Emory

 

The most treasured gift is the smile I wake up to every morning…

 

 

 

 

Six months later…

 

“In the case of Krista Black, the state of Texas finds you guilty of helping in a prisoner escape, kidnapping and interfering with a federal investigation. Sentencing to be carried out as following, six consecutive years for kidnapping to be followed up with no parole hearing. In the case of helping a prisoner escape custody, ten years will be added for that offense. For interfering with a federal investigation that holds a sentence of five years. This gives a total of twenty-one years to be served. Parole hearing cannot take place until after the initial six-year sentence has been carried out, at Huntsville Penitentiary for Women, and then it is to the discretion of the parole board to decide if you have been reformed.”

The judge takes a breath then says, “Miss Black, I truly hope, while you’re behind bars, that you take advantage of the services that are available to you. You need the psychological courses, and you need to speak with a psychiatrist or therapist. I’ll even offer counseling services to you. You need help, young lady, this man has you brainwashed, and I hope that you can come to see that one day. He does not deserve your devotion, or your help in any of his escapades. I truly believe you are not well, or I would’ve thrown the book at you, and given you the harshest sentence available to me. I should…no, I will make it a mandate of parole for you to have completed classes, and fifty hours of counseling, or therapy. Your sentence is to be carried out immediately, and no time served while awaiting your court appearance will be applied. I will personally speak to the parole board and let them know of my recommendations and highly give my opinion that you shouldn’t be considered for release unless all of my conditions have been met. Good luck to you, young lady.”

Then he turns his attention towards Branson. “As for you, Augustus Branson. I find you guilty of murder, vandalism, kidnapping, escape from custody and arson. For the murder of at least ten known people, Carolina Sheridan, Corporal Steven Sheridan, Lieutenant Meredith Leeson, Douglas Reardon, Captain Craig Rashad, Layton Riverdale, Sidney Smith, Corporal Shawn Silver, David Cronick Jr. and Captain LeRoy Donnell. You are to carry out a life sentence in Leavenworth, where you will be heavily guarded. I have been informed you will have no access to a phone, letters…neither receiving or sending. No library time to where you’d have access to a computer, in other words, Mr. Branson, you will have no amenities offered to you. For the arson, escape, vandalism and kidnapping, I combined these charges and have offered a second life sentence, per my discretion. You, Mr. Branson are a lost cause and a drain on society. No parole will be offered to you, you will serve these two life sentences consecutively. You will die a lonely existence, as it should be. Your guards are here to escort you. Sentence begins immediately, and you will not be offered any time served.”

He bangs his gavel and calls out, “You are dismissed.” He raises from his chair and walks through a door that was behind his bench. I’m assuming that is where his chambers are.

“Remind me to send him a basket of baked treats,” I lean over and tell Marcus.

“Sure, baby,” he says, but his eyes aren’t on me, they’re on Branson as he’s escorted out. Branson notices Marcus’ eyes trailing him, and he gives him a sadistic smile. “I hate that son of a bitch,” Marcus says.

“Me too,” I say, as I notice Branson’s eyes have now traveled to me, and the kiss he blows my way has my entire body shivering in disgust.

“Let’s get out of here,” Rainey says to us, “that guy gives me the creeps.”

“Here-here,” Ariel states. I smile at my sisters, thankful that this has been put to rest, and we can carry on with our lives.

We get in Marcus’ truck, but I notice we aren’t driving in the direction of home. “Where are we going?” I ask him.

“I just need to see it with my own two eyes,” he answers.

Confused by his statement, my brows and nose crunch up, but I soon understand what he means when we pull up to the back bay, and watch as Branson is put in, rather roughly, causing me to squeal out in delight. His eyes light up with my sound and we watch as two separate vans drive away, one holding Krista and the other one Branson.

“Come on, baby, let’s go home,” I say to him, squeezing his hand with mine.