Chapter 14 - The Sentence
The judge allowed it.
David turned toward me.
“Maya.”
His hands shook.
“I’m sorry about the money.”
“I’m sorry about Julianne.”
“I’m sorry I used your anxiety against you.”
Then he stopped.
“I’m sorry I read the voicemail and decided you were being dramatic.”
His face collapsed.
“I don’t know how to live with that.”
I surprised myself.
“That’s not my job anymore.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
Then he looked at Lily’s school photograph.
“I loved her.”
I believed him.
That was the worst part.
Love did not make him show up.
The judge sentenced David to eighteen years for financial crimes, conspiracy, identity theft, benefit theft, obstruction, and attempted insurance fraud.
Not for being a bad husband.
Not for missing Lily’s death.
The law could not sentence those things.
Julianne received probation and home confinement after cooperation and restitution.
Charles went to prison.
Two vendor executives pleaded guilty.
Vance Meridian paid penalties and changed its board.
I left executive management permanently.
Then a prison letter from David arrived.
The first line read.
After sentencing, reporters shouted whether eighteen years was enough.
I did not know what enough meant.
Enough money returned?
Enough birthdays missed?
Enough mornings waking up with the voicemail in his head?
Punishment uses numbers because pain cannot.
I went home and made toast.
I burned it.
I ate it anyway.
I keep thinking about the word suffocating.
I stopped reading.
Not yet.
May you like
Maybe never.
