Trust Issues

Chapter 43: Guilty

It was.

The headline read: 'Robert O'Leary found guilty of fraud and money laundering.'

"Oh my god it's my father." I let out, not realizing I said it out loud.

Jasmine practically jumped over the bar counter to take a look, and Lily stood in shock looking between me and the TV.

"Holy shit." Jasmine said mouth hanging open.

I simply nodded as I took this in. My father is going to prison, as in detained, unable to touch us.

"He's behind bars, he can't do anything." I spoke in realization, turning to Jas.

I noticed a feeling of relief come over me.

"CJ, he's going to be in there for at least 20 years with all the charges against him." Jas said looking from me to the TV reporter discussing the topic.

What does this mean? What now?

Of course I went straight home after my shift and told Cat all about it. We even looked it up to see exactly what was going on. Turns out he was caught for years of fraud within the company and some other illegal activity involved. Robert O'Leary will in fact be serving 15 years. I wonder how my mom feels about all this.

"So...what happens now? Should we go see mom or something? I don't think I'm ready to face her yet." Cat said.

"I don't know to be honest with you. I have a gut feeling telling me that I should go see dad." I responded.

Cat eyes grew wide in surprise.

"CJ...are you ready for that? He may be behind bars now but remember he will get out eventually."

"I just have to face him. I'm tired of being terrified and having these nightmares and intrusive thoughts. I know it won't all magically disappear because the damage has been done, but I feel like it's closure."

Cat nodded slowly.

"I don't expect you to want to come with me, I definitely don't want you near them still." I continued.

"Yeah I don't want to, Im too scared. I'm dealing with it better by just keeping my distance. I understand that it's different for you so if that's what you need to do, I support you. Just please be safe." Cat stated.

"I'll be safe, but I think I need to sleep on it. Does the article say where he will be?"

"Hmm. Oh here! Miami Federal Detention Center." Cat said looking through the article.

I went to sleep that night going through a mental pros and cons list.

Pros:
- I'll get closure
- I'll get to finally confront him for everything he's done to us
- Im mostly protected by correctional officers

Cons:
- He could still hurt me in the moment if he moves quick enough, not that I haven't taken his hits before
- He could come after me when he's out (or who knows, maybe send some guy after us since he's got nothing to lose now.)

The final verdict, I'm scared...but I think I'm going to go through with it.

***

"You're going by yourself?" Exclaimed Lily.

I shushed her, trying not to cause a scene. I pulled her from the kitchen to lockers where there was no one.

"Yeah I have to, I'm not going to put anyone else in danger like that, especially my sister. It's scary, what he's capable of doing, what he was charged with is honestly a small portion of the illegal things I've watched him take part in." I said honestly.