My lawyer came to his feet. “Your Honor, Ms. Jones doesn’t pose a threat to society. Therefore, we ask the court to be lenient and release her from any further obligation.”
My lawyer took his seat, then we waited as the judge scrolled through her laptop. Was she looking at notes from my case and considering all the evidence? Maybe she was simply scanning through recipes on Pinterest, trying to figure out what to cook for dinner tonight.
“Ms. Jones,” the judge began, looking at me, “I’ve read your case, and while I can sympathize with your reasons for doing what you did, the prosecutor is right in arguing that you should’ve been more proactive in shedding light on this error.”
My heart sank. Despite warning myself not to get my hopes up, I’d started to believe the judge might show mercy toward me.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I told myself not to cry. I had to stay strong for Dash and Gage. If I remained in control, maybe they would be able to do the same. I definitely didn’t want Dash to suffer through the pain he’d experienced at the musical when I’d been arrested.
After a momentary pause, the judge continued. “A society can only survive when its citizens follow the rules of that society. Just because we don’t position a traffic officer at every intersection doesn’t mean drivers have the right to ignore stop signs. Without rules and execution of those rules, total chaos would ensue and our lawful nation would cease to exist.”
I nodded, agreeing with everything she said. I should’ve done more to contact my lawyer. I should’ve done more to contact Gage and let him know he had a son. I’d committed a crime, and I deserved to be punished.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. I repeated the Bible verse in my mind over and over. No matter what happened, I wasn’t alone.
In addition to the prayers and support of Gage, Dash, Tamara, Charlie, Janet, and all those people who signed my petition, I had God, walking with me on this journey of redemption.
It’d taken me a while to come to that conclusion, but I truly believed He was here, watching over me. Regardless of the judge’s proclamation, I was going to be okay.
“However . . .” The judge’s voice interrupted my thoughts. Everything inside me froze as I waited for her to continue.
“However, what?” Dash said behind me.
The judge grinned, and I couldn’t help but smile as well. Then, Emerson and the prosecutor chuckled as did the bailiff.
“Okay,” the judge said, trying to get things back on track. “There’s no doubt you’ve changed, Ms. Jones. Your rehabilitation is glaringly obvious. Not only have you managed to take care of your son, but he seems to be thriving in every possible way. He’s definitely confident.”
I glanced over my shoulder at Dash who waved at me. Part of me wanted to freeze this moment, because for the first time since my arrest, I was filled with hope. Hope that might be squashed with the judge’s next words.
“Ms. Jones,” the judge said. “You took matters into your own hands by creating a plan to rectify your situation. You stopped using drugs and are still sober after all these years. You created a business that pays its taxes and gives back to the community. As your lawyer so eloquently said, you’ve done everything the justice system tries to do yet often fails at doing.
“Therefore, I believe putting you back in jail would be a waste of taxpayers’ money, not to mention a tragedy for your son and the other lives you’ve impacted.”
Sucking in a sharp breath, I stared in disbelief at the judge. Did I hear her correctly? Was she really saying what I thought she was saying?
As though reading my mind, she nodded. “Given the evidence, I declare your sentence paid in full. You’re free to go, Ms. Jones. Continue taking care of your son, paying your taxes, and improving your community.”
I pressed my hands to my mouth as a giant sob escaped me. I was free? I was really free?
The courtroom erupted with clapping and laughing. I spun around to see Gage, Dash, Tamara, and Charlie hugging each other. I quickly turned back to the judge. “Thank you! Thank you!”
She smiled, and I hugged my lawyer. “Thank you, Emerson! Thank you! I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you—”
“No payment necessary,” Emerson said. “Miriam Merona is covering my fee.”
“Miriam? Gage’s mom?”
He nodded, and I couldn’t believe it. Why would she do something like that?”
“Mommy!” Leaning over the bar, Dash held open his arms.
I walked toward him and hugged him tight, breathing in the scent of shampoo and cinnamon rolls.
“You get to come home with us,” Dash said.
“I know. I’m so happy.”
Gage joined us, wrapping his arms around both of us. His voice cracked as he said my name. “Natalie.”
“I know.” I clung to him, so incredibly happy. Never again would I take anything for granted. I’d been given another chance, and I intended to make the most of it.
Leaning back, I looked up at Gage. “Your mother paid for my lawyer. Did you know that?”
He nodded. “She insisted on doing it. I didn’t even ask.”
“She didn’t have to do that. I saved money for my legal fees.”
“I know,” Gage said. “She just wanted to.”
“When Grandma and I baked cookies,” Dash said, “she told Emerson that she couldn’t tolerate having the mother of her grandson in jail.”
I stared at my son. “You baked cookies with your grandmother?” Using the word grandmother for Miriam felt foreign on my tongue. Hearing that Dash had baked cookies with her seemed even more unbelievable.
“Snickerdoodles,” Dash said.
“What?”
Gage laughed. “That’s the kind of cookies they baked.”
“Seriously? Your mother baked snickerdoodles with our son and paid for my legal defense?”
