Chapter 14: The Hearing
Teresa’s sentencing hearing was brief and public in the way small tragedies are public.
I attended because Rachel said presence mattered for the record. Amy stayed home with Frederick by choice. Teresa spoke about sacrifice and ungrateful children. The judge spoke about documents and a shoved officer and the difference between help and control. I did not make eye contact when Teresa turned. I was not there for a reunion. I was there so no one could claim the son had abandoned the process.
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Outside, a reporter asked for a quote. I said, “My family’s focus is our child and our home.” Rachel nodded. We left.
Mark—no, this story’s Mark was a coworker—bought me a coffee and said nothing useful, which was useful. I drank the coffee. I went to a site. I came home by six.
