Page 27 of Kaya's King
“Just give her the option, babe. She knows what she’s capable of doing.”
“Okay, that sounds like a good plan to me,” I acknowledge.
I’m anxious on Patsy’s behalf. She’s still on maternity leave but it’s not like she can just blow off the trial. I know her own anxiety is through the roof because several times this past week, she’s had panic induced episodes where I’ve seen her dog, Ridley, working to calm her down.
“What do you say we stop for dinner now, then drive straight back instead of getting a hotel for the night?” Specks suddenly asks. “I don’t want to run late in the morning.”
“Yeah, we probably should since you’re able to drive like a machine,” I tease. “Are all of our road trips going to be like this?” I’m used to taking my time, and stop frequently to stretch, although that’s more for Noah’s benefit than mine.
His laughter fills the car as he shakes his head. “This trip was different, Kaya. I promise, the next time we’ll stop at every single place your heart desires.” He sees the restaurant we planned to eat at and maneuvers my car toward the exit. “Now, let’s go get some chicken nuggets and chocolate milk for our boy.”
“I like the way you think.”
He winks at me then says, “Just wait until you see the plans I have for us later on tonight.”
“I can’t wait.” And, I can’t. Thinking about what he’s alluding to already has me wishing the time away.
Specks
I look around the courtroom, my gaze finally pinned on Patsy, with Ridley at her side, sitting at the prosecution table. She’s been steadfastly ignoring the prick who assaulted her, although he’s attempted several times to catch her attention. Atlas, her old man, is sitting directly behind her, his own dog on high alert. The rest of my brothers and their old ladies, as well as myself and Kaya, are surrounding him to give him the emotional support he needs. It’s been a rough few days, that’s for sure, as jurors were seated then the actual facts of the case were given. If he’s convicted, Ralph faces between five and twenty years for the rape and assault of Patsy. I’m praying he gets the maximum allotted sentence, but I’m not on the jury panel and my wish isn’t admissible so there’s that factor to consider.
The prosecution has already presented their case, and even though I could tell she was scared to death, Patsy’s testimony of the events was clear and concise even though the defense attorney tried to trip her up on multiple occasions. She never wavered in her account of the event, and I was impressed as fuck that despite the shakiness of her voice, she very matter-of-factly answered the questions fired at her.
Ralph’s defense was minimal at best; he had a few character witnesses; however, I personally feel they hurt his case far more than they helped him. Now, we’re waiting on the jury to return with a verdict and hopefully he’ll be sentenced today instead of us having to come back. I’m not sure Patsy could handle much more of having to come face-to-face with the motherfucker.
“All rise,” the bailiff intones as the judge returns from his chambers. “Remain standing,” he cautions as the jury room dooropens and the twelve jurors file into the courtroom and take their designated chairs. “You may be seated.”
Kaya clutches my hand in hers and I see the other old ladies doing the same when the judge glances at the defendant and states, “Will the defendant rise?” Ralphie boy does so, not looking nearly as smug as he did when all of this started. I can see both Patsy and Atlas taking a deep breath and notice both of their dogs are now at attention, observing while watching their masters' reactions and waiting to see if their services will be needed.
The judge turns his gaze on the jury and asks, “Madam Forewoman, has the jury reached a verdict?”
A woman who appears to be about the same age as Patsy stands and replies, “We have, Your Honor.”
“And what say you?” the judge queries.
“We, the jury, find the defendant, Ralph Donofrio, guilty as charged.” The bailiff takes the slip of paper from the forewoman and hands it to the judge who reads it over and nods with satisfaction.
“Typically, a date for sentencing would be set and we would reconvene for it in a month or so,” the judge states. “However, this trial has had multiple delays and it’s within my rights as presiding judge to pass sentence today if I choose to do so, and I do. Ralph Donofrio,I hereby sentence you to a total of forty years without the possibility of parole for the rape and the assault of Patsy Crandall. You’ll be remanded to Ware State Prison to serve out your sentence.” He slams his gavel down and says, “Court is adjourned.”
The bailiff stands and calls out, “All rise.” We patiently watch as the judge leaves the courtroom before breaking out into cheers.
I can tell both Patsy and Atlas are relieved by the ruling. Hopefully, if he survives his time in prison, he’ll be too fucking old to harm another woman after he’s released. We remain standing as the bailiff comes over, cuffs Ralph, and leads him away. Once he’s gone, Patsy’s attorney turns and shakes her hand and I see him whisper something to her, causing her to nod. As she turns to meet Atlas who is already waiting in the aisle, I can see the relief etched in her smile.
“Let’s go, we’ve got something to celebrate,” Poseidon decrees.
“Okay, everyone, shush,” Granny calls out.
We’re all in the common room to watch the premier of the health segment that Noah and Kaya were interviewed for last week. I’m so fucking proud of both of them as we watch how they fluidly explain Perthes Disease to the general public. Noah is cute as hell as he tells the interviewer about his schedule, how he’s currently homeschooled because he’s in a wheelchair right now, but he’s glad because he gets the chance to swim every single day. Kaya describes how she knew something wasn’t right and that once Noah’s old doctor figured out what was going on, she relocated across the country in order for Noah to see Dr. Young.
“I think that calls for some cake!” CeeCee exclaims.
“We had cake after the trial was done,” Loki tells her.
“Uh, it’scake,”she and the other old ladies state in unison. “There’s always room for cake, and we’ve got so much to be thankful for, don’t y’all think? One healthy baby so far, a satisfactory ending to Patsy’s ordeal, and now, we have to celebrate that Noah and Kaya told the world about something a lot of people have never heard of!”
By now, everyone’s laughing their asses off because she got quite theatrical as she expounded on the reasons for eating cake. At the rate I’m going, with the women cooking awesome meals so often, I’m going to need to crack down on my workout program. I’ve got to keep my stamina and strength up so I can properly woo my old lady every single night.
“Oh, we’ve got cake,” Momma M says. “Y’all come into the kitchen and see what Mary and Hayley created.”