Before I could ask if I’d been transported to an episode of The Twilight Zone, Tamara and Charlie called out to me. I broke away from Dash and Gage to hug my dear friend and her husband. “Thank you so much for organizing the petition and coming here for my trial.”
“Of course, that’s what friends do,” Tamara said.
Charlie shrugged. “I just do as I’m told. When my wife says we’re getting on a plane to come support a friend during her criminal trial, that’s what I do.”
I laughed. “I’m touched you came. I’m so incredibly touched. Did you bring your kids?”
Tamara nodded. “They’re staying with Charlie’s parents.”
Dash tugged on my sleeve. “Hey, Mom. Doesn’t my hair smell amazing?”
Smiling, I swiped my eyes with the back of my hand and gave Dash’s hair a good sniff. “Yes, it smells incredible.”
“I used the shampoo in the hotel. Dad said it was free, but the water in the water bottles costs ten dollars.”
I laughed at the normalcy of it all. Give it to Dash to talk about shampoo and water bottles during such a monumental occasion.
*
Moments later, bright sunlight burned my eyes as I stepped out of the courthouse holding hands with Dash and Gage. My mind ran on a continuous cycle of Thank you, God. Thank you, God.
Reporters and camera crews invaded my personal space, asking all sorts of questions. Although my original conviction barely garnished notice from the press, people were now interested in the mom who’d delivered her own baby in the bathtub and avoided going to jail for eight years. I’d already received an email from a literary agent offering to represent me in a book deal.
“Did you know the judge planned on releasing you?” the reporter asked.
“Can we just go home?” Dash asked.
Leaning toward him, I gave him a hug. While I understood and sympathized with his desire to leave, I wanted to use this opportunity to say a few words. “Give me just a minute, okay, Dash?”
He nodded, and I straightened to address the press. “I was rea
lly hoping the judge would release me, but I didn’t know for sure.”
Other reporters asked questions, but I put up a hand to stop them. “It’s been a long journey, and I just want to thank everyone for their support. So many times, I felt all alone. Looking at my friends and family and all those who signed the petition, I realize I wasn’t alone.”
I took a deep breath and continued. “If you watch the news, it’s easy to get discouraged with the world. It’s easy to believe kindness and decency no longer exist. It’s easy to believe there is no God.
“I’m here to tell you that’s not true. I’m here to say I believe most people are decent. So, thank you. Thank you everyone who signed my petition and prayed for me. I will never forget your kindness. Thank you to the judge and my lawyer.
“My family and I have been through a lot, so I’m not going to answer any more questions today. Right now, I just want to go home and enjoy my freedom with my family.”
A few people clapped, but some of the reporters ignored my speech and fired off another round of questions. Turning to Gage, I said, “Are you ready to get out of here?”
He nodded. “Definitely.”
“Me, too,” Dash said.
Chapter 50
Natalie – 2017
After leaving the courthouse, we drove to the hotel where I stood under the showerhead for nearly an hour, soaking up the hot, clean water. In my opinion, lack of privacy in the bathroom and good water pressure were two of the hardest things about jail. Missing those luxury items didn’t compare to being separated from your loved ones or having someone else raise your children, but they definitely ranked top ten.
When I came out of the bathroom, I found Dash and Gage sound asleep on one of the queen-sized beds. The stress of everything must’ve caught up with them, and I was happy they had a chance to rest. They both looked so content, sleeping on their stomachs with their faces turned to the left.
I’m sure Gage’s mother took one look at Dash, saw the little boy Gage had once been, and immediately fell in love. No wonder she pulled out her snickerdoodle recipe and paid for my defense.
I was incredibly grateful for Miriam’s generosity. More than that, I was grateful she seemed interested in being a grandmother to Dash. I’d never had a grandmother, but I’d always envied those who did.
Because of our past, I couldn’t imagine Miriam ever winning mother-in-law-of-the-year, but maybe Dash would unite us. He was a special kid, and if anybody could soothe the wounds of the past, it would be him.
“Hey,” Gage said, opening his eyes and glancing up at me. “How was your shower?”
“Awesome.” Smiling, I sat on the bed beside him.
He took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “I don’t like it when you go to jail.”
I smiled. “I’m not planning on going back. Ever.”
“Good.” He held my gaze a moment, then gently tugged me toward him and kissed me.
When our lips touched, the jumbled pieces of my life fell into place. It’d been so long since I felt whole like this. Gage ran a hand through my hair and pulled me closer, deepening our kiss.
“Gross,” Dash said, sitting up in bed.
Gage and I pulled away, both of us laughing. “Sorry, buddy,” Gage said, still holding my hand. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to get used to seeing me kiss your mom from here on out.”
“Yuck.” Dash covered his face with both hands and shook his head. “Can we go to Grandma’s house now?”
Gage glanced at me. “Are you ready or do you need a little more time?”
“I’m ready,” I said, nervous about seeing Miriam again. At least Tamara, Charlie, and their kids would be there this time. Charlie and Sheela’s parents were coming to dinner as well. Sheela, however, was too busy with her new boyfriend to make the trip to Chicago.
