by Alison Cole
"We've lost almost a week in preparing for our European tour, you know. Are you working on vocalization and breathing?" he asks me.
"As much as I can. I have to inhale slowly so I don't start a coughing fit. Thankfully, I have the nebulizer, which helps me keep my airways open. As long as I use that and pay close attention to my breathing, I should be fine. I hate to think how I'll sound singing the first time!"
"Oh, Lord. I don't even want to think about that! Just take care of yourself and drink lots of fluids. Our health is the best tool we have as we go into our last weeks before the tour begins. Hey, what do you hear about the sentencing for Cara and her friend?"
"Nothing yet. I do know the magistrate wasn't very impressed with their outbursts at sentencing. I just hope they don't get off scot-free, Tim. If they do, Marcus and I have discussed leaving Great Britain altogether and moving, either to Europe or the U.S. I wouldn't feel free or safe here in England."
"Can't say I blame you, although that would mean we'd also have to move. It would be worth it, just to keep you lot and the baby safe, though. Tell you what. We'll talk about that on Monday," Tim promises.
"Sounds good. I'd just like to have a plan, just in case." We ring off and I go to play with Lizzie. Marcus has been watching her and I know he has several articles backed up that he needs to write and get out to his clients.
"Marcus, I'll take over with Lizzie-girl. You have a lot of work to do," I tell him.
"Thanks, yes. They're beginning to pile up on me. Was that Tim you were talking to? What did he have to say?"
"Get working. Yes, it was. We talked about our practice schedule and the tour...and that, if two certain kooks are not sentenced to prison, we would be looking at an international move away from here," I say.
"Ahhh. Yes, that is important, isn't it?" Marcus responds as he sets up his day's work. "I wish we'd hear soon so we can go back and hear what their sentences are going to be, if anything. You know, you might want to call your mum and set that up, just in case. See if she could come here to take care of Lizzie, although it would be almost at a moment's notice."
That gets my attention.
"You know, that's not a bad idea. Thankfully, she lives only a short distance away, so she could get here quickly. I don't want Lizzie anywhere near those loons. I'll call her."
After I give Lizzie her lunch, I retreat to a corner of the dining room and call mum.
"Mum, how are you and dad feeling?"
"Better, thanks. He's back to normal, although I'm making him stay at home until Monday. What about you lot? How's my Lizzie-girl?"
"We're all much better. Lizzie and I are still coughing like mad, though, and I'm still using that nebulizer. We'll begin practicing again next week, bar any more emergencies...I have a request. Marcus and I were just talking about, you know...two certain people who've had such an effect on our lives. We're still waiting to hear on their sentencing hearings. We probably won't hear anything until the day the magistrate makes his decision, I don't know. Would you be able to come to the house and mind her for us? We'd like to be there so we know what sentences they get, if anything. And we don't want her in the court room."
"Yes, I'll be there. Definitely. And, from what I know of the justice system, the magistrate will set a date ahead of time. Look for a notice to come in the post. Once you get it, give me a ring and we'll set it up," mum says.
"Oh! That's so much better than I expected! Thank you, mum! I will." We ring off and Lizzie finishes her lunch. After cleaning her up, I change her nappy and put her down for her afternoon nap. Once she's down, I bundle up and go check our post. Sure enough, there's a letter from the magistrate's office, giving us the dates for the sentencing hearings for Melanie and Cara.
"Marcus! We have the sentencing hearing date! Both of them will be sentenced on...on Wednesday next," I tell him as I check the calendar.
"Lovely! What time?"
"Melanie's hearing is at nine and Cara's at ten-thirty. I wonder why the long time span in between? Isn't it just a matter of the magistrate telling them how long they'll be behind bars? Or..."
"He may have another hearing already scheduled for in between, I'm thinking."
"Yes, that makes sense. Well, now we start praying even harder than we've been before," I tell him. I call mum and set up the arrangements with her.
