Nobody’s Home

Chapter 16

Tess kept telling herself everything would be alright, just have faith. But as the days neared to the trial; the walls in the small cell seemed to get smaller. She was forced to think about everything that had happened. She was glad James was gone but now the fact she killed him was taking it’s toll.

If she could go back she just would’ve stayed away that day, found another way to deal with him. But she couldn’t go back and now she was stuck facing a murder trial where she had to tell her story.

Tess still hadn’t told Sonya what had happened that evening with James because then it would become public recorded, she didn’t want that. But Sonya informed her yesterday that she was going to take the stand and she had to tell what happened, it was their only chance of winning.

It was making her sick to think of it getting up in front of all those people and telling them what it took so long for her to even admit to herself. But it was her only chance to win this case; the district attorney was coming at her hard with first degree murder. The town didn’t see a girl that killed in self defense. They saw what the DA was putting out there; a deranged girl killed her stepfather for reasons unknown. She killed a good solid man, took a father from two little kids, that’s what they saw.

Tess wasn’t sure if telling them the truth would help, who would believe her anyway? She was trouble, everyone in town always said so, and this just sealed the deal.

She closed her eyes and leaned back against the hard cold wall. She let herself dream of a time this would be over and she would be free. Her mother was there smiling, happy for another chance between them. Tristan was there, now they could finally have a chance at something real. She saw herself being someone and someone that was finally happy.

She opened her eyes when she heard footsteps. “Not you again.” She groaned when the DA stood outside the cell. “What do you want?”

“I came to offer you a deal. Plead guilty and serve twenty years, after that you’re free.” He said.

“Some deal.” Tess flatly said.

“Better then life in prison which I’ll see you get if this is taken to court.” Tim Shepherd promised.

“You said you’re self I deserve worse. If you’re so sure I’ll get life, why the deal then?” Tess found herself wanting to know. There had to be a reason he was backing down, not much but still backing down.

“We’re going to have a problem Tim if you keep talking to my client.” Sonya said as she neared the cell, she glanced at Tess and told her to keep quiet. “Offering a deal without her lawyer around inst valid in the court of law so stop trying to win this case by breaking policy.”

“This isn’t over.” Were Tim’s last words before walking away from the cell.

“What’s going on now?” Tess was almost scared to ask. Lately it was just answered with bad news.

“We have a new witness.”

“Witness? I didn’t know we had any witnesses besides me.” Tess said but the look across Sonya’s face said it was good news.

“You weren’t the only girl James hurt. An article was ran in the paper yesterday since the court day is getting closer. I got a call from a girl saying she wanted to make things right, that you shouldn’t go to jail for what you did because she wished she could’ve done it.” Sonya explained.

“Who was the girl?”

“Come here.” Sonya said to the air next to her but a few seconds later the girl walked up to the cell and stood by Sonya.

“Brandy Hunter?” Tess said, shocked to see the familiar the blonde. Then she remembered who her father was, she figured with everything happen she just forgot about the connection and they also didn’t share a last name, Brandy preferred her mother’s maiden name, Hunter. “Your father is trying to put me away for life, what the hell is going on here?” she demanded now.

“Can I talk to her alone?” Brandy asked Sonya.

“Yes, I’ll give you a few minutes.” Sonya said then left the two girls alone.

Tess looked at Brandy now, she didn’t see them same girl that made her school life a living hell. She saw someone who had been crying, someone beyond stressed out.

“My father and James were best friends since before I was born. I knew him like an uncle.” Brandy began as it was obvious she was holding back tears. “After I turned sixteen he began to look at me differently, just looks for awhile. I didn’t think anything of it then about a month later he would touch me every chance he could on the hand or brush against my thigh. There was this big party for my parents at the house, he was there. They left after the party, my parents, on a cruise for their anniversary.” She stopped talking and took a deep breathe.

Tess felt so bad for Brandy; everything that happened between them was so childish now that she put it out of her mind. Now it became clear why Tim was offering a deal, he knew what his daughter was doing but even then he believed Tess was guilty enough for twenty years in prison. “You don’t have to say anymore if you don’t want to.” Tess said.

“I have to get this out.” Brandy said with her eyes focused on the floor. “I didn’t say anything when it happened because I knew they wouldn’t believe me and my dad thought he was perfect, could do no wrong. He still believes it because look what he’s doing to you and me. I talked to him and my mother before calling Ms. Donovan, they didn’t believe me, my own parts.” She explained with more pain echoing her words.

“I had no idea.”

Brandy finally looked at Tess. “No one did.” She said with a weak smile. “That night my parents left town and he stayed to watch me and the house while they were gone. He came into my room; I didn’t even realize it until he was at my bed. I couldn’t fight him then and I couldn’t fight him all the times after.”

Tess left the cot and walked up to the gate. “I’m sorry for everything. And I’m sorry for everything I said at school, I didn’t know what you were dealing with.” She knew her words wouldn’t help but she just had to say them.

“And I didn’t know what you were dealing with. But that’s in the past; we can help each other now. You have to tell the court what happened, just like I will.” Brandy explained.

“How do you do it?” Tess wanted to know. “I don’t know how to get up there and tell them. But for you it’s harder, he hurt you worse and even though you’re crying it didn’t seem hard to tell me what happened.”

“I had a lot of time to think about this and I know it’s what I have to do. I told my parents even though they didn’t believe me and Ms. Donovan; it helps with each time I tell it. Maybe it would help if you told me.” Brandy suggested.

“I told my mom and it almost killed me to remember.”

“But you’re mom was in love with him. Me I hated the bastard.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Tess finally said, never thinking she’d ever say those words to Brandy. “When he first moved in he treated me like dirt, he hated the fact my mother had another child that wasn’t his. He use to hit me, always in places the marks wouldn’t show.” She began as her won tears began to show. “The day before I killed him, he kissed me, I ran so scared. When I went back home my mom wasn’t there and he was mad. He tried…he tried….” She slid to the ground against the wall she had been leaning on and pulled her knees to her chest.

“It’s ok Tess.” Brandy said, she bent down in front of the gate and grabbed Tess’ hand.

Tess sighed again as she ran her hand through her now black hair. “He tried to rape me but I couldn’t let him do that to me. I hit him and tried to run but he grabbed me so I kicked him and his head hit the desk and he died. I was happy to know he was gone, what kind of person does that make me?”

“I don’t know but whatever it makes you, it makes me because I tried out of joy when I heard he was gone.” Brandy said.

“I don’t know if anyone will believe me if I get on the stand.” Tess finally told someone.

“I don’t know if they’ll believe me but I’m still going to tell them and everyone until they understand James wasn’t a fucking saint, he was a monster. It’s hard Tess but you have to do this.” Brandy explained as she gripped the other girl’s hand tighter.

“I know…and I’ll try.”

-

Isabelle A.