Gage sat up and flung his legs over the side of the bed. As he reached for his prosthesis, I noticed the half-empty bottle of expensive hotel water. “You opened one of the water bottles?”
“Not me,” Dash said, defensive. “It was Dad.”
Gage pulled his liner over his stump and shrugged. “I thought a celebration was in order, so I splurged on a five-dollar bottle of water.”
I laughed. “Maybe we can do something a little more exciting to celebrate my freedom.”
“We are,” Dash said, jumping out of bed and grabbing his shoes. “We’re having dinner with Grandma.”
Gage winked at me. “That’s right. Having dinner with Grandma will be an awesome celebration.”
*
On the drive out to Gage’s old house, I thought about the first time I’d made this trip. I’d been so nervous and unsure of myself.
Now, everything was different. I was still nervous, but I was confident it would take an act of God to tear me apart from Gage. I’d lost him once, and I wasn’t planning on losing him again.
As though reading my thoughts, Gage reached across the seat and took my hand. I smiled at him and gave his hand a squeeze.
“Oh, no,” Dash said from the back seat. “I guess besides kissing I’m going to see a lot more hand-holding, too.”
Gage and I both just laughed.
Epilogue
Gage – 2017
Five days after returning to San Francisco, I proposed to Natalie for the second time. “Isn’t it too soon?” she asked.
“No. We’ve been apart long enough. I want to be your husband again. I want us to live together and raise Dash together. I want us to be a family, and I want to have another baby with you.”
She laughed. “Okay, let’s get married.”
I lifted her off the ground and kissed her. “I love you.”
She placed a hand on my cheek. “I love you, too, Gage.”
Because neither one of us wanted a fancy ceremony, we were married in our church the next weekend. Tamara was Natalie’s only attendant, and Dash served as my best man. Janet flew down for the wedding as did my mother, which shocked both Natalie and me.
Instead of going away for a honeymoon, we stayed in San Francisco because Natalie felt she’d been gone long enough. Later, when Dash started back to school, Natalie and I planned on taking a trip to celebrate our marriage.
Maybe by then we’ll have found a house that made sense for our family. Right now, we were still living in the loft above the gym. We both loved it there, and it felt like home, but I was worried we’d need more room when the baby came.
Yes, Dash was going to be a big brother. Natalie and I were thrilled by the pregnancy and couldn’t wait to welcome another child into our family.
“Hey,” Natalie said, coming into the kitchen as I finished the dinner dishes. “They’re showing a movie on the boardwalk tomorrow night. Tamara and Charlie are going with their kids. Do you want to take Dash?”
I turned off the faucet and dried my hands on a dish towel. “Sure. What’s playing?”
A sly grin tugged at the corner of her lips. “Just some movie about a pig.”
I laughed. “Are you telling me they’re playing Babe on the boardwalk?”
She nodded.
I leaned against the counter and tugged her toward me. “If you’re going, then I definitely want to see the pig movie.”
“Oh, I’m going all right.” She slipped her arms around my neck.
I smiled, then I kissed her with all the passion in my heart. “I love you, Natalie.”
“I love you, too.”
We kissed again, until Dash entered the kitchen. “Let’s keep things G-rated, here, people.”
Gage and I both laughed, then we opened our arms and welcomed our son into our embrace.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading my book Forgiving Natalie. If you enjoyed it, please consider leaving a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever you purchased this book. The review doesn’t have to be long. Just one or two sentences giving your honest opinion would really help me out by allowing other readers to find me.
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Love,
Kristin Noel Fischer
Excerpt from Anna’s Courage
Chapter 1
Nick
New Year’s Eve – Rose Island, Texas
Wanting to escape the loud New Year’s Eve party, I stepped outside and strode across the wooden deck of my brother’s beach house. Ocean waves crashed against the Texas Gulf Coast as I leaned against the railing and inhaled the warm, salty air.
Tomorrow at this time, I’d fly back to my army post in Germany. Back to the life I knew and loved. The life I’d always wanted.
Yet, for the first time, I found myself envying my older brother Ethan. What would it be like to live on this peaceful island and work a stable civilian job? To have a wife and kids?
Shaking my head, I pushed the thought far away. Domestic life on Rose Island, or anywhere else, had never been part of my career plan. Never been something I’d wanted.
Startled by a noise behind me, I turned to see Anna Morgan sitting on a bench against the house. Had she been here the whole time, watching me contemplate the meaning of my life?
Even though she had no way of reading my thoughts, I was embarrassed and scrambled for something clever to say but went with the lame, “Are you enjoying the party?”
She wiped away a tear, making me want to kick myself. I should’ve commented on the beautiful night. On the full moon. On the deafening music. Of course she wasn’t enjoying the party. She was sitting alone on a bench, crying.
“Your brother and his wife really know how to entertain, don’t they?” she said, putting on a brave smile.
I glanced inside at the conga line weaving around the living room furniture and elaborately decorated tables laden with appetizers and desserts. Over the music, the DJ’s boisterous voice shouted, “Forty-five minutes until midnight, y’all!”
Forgiving Natalie Page 25