After Before and After

Phase 4: Chapter 128

It should've been good news, but not even getting an extra McNuggett in one's ten piece package felt like good news lately. Jack Merridew wasn't sure how he was supposed to feel about the sentencing hearing being successfully expedited. It was to take place at 9:00 AM on the morning of Wednesday, December 22nd 1993. Three days before Christmas.

Jack didn't feel like celebrating either occasion.

After the night the verdict was read, the Merridew siblings and the Langley family all returned to their government hotel rooms. Ralph and Jack spent the night in the bunk bed in the Langleys room, while Paige spent most of it up finalizing her plans for the rest of the year.

Evan vacated his government hotel room that same night of the verdict. He had people to meet with and calls to make in order to ensure that Jack's name was redacted from the news reports. Guilty verdicts meant that the names Jack Merridew and Roger Conroy would be public record after the sentencing hearing, and Evan was willing to sell his own dried up soul to keep that from happening. He also had no interest in sticking around for the sentencing process. He built up so much resentment towards both his kids in the last six months that he could barely stand to be in the same room with either one of them.

Evan packed the truck with all his things very late that night. Paige helped him carry his bags down from the third floor to the lobby, and helped load everything into the truck. Evan closed the back door and looked his disgraced daughter in the eye.

"When are you planning on grabbing what you need from the house?" he asked flatly.

"After the sentencing hearing, whenever that is. I can't confirm when until there's a plan for Jack" she answered, her voice steady and neutral.

"I thought you were making the plan."

"I mean the state of Georgia's plan. If they sentence him to do time or even spend some in a hospital for psychiatric treatment, that changes things for us. If they don't---"

"If they don't then I'll see you in family court" Evan interrupted her to confirm.

"Yeah, you will. You'll sign the papers?" she assumed.

"My lawyer will fax them to yours, assuming you won't have your own fax or number after I take the Motorolla when you go" Evan replied.

"I do actually, but I'd prefer not to give that to you. Our lawyer will be in touch with the details. And I'll let you know when sentencing is, and then when I'll be by the house" Paige confidently answered.

"Okay then" Evan sighed heavily. "That's it then."

"That's it" Paige agreed.

Evan nodded once, a forced single nod. Without another word, he climbed into the truck and pealed slowly out of the parking lot of the hotel.

Paige turned to make her way back inside, but stopped when she saw Jack standing there, leaning against the post just in front of the hotel doors. She walked through the parking lot to reach him, and smiled when she did. She pushed some of his long hair behind his ears affectionately.

"He's not coming to the hearing, is he?" he guessed.

"No, he's not" Paige dropped her hand as she said. "What's your plan for tonight? Is Ralph staying in our room or are you going to his?"

"We haven't thought that far ahead" Jack admitted.

"Could you stay over there then? I have a lot of shit to do and don't want the light to keep you guys up" Paige warmly requested.

"Sure, fine" Jack agreed lamely.

"Alright, let's get inside then" she patted his shoulder as she passed by him, leading the way.