𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬. 𝟐𝟒

Soon.. it was time. Where I was officially in that court room. My hands felt very sweaty and my heart was beating quicker than usual. I saw my father.. Ward.. I saw Ward.. my face became weary, I wanted to cry but I tried my best to hold up my own the whole time. Time by time my family also went up to speak. It took some pain off of me and encouraged me to continue on.

This lasted for almost two full weeks.. not a process I was excited about but, I was grateful I didn't have to speak far too much the whole time.. I didn't have to show up for everyone.. I was just anticipating Ward finally going to jail away from the world, were  I'll be safe.

But... he only ended having to go to jail for 5 years. Because he also hurt Rafe physically too but way more. I don't know I just wish he got more but maybe it's reasonable.. but Rose has full custody of us now so.. honestly I'm fine with that. That's an even better outcome.. I'm glad she stuck with the kids and not some rich man who's deceiving. You don't get that much of luck in such situations.

In the end of all of this, I wondered how Wheezie felt. She's the youngest and the most spirited. I had a feeling she'd be heartbroken to lose her dad. But she wasn't, instead she just focused on who is in her life right now.

She took me away from everyone else and told me, "now I know who dad is.. but I wish you didn't have to be a victim for anyone to realize..".

Those words were touching.. it hit me hard. That people have to suffer for a message to be put out.. for change to happen.

This is why I have so much love and respect for Rafe. If I were in his situation, I would've gone insane.. maybe even assaulted my dad too..

Through the whole court process when I stood and spoke.. Ward didn't even look at me. I felt angry that he couldn't face me. I knew he was a coward.. he had all the power before and now he doesn't.. maybe if he never did have power.. he wouldn't be so cruel... I hope power and money doesn't eat any one of my siblings alive in the future or me.. I never want to be my father's daughter.. that's one curse I'd never want to die with.

Those hungry souls would feast after me in my death.. how could I ever want that? Who would?

***

It was now another two weeks after everything. The air felt more open suddenly. Me and my family spent a lot more time together. Dinner was loud and the weekends were fun. And we planned and planned on when to hit the Bahamas and what to do there. We hoped to all go together but Rafe was back at college and he didn't want to leave again just yet. He gave us a little blank book though. So that we can take pictures and put them in the book from the vacation. I find that very sweet.. I'll hug the book thinking it's him.

And.. I told John B about it and how he can go. I knew he wants to just cry and twist me around the room. We'd finally be in a paradise together. I told Rhyme about it and she was so happy for me. It makes me feel in awe and.. apparently JJ may have feelings for her despite the whole thing going on with Kie. I knew after Kie talked to me in the bathroom about it, that it wasn't the end. I'm not gonna butt in on that though. Although Kie has played with JJ's feelings from what I've been told, and I remember I overheard JJ venting about it to Rhyme.

Of course Kie is more different now. She's cool to be around. I have nothing against her. But I believe personally that JJ and Rhyme belong better together, and not by being biased... but I'm seriously not going to think about it so much. It's not my situation.

Sarah, she keeps talking about the things she'll do to Topper once we reach the Bahamas. It makes me cringe even though the two are simply just in love. And so are me and John B but.. I refuse to blab about it like we're an old fashion magazine story. Only because I feel that being private makes the moments more special. It makes the bond more connected. Two makes it even, not three. And I know sometimes I do over share. But Sarah does this almost all the time. I kinda want to laugh.