CHAPTER 10: THE ARREST
Preston was arrested that afternoon.
I watched him being led out of the courthouse in handcuffs.
His perfect tuxedo was gone.
His perfect reputation was gone.
And for the first time in my life, I saw him for what he really was.
A criminal.
A liar.
A coward.
My mother tried to stop the police.
"This is a mistake," she said. "You're making a huge mistake."
"Ma'am, please step aside."
"I'm calling my lawyer."
"Ma'am, you can call whoever you want. But your son is going to jail."
My mother turned to me.
Her eyes were full of hatred.
"Are you happy now?"
"No," I said. "But I'm not sad, either."
"He's your brother."
"He was my brother. But he stopped being my brother the moment he touched my daughter."
My mother walked away.
My father followed her.
But he paused at the door.
He looked at me.
Said nothing.
And then he left.
I stood in the courthouse, alone.
May you like
And I felt something I hadn't felt in years.
Peace.