"Right after your dad goes to work, I'll go over. Will Lizzie need a bath or anything?"
"No, just play with her and feed her. Change her nappy as needed. And, please, pray! If they are released, we're talking about moving away from the U.K. They've both made it clear that they don't see their actions as harmful and I wouldn't feel safe," I tell mum.
"Oh, Lord, that makes me hope even more that they're sentenced! Scum they are, for making you feel as if you need to leave your home! Scum, I say!" Mum is really upset, but then, so am I. "I'll be there good and early so you and Marcus have time to find parking and a seat inside the court house."
"Thank you, mum. And...I love you," I tell her.
As I drink water and practice, I try to think positively. They will be sentenced. It's in the record that Cara came after Marcus, Lizzie and me more than once. She has a clear mental health problem. The same is true of Melanie. Just keep thinking positive and pray, girl! Come Wednesday next, we'll know for sure.
When I go into Marcus' office, I find him staring out the window, lost in thought.
"Hey, earth to Marcus! Hello! Why the 'lost in space' look?" I ask him.
"Oh, I'm just imagining a Cara- and Melanie-free world, with those two locked up for many, many years. I can't allow myself to think of the alternative..."
"Hush, luv. We have to think positive." It's odd...Marcus has been a pillar of strength for me through this whole nightmare, yet now, I feel as if I am holding him up! Well, when I think about it, he's supported me emotionally and physically so many times since this all started. That he feels the need to feel a little weak and unsure of himself is natural. I walk over to him and hug him strongly from behind.
He puts his hands over mine, then tugs me around so I sit on his lap. We're both lost in thought.
We are sitting in the magistrate's court room, waiting for Melanie's hearing to start. The press are here in droves. I find myself trying hard to ignore them and their overtures. As the magistrate comes in, my level of alertness goes even higher - I am hyper-focused on the magistrate and Melanie Stabb.
"Miss Stabb, will you please stand?"
Melanie rises shakily. She's skinnier than ever!
"Miss Stabb, notwithstanding your mental health condition, you decided to help another person plan and carry out an illegal act. When questioned on the stand, you expressed no sorrow for your actions. That leads me to believe that, if you find another opportunity, you will act in a similar way in future. For these reasons, and because attempted kidnapping is a crime in Great Britain, I am sentencing you to life in prison with no possibility of an early release. This means you will not be allowed to petition for parole."
Melanie and the court room erupt in loud noise. Now, I am grateful I kept Lizzie at home with mum!
"NO! NO! I have a mental illness! I cannot be sentenced behind bars! You fuckin' bitch! I'll get out and I'll get you!" Before she is restrained and pulled out of the court room, she howls her anger and hatred at the magistrate and me.
Marcus pulls my shaking body into his arms. He's trembling, himself.
An hour and a half later, I have managed to calm down. I'm sitting in my seat, waiting for the guards to bring Cara in. When they do, I see a sallow, overweight woman with dark bags under her eyes. Her bright-yellow hair has dark roots several inches long. She looks...terrible!
"Miss Wells, notwithstanding your several mental health diagnoses, you decided to carry out an illegal act against three innocent people. One of whom was an infant at that time. When you were questioned during your testimony, you expressed no remorse, no sorrow, for your harmful actions. Instead, you attempted to rati
onalize away your actions, saying that you wanted only to see Mr. Hadley and try to get closer to him. A mere baby was your means of attempting to do so. With all of these considerations in mind, I am sentencing you to life behind bars, with no option for parole..."
"FUCK YOU! No! You don't understand what I've been through, how I've tried to get close to him...I...I love him. I...GODDAMN YOU, YOU BITCH! When I get out, I'll KILL YOU!!" Cara struggles mightily against the court room guards, who double down on her. It takes several of them to restrain her and put handcuffs on her. As they force her out of the court room, they make a strange and odd dance.
I begin crying after I hear the depths of Cara's insanity.
"Oh, my God, that was..." I say.
"What? What was intense?" Marcus asks me.
