Resilience | Sweet Pea.

52 - Jailbird Archie.

I stand at the front door with my family, us all dressed for court, again. My heart beats so loud in my chest that I feel like if I open my mouth my heart will jump out. I watch silently as Archie comes down the stairs in a suit and tie, looking nervous but trying not to seem it.

"You ready, Archie?" Mary asks.

Archie bends down to give Vegas some hugs, and the sight kills me. I want everything to be okay, I wanna come home tonight with my whole family. I wanna celebrate at Pops with our friends and family and I wanna set Hiram Lodge on fire. But something in my heart tells me that that is not how today will go. I bite my lip, not wanting to cry as I watch my brother pat and hug his dog for what could be the last time.

"Be a good boy, okay?" Archie tells Vegas, Vegas replies with slobbery kisses. "Good boy."

I look over to Fred and Mary, who look as I do. Strength radiates through their bodies, but so does pain, and fear.

"C'mon bud, we gotta go." Fred says softly, and we leave our house.

We sit in the stuffy courtroom, the room so filled with anxiety you could cut it with a knife. I sit between Fred and Betty, my mind so focused on Archie that almost nothing else feels like it matters.

"Has the jury reached a verdict?" The Judge asks.

One of the jury members stands up. "Your honor, we haven't we're deadlocked 6 to 6 and it's not going to change."

"So be it." The judge says. "The jury is dismissed. Thank you for your service."

I spot Archie asking Mary something as the jury leaves the room.

"What does this mean?" I ask.

"Mistrial. Meaning Archie's case pretty much starts over." Betty informs me.

"That means we have more time to prove he's innocent, right?!" I ask.

"I- I don't know, Nov." Betty sighs.

"Your honor. In lieu of another trial, the state is prepared to offer a deal for a lesser sentence. Instead of prison time served, plus two years in juvenile detention, if Mr Andrews will plead guilty to the crime of manslaughter." Ms Wright offers, my heart stops.

"Your honor-"

"I'll take the deal." Archie stands up, interrupting Mary.

"No, Archie!" The crowd around me calls. I cover my mouth, knowing this isn't going to end with me leading my brother home. Fred stands up, as do I, holding onto Fred as if I might fall.

"Your honor, I accept the deal." Archie says.

"Son, just so I have it straight, through it's legally within your rights, you're ignoring the advice of your counsel, your own mother?" The Judge asks.

"Yes, your honor. I'm guilty." Archie states.

"Mr Andrews, the court accepts your plea of guilty. You'll be taken directly from the courthouse to the Leopold and Loeb Juvenile Detention Center where you will serve out your sentence, beginning immediately. This court is adjourned."

As the hammer falls, so do I. As I watch Mary Andrews tearfully hug her son. Fred catches me as I go down.

"You can't! You can't take him!" I scream, tears involuntarily falling from my heartbroken face. "He's innocent! He's only a teenager! You can't do this!"

"We're gonna get you out of there bud." Fred says whilst trying to hold me up.

"Oh god Archie, no." I cry, Archie looks at me with apologetic eyes.