drag me down | grayson dolan

【twenty】

august 10th, 1991

Today is the day. The day I dread once a year. The day my entire life shifted on its axis, in the worst way. I continue to lay in my bed, feeling too numb to even attempt to get up. My eyes shut as I take in a deep breath.

Nine years. It's been nine years since my father and I were genuinely happy. We sat in the stands of that baseball game, eating hot dogs and sipping on bottles of coca cola. We never imagined our world would be corrupted only a few short hours later.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The opened front door, the way my father screamed. I remember the blood stained kitchen, and the police arriving to my house. I remember the sleepless nights wondering why anyone would want to do this to her. I remember the tears I cried knowing my mother was unfaithful to my father. Most of all, I remember the man. My breathing becomes heavier as I clench my eyes shut.

october 29th, 1985

I hold onto my father's hand, tightly squeezing it. We walk into the Ohio Police Department, a building I have been dreading on entering. We got the call earlier this morning. Both my father and I were trying to process what the police officer told us. They found him. They found the man that killed my mother.

"Peter Jacobs?" An officer with jet black hair walks over to us.

"Yes." My father quietly answers.

"I'm pleased to inform you that the murder investigation of your wife, Anne Jacobs, has been officially closed. John Griffin was caught this morning."

"Are you sure he's the one?" My shaky voice speaks up.

"After three years of investigation, we have proven him to be guilty. He was caught at a gas station on highway fifty seven, trying to flee. He even confessed."

"He confessed?" My father's heart breaks even more.

"We have it on tape. He says he met your wife at the mini mart outside of town. He worked there and she always came in to get groceries. They started an affair, he even knew your name." The officer looks terrified to tell us this.

"My name? He knew we were married and still snuck around with her?" My father's eyes widen with pure anger.

"According to his statement, she came onto him. After all of our research over the years, his story checks out to be true. He was in love with her."

"Apparently not if he killed her!" My father screams.

The officer lets out a sigh, not really knowing what to say. "He's getting the death penalty tonight."

"Where is he now?" I slowly ask.

"Handcuffed to a table in the back. We're bringing him over to the prison in an hour."

"Can I see him?"

"Savannah, are you inane?!" My father looks back at me.

"If you wish to, he won't be able to hurt you." The tall man nods toward a metal door.

I agree, needing to see this man for myself. The officer leads me into the back, despite my angry and upset father. I'm soon faced with a large glass window. My stomach turns at the sight of him.

He's sitting in a chair, clearly unfazed he's about to die. He has long, shaggy blonde hair. It's sweaty and dirty. His green eyes are drained of life, looking tired. He has a scruffy beard that connects to his mustache.