When Summer Ends

A Final Verdict

3-8-22

After passing along the evidence, Melody sent her assistant to go get lunch for us. Rylie, my mom, William, Melody and I are talking when her assistant, Kenneth enters the room with armfuls of food. My stomach suddenly growls loudly, and a refreshing laugh follows. Soon, everyone else joins in.

"Damn, it feels good to laugh!" My mother says and my eyes widen.

"Mom!" I gasp, but it only makes us laugh harder. Once we finally calm down, we dig into the burgers and fries. It's after 2:00pm, and I hadn't had anything to eat since 6:00am. I think it was safe to assume that the others hadn't eaten in a while either based on the fact that nothing is left by the time we finish.

"Do you think the recess will be done soon?" I ask William and Melody.

"Honestly, I'm not sure. If I had to guess, we'll be called back in shortly, provide the evidence, and then be adjourned until tomorrow."

"What about the witnesses?" I question.

"After the confession, I'm not sure they'll be needed. But they might still have them testify, just to be safe. Although they really don't need it, in my opinion." William replies. At this point, we'd all listened to the recording more than a few times.

After another hour of waiting, we're finally called back into the courtroom. I feel slightly better this time, but it still makes me feel slightly nauseous. We stand as the judge enters, and he's the first to speak once we've all taken our seats.

"It has come to my attention that more evidence has been provided, and I will allow it to be shared. Mr. Kent, go ahead."

William stands and moves to the witness stand where a computer now sits, and he presses a button. A crackling sound fills the room, and then Gabe's voice spills from the speakers.

"I had to see you, Aspen. I had to talk to you."

I feel eyes on me as the recording plays, and turn to find Gabe's gaze locked on mine. I'd thought he'd been his maddest in Wrightsville, but I had been wrong. His entire face is distorted with a burning look of loathing and hatred and I knew if he had the chance, Gabe would've killed me right then and there.

I tear my gaze away from his, refusing to let him try to affect me with his emotions any longer. When the recording finishes, a heavy silence fills the room. After a moment of talking quietly amongst themselves, the jury passes a note to the judge.

He reads it before addressing the room. "This meeting is now adjourned and will commence again tomorrow at 8:00am. Dismissed."

William was right.

With that, activity fills the room as people gather their things and prepare to leave. Without another glance in Gabe's direction, I follow my people from the room. We plan to meet back here tomorrow at 7:30 before parting ways, and my mother, Rylie and I climb into my car to head back to our place.

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I had convinced my mother to stay with us tonight since she had a two hour drive to get home, and it didn't make sense for her to drive there and back when the drive from our place to the courthouse was only 45 minutes.

We stop for dinner on the way and it's a little bit after 6:00pm by the time we get home. After the long day, we decide to head straight to bed. I help my mother get settled into Cassie's room which was the temporary guest room before hugging her goodnight.

I pour food and water for Harvey before joining Rylie in our bedroom and quickly getting ready for bed.

"How do you feel?" She asks me quietly. I knew the question was coming, but I was suddenly nervous.