, no one speaks until it’s only the three of us left in here.

“How are we doing?” my mom asks, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Abby’s head slowly shakes from side to side, and she shrugs at the same time. “I don’t know. I feel like …” but she trails off.

“It’s a lot, I know. I don’t expect you to know what to feel right now. Just know we got what we needed out of this. You did an amazing job. Truly.”

The corner of Abby’s mouth ticks up before it drops again, and she takes a deep breath. “Thank you,” she says, looking at my mom. “For everything.”

“Of course, dear.” My mom smiles and starts gathering her things. “I hate to force you out of here, but they’ve got more cases today, so we do need to leave.”

“Right. Sorry.” Abby gathers her bag and shoves the notebook back inside as she stands. We follow my mom down the middle of the gallery and back out the double doors. The hallway is full of people mingling and wandering back and forth between different rooms and the elevator.

Behind them all, huddled next to a bench, is our group of people. Logan, Rose, and Meredith stand talking quietly in their own small circle while, a few feet away, Cameron, Will, and Leslie stand next to each other, each group having their own mumbled discussion. When we approach, all conversation stops. Meredith immediately runs to Abby and hugs her. They stand there, braced together for at least a full minute before either of them pulls away.

Meredith smiles as she cups Abby’s face between her hands. “I’m proud of you. I hope you’re proud of yourself, too.” She gives her another short hug before releasing her.

Abby smiles back, though it doesn’t reach her eyes. “I am actually.”

I think it may take a bit for her to get back to her happy, sassy self that I’ve come to know and love, but this is good progress.

Everyone else offers hugs and some kind words before settling to the side. The only one who hasn’t moved from her spot is Abby’s mom. They make eye contact, and as much as it would have been a lovely sight to see the two of them run to each other for a hug, that’s not what happens.

Leslie stands and takes a step closer. She holds out a hand. Abby takes it a little hesitantly. They both stand there in silence for a moment, suspended in what almost seems like an unspoken conversation.

“I’m so sorry, honey,” Leslie finally says, taking one more step closer until they no longer have to reach to touch.

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