Chapter seventy four
Lowering my gaze, I used a few moments to ponder on the most suitable, least implicating answer. When I understood my time was limited, I responded. "I believe they see something in me that I don't."
A few heads belonging to the judges nodded to show they'd understood me. Another round of giraffing and flipping through files began; followed by yet another round of murmurs; and all I could do was gawk as my heart raced.
A man spoke up this time. His name tag read Attorney Charles Hillary. "As shocking as it is, the people do not consider you a threat to them. It also appears to me you've touched the hundreds of lives of the kids at St Margaret's orphanage. They too want you released. Keeping you convicted is going to be the highest form of disrespect to democracy that we are going to practice."
Even before I could register the hope in his words, Attorney Tiffany picked up from where he'd left off. "That way, we've decided to release you on the basis of community request."
It felt as though a physical ton of load was lifted up my shoulders. Weakly, I gawked at them, the words replaying again and again in my mind.
Perhaps it was because her words sounded too good to be true and went against anything I'd made myself to expect.
Gripping the bar that topped the witness box, I cocked both my brows and looked at them. "I…I'm sorry, I'm not sure I heard you…"
"We've decided to lift your sentence, Jeffery Thompson," a blonde judge said this time. There was a hint of a smile on her face that was supposed to assure me that everything was pretty much real.
Shutting my eyes with my head low, I sucked in much needed breaths to calm my nervous heart and still my nerves. I was being freed!
"Thank you so much," I stuttered almost quietly after having looked back at them. Even when tears threatened to blur my vision, I went on to repeat the words over and over.
Although almost reluctantly, they nodded.
However, it did seen Attorney Tiffany had something to add. "You'll, however, be charged 30% of your annual earning for 10 years. This will be projected into community service; hospitals, scholarships and general charity. Do we have an agreement?"
I took a few seconds to think about it with a little frown. 30% for ten years sounded like a significant stab to my finances; but as far as the use was concerned, I found it worth it. "Yes, ma'am. I agree." I sighed with fake enthusiasm.
Their facial expressions appeared pleased, barely obvious, but pleases enough. Soon, they busied themselves stacking their files up and muttering once again.
"Release him, Mr Cyrus," Charles Hillary said, his voice accentuated with an Irish flair.
As Cyrus came upon the witness box, he flung his massive bunch of keys in one hand, another holding my cuffed wrists in place.
There was nostalgia on his expression while he stared at me. His face spoke of words not needed to be said, mainly of pride and joy. As he unlocked the cuffs around my hands and set me free, I could now I'd never been that refreshed.
***
There was little to take with me honestly. Asides Joey's Bible and a little picture of Noah and I when we were kids, there was nothing more I'd taken with me to jail. And so, packing did not take more than two minutes.
"As much as a selfish part of me wants you to stay, you deserve more, Jeffery," Alf said to me. He was seated on the lower bunk, his knees arched as he watched me go on. When I paused to glance towards him, he had a peaceful smile on his face and traces of moisture in his eyes. "I'll miss you bro, but you deserve much more."
That was the point I admitted I was going to miss them all as well. It took a whole lot to keep myself together and control my emotion, so I nodded and extended a hand for one last roomie handshake.
Alf shook his head with a snicker, alighting from the lower bed so that he stood right before me. Almost without warning, he enveloped me into a soul crushing embrace. For someone who spent more time meditating than speaking to me, he seemed really glad he had me around. Strangely, that feeling was mutual.
"You've got five years left, right," I laughed huskily while speaking with lacking breaths due to the bear hug. "Don't get yourself killed and you're guaranteed a job and a whole new life when you're out."
He'd released me soon after that and just grinned boyishly." We'll watch your games down here from prison, rooting for you all the way, Jeff. Just don't forget your boys!"
" Oh, I won't," and I meant it with everything in me.
Several moments later, I stalked side by side with Deputy Bones who had a nostalgic smile all the way. A couple years back, he'd wanted me locked up behind bars, gritting my teeth and being paid every penny I deserved for the deeds I'd done. Presently, he exhibited the exact contrast of that; not because time had made my offenses any more forgiveable in his eyes, neither was it because I'd corrected my mistake.
It was, I believe, because just like the rest of those supporting me, he looked deeper into me past my mistakes and found something admirable. I won't lie…I was yet to find that too.
But then, they were happy. And consequently, I taught myself to drink in their joy.
"Hey, Jeffery!" Myers shrieked from cell 101. "Bring goodies for us sometime!"
"I liked what you did to Oscar Lee on that ring…"
"Save a space for me in your gym…"
The remarks kept coming from all around me, mixed with thuds and bangs upon the iron doors. They were happy, I reminded myself, and that was what mattered most. Especially my father.
I'd paused a while when I reached his cell to drop a goodbye and a promise to visit. He'd smiled, prayed for me and in turn, promised to join me as soon as he was out.
A sad smile played upon my face as I resumed the walk out. Blinking to keep the tears in, I made a mental note to bless a fraction of the inmates I could as soon as I was out. That was an oath.
It had taken another while longer before the jubilation and yells from the inmates died off behind me as I walked farther.
"Look, son," the Deputy Sheriff had finally found his chance to speak without interruption. "The main point of punishment is not to correct the mistake; that can't be done, infact. The point is to breed repentance in the heart of the prisoner. A period away from the rest of the world, in solace with your own thoughts, a man is able to reconcile with morality once again. As you go beyond these walls, there is no assurance you're free from the guilt of the lives you claimed. However, there's one thing you can do."
He paused to glance ahead. Noah, Simon, Joey and Emily were some distance away, nostalgic eyes on me while I approached them. Cringing his eyes, he went on. "Do well to make sure you spend the rest of your life putting smiles on the faces of many. The joy that come with that might go a long way to help with your guilt, Jeff. And seek, above all, the most important source of solace."
At his words, I stared from Noah to the worlds above me, the sky barely white. I believed I was already on that journey to find true solace.
***