by Becky Durfee
The newscaster continued. “Either way, it looks like Brian Morris is going to be spending a little more time in jail.”
“It looks that way, yes.”
Jenny sat motionless as the voices on the television continued to speak, but it all just sounded like noise to her. Brian was going to spend additional time in jail. Unsure what to make of it all, she looked out her front window, waiting for Zack to come home and help her sort it all out.
Eventually Zack’s car did pull into the driveway. She greeted him at the door, and he said as he approached, “I heard. It was on the radio.”
“I don’t even know what to think,” Jenny said as they walked into her living room.
“Honestly, I think that’s as good as we could have hoped for,” Zack reasoned as he sat down on her couch. She sat beside him as he continued. “The truth of the matter is that Brian did kill him. He admits to it. He could have easily gotten life in prison or even the death penalty for that.” He patted Jenny on the leg. “I think it’s your hard work in getting the journal that spared him from that.”
Unconvinced that the news was good, Jenny shook her head. “I don’t know. I just can’t help but think that jail is going to swallow that kid whole. Sure, he may be out in a few years, but how’s he going to be?” She looked at her lap. “He’s going to come out of there hardened and broken.”
“He was hardened and broken before he went in,” Zack noted. “And that was Aaron’s fault, not yours.”
Wiping away the tears that were beginning to surface, she said, “I know it’s not my fault. I just can’t help but feel that Brian’s life is ruined. And knowing how much Patricia loved him…it breaks my heart.” Placing her hand on her belly she added, “I guess it scares me as much as it saddens me.” She looked up at Zack. “What if I make mistakes parenting this child? What if the mistakes ruin this child’s life?”
Zack got up off the couch and lowered to his knees in front of her so he could look at her at eye level. He cupped his hands lovingly on her face and said, “Listen to me. You’re going to make a great mom. Sure, you’ll make mistakes. I’ll make mistakes. Every parent in the world makes mistakes. But neither of us is Aaron, so it won’t be as bad as all that.”
As Jenny lowered her gaze, Zack moved his face downward so he was still in her line of sight. “Hey,” he said. “Are you hearing me?”
When she closed her eyes, two tears streaked down Jenny’s face; Zack wiped them away with his thumbs. “I’m telling you,” he said again. “You’ll be a great mom.”
Jenny nodded and tried to regain her composure.
“Here,” Zack said, “I’ve got something that will make you feel better.” He propped up one leg as he reached into his pocket. Making a face as he fished his hand around, he finally pulled out what he was looking for.
Remaining on one knee, Zack held out a small black box. He opened it to reveal the solitaire diamond ring housed inside. Reaching out to tuck Jenny’s hair behind her ear, he said, “Jennifer Watkins…you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and the only woman I’ve ever loved.” He smiled at her lovingly.
“Will you marry me?”
To be continued in Trapped.