Reality (Sequel to Future)

Chapter Thirty-Three

I sat on the edge of the bathtub strapping on my shoes as Chresanto stood in the mirror putting on his suit. Today was his court date and he looked just about as nervous and I'm sure he felt. He could barely focus on fixing his tie. I stood up and moved toward him shooing his hands away from the tie.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I began to fix it.

He sighed and stared up at the ceiling.

"What if this shit falls through, man? This plan we got going on. What if they find out it's bullshit and lock my ass up for good? And then I ain't never gon see you or Deon or Mabel or-"

"Chres, stop rambling on about nonsense before I choke you with this tie" I said pulling his tie through the hole and tightening it.

"Man, I'm serious, B"

"So am I. Look, I know you got a lot riding on this case, baby, but we're gonna be fine. Devin can't prove anything. Just stick to the plan and then we can put all  of this shit behind us for good, ok?"

He nodded and we shared a brief kiss.

"Now c'mon. Ced is outside"

"Aight"

We walked out to the car leaving Deon with Miss Mabel. As we drove Chresanto asked Cedric various questions about the club and how it was doing. We finally arrived and were met by Lisa at the front door.

"Hello Mr. August and Ms. Rodriguez"

"What's up, Lisa?" he said giving her a slight smile.

"Okay so looks like today is going to be a pretty easy day. By the looks of it there is no way Devin can defend himself. The evidence is pretty convicting so he'll have to plead guilty"

"How much time does that give him?" I asked.

"Normally 2-3 years but the judge ultimately decides"

We walked inside of the courtroom where I saw Devin sitting beside his attorney. He turned to me with a look so piercing that I had to look away.

"You good?" Chresanto asked as we sat down.

"Yeah...you?"

He nodded.

"Yeah, I'm straight. I just want this nigga out of our lives for good"

I nodded looking up to see Devin still scowling at me.

"Fuck he looking at you so hard for?" Chresanto whispered to me.

I replied with a shrug.

"All rise" we heard all of a sudden and stood immediately.

"You may be seated" the judge said as she took her seat. "Bailiff"

"City of Miami versus Devin Wilks, charged with drug trafficking" the bailiff said.

"And how does the defense plea?"

Devin and his attorney stood.

"Guilty" Devin said and I let a breath go that I had been holding back since the judge walked in.

I felt Chresanto squeeze my hand and I knew that he was glad too.

"Very well. I hereby sentence you to seven years in the Dade County Correctional Institution. Take him away please"

Devin's face changed into one of confusion.

"Hold up, hold up there's been a mistake" he said.

"And what mistake is that, Mr. Wilks?" the judge asked. "You just pled guilty, did you not?"