"I was just imagining the sentencing hearings. Horrible! They were sentenced to life and they both blew up at me!" I tell Marcus.
"Lord. I hope they'll have guards in there."
Watching Marcus, I see a far-away look on his face.
Johanna and I are at the sentencing hearings for Cara and Melanie. I'm scared for me...but more so for her and my baby girl. They intend harm to Johanna and tried to use my Lizzie to get to me. They are truly...insane. They have no remorse for their actions. I hope they get life.
I pay close attention as the guards bring Melanie Stabb in. Lord, she has gotten skinny! Is she anorexic? The magistrate walks in and sits behind his bench.
"Miss Stabb, please stand. I have looked at all the evidence presented during your trial. I looked at your mental health diagnosis as well. For this reason, I am sentencing you to time served, but you will be required to enter an inpatient mental health facility so you can learn about your condition, how it manifests and how it causes you to mistreat others. I am requiring you to enter inpatient treatment and face-to-face therapy with a mental health professional who specializes in treating borderline personality disorder. When this professional indicates that you are able to control your disorder and that you consistently respect the rights of others, you will be discharged back into society. Next!"
No! She...she'll kill my family!
I'm still swallowing nausea and tears when the guards bring Cara in. How could she have ever thought that I could be attracted to her? I remembered her only after browsing through the school year book. She was that...unmemorable. I shudder as she looks at me and simpers at me.
"Miss Wells, please stand. I have gone over the details of your actions against the Hadley family, including the attempted kidnapping of baby Lizzie Hadley. I have read the transcript of your testimony from the stand. You expressed no remorse. Therefore, I am sentencing you to inpatient treatment in a lockdown psychiatric facility. You will learn about your various mental health conditions and how they manifest themselves. You will learn how these conditions lead you to disregard the rights of others. You will be required to participate in face-to-face therapy and take medication for your schizophrenic disorder. Once you have learned to appreciate the seriousness of your diagnoses and begun treating others with the respect they deserve, you will be sentenced to serve fifteen years behind bars. You will serve the full fifteen years, with no possibility for early release."
"NO! How can you do that to someone for loving someone else? You BITCH! I'm getting out and when I find you, I'm killing you! Marcus is mine...we will be..."
"My God, no!" Marcus shouts.
I look at him - he's ashen-pale and a thin film of sweat covers his face.
"Marcus, what? What is it!"
"Oh, my God, I can't believe it! I was thinking of what could happen next week...the magistrate only required Melanie to spend time in a psychiatric hospital, coming to grips with her disorder. Once she's 'able to respect the rights of others with consistency,' she's scot-free. And Cara! God! She gets the same, plus fifteen years behind bars. She won't get any parole. She threatened you, Johanna! She said that she and I...belong together." As he says the last two words, he shudders violently and almost gags.
"My Lord, Marcus! This could really happen...you know, we need to make preparations to leave if they get off. We'll have to leave England fast. I want to talk to Tim."
"Jo. Jo! Johanna! Hold up! Come here and sit down again," Marcus orders.
I sit down on his lap and wrap my arms around his neck.
"What? We need to get busy," I remind him.
"Yes, we do. But we need to think about where we'd go. Make travel arrangements. Make sure our passports are current. Now! I think, if we have to, we can temporarily relocate to New York. The boys would have to join us, if not at the same time, then immediately after. I'm calling Tim and setting up a meeting for here later on today..."
Marcus calls Tim, Laslow and Linny. Within an hour, they are all here at the house and we're talking about the nightmare scenario that Marcus had.
"God! I hate to say this Jo, but it's a good thing he had that daydream," Laslow says.
"It's pretty short notice, but if need be, we can leave the country and go...you said New York, Marcus? We can go there with the bare basics and have everything else shipped. We all have families, so we'd need to take the kids out of school and enroll them in school over there...let's make some contingency plans, for just in case. I hope we won't need them, but, we'll have them, in the event the worst happens," Tim points out.
