Blandview High Musical

47. New Beginnings

"I hereby sentence you, James Archer McIntyre, to two life sentences. You will not return to the Los Angeles Penitentiary, but instead you will be sent to the DC Imminent Correctional Facility the moment you leave here." He smashed the gavel against the wood grain a couple times and the bailiffs moved to take James from the stand. "You cannot! I'm—I can no longer see, you must accommodate for that!" He protested. "You will be accommodated for, Mr. McIntyre." The judge said. "I know you're out there, Tondre! When I get out of here, you're a dead man! You hear me?! A DEAD MAN!!" He screamed.

I was at home with Jade. She was upstairs asleep while I was downstairs on the couch, flipping through a magazine. The front lock on the door next to the living room jiggled before coming undone. Her father came inside. "Hi, Gill." He greeted, not even looking towards me. He took his jacket off and hung it up on the hook by the door. "How was everything, Mr. Tondre?" "Just a regular day at court." I stood up, pushing the magazine off on the coffee table. "They didn't let him go, right?" I asked, following her father into the kitchen. "Not with two life sentences. He's not going anywhere any time soon." I took a seat at the bar while he went through the fridge, looking for something. "Are you hungry?" He asked. "Uh...yeah, I am a little bit." "I can make us something to eat." He said, looking over his shoulder and grinning at me. My eyes flickered away from his, nervously.

Shayne was mad at me for skipping out on school to come over here. He hadn't sent me a text message since last night when I told him where I'd be today. Not everything was as bad as it seemed. I was here at the house for Jade, not for her father. And whatever he tried, if anything, I would be smart enough to say no. "How was she today?" Lawrence asked. "She was fine. Sleeping most of the day." I said. "And how about you? I know you missed out on school today and I'm sorry for that. I just didn't think I could UNconvince her of trying to go to the trial today." He said placing the food in the pan. It sizzled loudly. "I know what you mean; she's a little hard headed at times." I said, grinning. He chuckled. "I guess you can thank me for that. She's always been a regular hellcat." He said.

Soon, the meal was ready. Lawrence plated the food and pushed it towards me. "Can I ask you something?" I asked. He turned around, dragging his thumb over his lips and into his mouth. "Hmm?" "I know it's not really my place to ask...but did you feel remorse when you sent your wife to jail?" I asked. He was silent for a moment. He shut off the burner and plated the remaining food, turning around and placing the dish across from me. "My wife...was not a good person. Short answer? No, I don't feel any kind of remorse over what I did." He said, roughly. He dragged the fork through the egg, slicing into it. The yolk spilled out onto the plate. I just nodded my head. "I guess you feel the same way about your father, huh?" He asked. My eyes shifted away from his. "My father got what he deserved." I said, shortly. "It's nice to know we're both on the same page." He said, smiling and dipping the fork behind his teeth.

Once breakfast was finished, I helped him with the dishes. "The food was really good." I said, handing him the plate. "Did you like that? Eggs were always my go to comfort food with Jade. She likes hers with onions and cheese." He said, smiling. As I was handing him the plate, my fingers brushed against his. I gasped softly, wanting to draw my hand back, but afraid I'd drop the plate and it would break. "Are you okay?" He asked. I could feel my mouth going dry as my eyes shifted down to his lips. "Y-Yeah, I'm alright." I said, softly. Dads are off limits. Dads are off limits. Dads are— Within an instance of trying to keep myself composed over my best friend's father, I found myself interlocked in a soft kiss with the man. His wet hand graced against my cheek, tugging me closer. He pulled away. "I-I'm sorry—I shouldn't have done that." I whimpered. He gave a soft chuckle. "It's alright." He said. "I think I am just a responsible for this as you are." He said. "Jade and I just have a rule...it's umm...it's not important." I said, shaking my head. "Well, if it ever comes out, then you can tell her it was me who kissed you." He said, taking the dish from me.