Page 77 of Embers in the Dark

The sound is choppy and, at first, I was worried his lawyers were going to argue it could’ve been anyone yelling at me. The video shows the assailant hitting me and the image of me getting knocked out. Had Myles decided to walk in the other direction, the evidence wouldn’t have been as solid. But as luck would have it, Myles parked his car in the direction where he had to walk directly past the camera. His outfit matches that of the person attacking me and the evidence was damning for him.

He plead guilty. To add to this, Fiona jumped on the fact that Myles followed me into the bathroom right before the pre-trial conference, since there are cameras all over the courthouse. The judge would’ve probably been more lenient on hissentence, but she decided to hold firm on her decision. His attorneys, along with his mother chiming in, didn’t want this to go on further to a long trial. So, he took the deal, and he’s now going to be behind bars.

He will also be required to seek counseling and I do hope he can recognize his behavior is not something he can continue. Either way, I stood up for myself and hopefully put a stop to him hurting someone else in the future.

“Thanks, everyone, for being here. It’s been a long day, but I’m really glad he’s being punished for what he did,” I say.

“We just wanted to see you and tell you how proud we are of you,” my oldest sister, Ariana, tells me.

“Listen, I wasn’t going to stay long, I have some plans, but wanted to say I’m glad that bastard is where he should be,” my brother announces.

Before anyone can protest, he’s already saying his goodbyes. He’s out the door without much more than a simple nod my way. I guess he’s going to hold a grudge, and I honestly don’t feel like figuring all that out right now. He needs to work his shit out. I’m not going to let that bring me down today.

My dad shakes his head and I can see the disappointment across his face. I give him a smile and a simple shake of the head to let him know it’s not worth it right now.

“Should we order a pizza or something?” I ask the rest of our family.

“Actually, we aren’t here to take up much of your time. We just wanted to swing by and give our congratulations,” my mom says. “Your dad, Carolyn, and I have a night out to the movies planned!” She claps her hands.

“Yes, I’m dreaming of a big tub of popcorn.” Carolyn looks excited.

Tucker smiles at his mom. “That sounds fun. Anything good out right now?”

“Dirty Dancing,” my dad groans.

“Isn’t that old?” I ask, confused.

“My point exactly!” My dad throws his arms out. “Thank you, Baylee! She gets it!”

Both Carolyn and my mom look at me like I’m a traitor.

My mom chimes in, “Baylee, for your information,Dirty Dancingis a classic and they’re doing a special tonight where they’re releasing it in theaters for forty-eight hours. So, Carolyn and I are going to see it. Your dad heard about it and wanted to join. So don’t act like you didn’t want to go, Thomas!” She points at my dad.

“You know Mr. Rios has a bad case of FOMO,” Tucker whispers.

“Excuse me, I do not have whatever you just said. I’m healthy. I just had a physical,” my dad retorts.

“FOMO is ‘Fear of Missing Out,’ Dad.” I roll my eyes.

“Oh, yes, I do have that. But I just want the candy. I love Hot Tamales,” he states matter-of-factly.

“You can’t have those. The doctor just said your blood sugar was a little high,” my mom throws to him.

“Then why am I going?” he pokes back.

“Oh my gosh, this is exhausting,” Hannah, the third Rios sister says, pulling at Ariana’s arm. “Drive me home. My own children don’t bicker this much.”

“I think it’s comical.” Sierra, my middle sister, snickers, as if this is the most entertaining thing.

“Alright. We’re off,” Ariana says as the three of them start hugging me goodbye. “Mom, Dad, see you later. Have fun and good luck, Carolyn. Tucker, it’s good to see you and love seeing you with my sister.” Ariana waggles her eyebrows at me.Gross. In front of our dad, nonetheless.

Tucker laughs and my cheeks flame. Awesome, this is how gatherings will be from now on.

Carolyn looks down at her watch and claps her hands. “Okay, we have to go. I need to prep with my pre-movie snacks. Let’s go!”

“Thomas, no whining or you’re getting a ride home from our girls and not hanging out with us. We’re going to this movie with or without you,” my mom declares.

“Fine, I’ll go,” he says as they begin to say their goodbyes and head out the door.

---