"Yes, New York. The city is full of the facilities the band need. We can be pretty damned anonymous in such a large place. We can find houses or an apartment complex with flats to let. I'm also thinking that we'd need to have fake names so that, if Cara and Melanie try to find us, it'd be even harder. Now, Jo and I would need to get an emergency passport for Lizzie pretty damned fast. I'll ring up the Home Office and find out about getting a passport for her. You lot should have passports for your kids as well," Marcus points out.
Twenty minutes later, we learn that everything is set, save Lizzie's passport. We gather all the required documentation and plan to visit the Home Office' Passport processing centre the next day. From there, everyone goes home and they begin packing and getting all of their paperwork together - we will literally be able to leave minutes after the sentencing hearings, if Melanie and Cara do not get prison time.
I force myself to focus on my vocal exercises - this is the only way I can keep from going crazy while we wait for the hearings on Wednesday next. That weekend, Marcus and I decide to go visit our families and let them know what we are planning. We start with his family, since his mother tends to be a very nervous, emotional person.
"Mum, dad, the sentencing hearings are on Wednesday next. Johanna and I are going, but we would appreciate it if you would stay away, because it could get...intense. Also, we came to the realization that they could get off nearly scot-free, except for any requirements for mental health treatment.
"Dad, we...I am afraid that, if they get off, both women could prove to be a threat to the safety and well-being of all three of us. Therefore, we are making plans to leave the U.K., just in case. It may not happen, mum...it may not happen, but we have to be ready just in case it does. We would fly to the U.S. and settle in a large city where Johanna and the band can find and use music facilities for their practices. We're thinking a large U.S. city, like New York City, so we can be more anonymous, and speaking of that - we're going to use false names over there - if we have to leave here."
Marcus's mum begins to sob and moan.
"Mum, this is for the safety of all of us. A crazy woman is fixated on me, and is threatening Lizzie and Johanna. I can't just sit by and watch it happen," says Marcus firmly.
This message apparently soaks in. My mum-in-law appears to get a grip on her emotions. Swabbing at the tears sliding down her cheeks, she inhales and slowly exhales.
"I know, Marc. It's just that I'll miss the three of you."
"Mum, we're only a flight away. If we even have to go. We don't know what the magistrate will decide. He may decide to throw them in prison and throw away the key. We just don't know.
That's why we decided to make these plans. If we have to go, we'll go on the European tour, leaving from and returning to the U.S. Mum. You and dad raised me to be a strong man who takes care of his family. That's what I'm doing. Okay?" He tenderly embraces his mother, who returns the embrace.
"I know. I'll be okay. I'll just need to cry behind the door and I'll be adjusted to it. Just you see."
From there, we drive to my parents' house. As at my in-laws house, Lizzie settles down to play while the grown-ups talk.
"Dad, mum, the sentencing hearing is next week. We don't know what the magistrate is going to decide. What we do know is that both Cara and Melanie are dangerous to all three of us," Marcus begins. "That said, Jo, the band and I sat and talked earlier today. Should the magistrate decide that he's going to let them off scot-free, the danger level goes right back up. And that's why we've decided..."
"That it's time for you to put several thousand miles in between you and those crazy...nuts," my dad interjects.
I look at him in surprise.
"I've been having the same fears, Johanna-girl. You and Marcus are right. If you must, pack up and fly where you're safer. Where would that be, by the way?" my dad asks us.
"The U.S., in a large city. Somewhere like New York city. We can become anonymous, use fake names and essentially vanish," Marcus says. "The band will join us as well. We can practice, work, record and plan tours from there just as easily as we can here."
"What about your managers?" my mum asks. As she speaks, she swoops Lizzie up into her arms and on her lap for a grannie-cuddle.
"When we get home, I'll call them," I say. "We just wanted to talk to you and Marcus' parents first. We're going to pack and hope that we can come home, feeling right foolish and unpack everything again."