Taking Connor

I can’t help smiling.

We are pretty disgusting.

And incredibly happy.

I peek out the kitchen window and see Co

He’s happy.

I’m happy.

That’s all that matters.

I try not to think about what might have been, about going to prison, because it’s behind me now. Turns out, Leslie’s testimony was what saved me from prison. The judge had mercy on me.

I was convicted of Voluntary Manslaughter and given ten years of probation and required to perform five hundred hours of community service. My case received news coverage across the country, and many have questioned the judge’s ethics—Jim says he’s going to retire soon anyway. The judge couldn’t care less what people think of his ethics.

My conviction was ten months ago.

I took it and my sentencing gratefully, even though it meant losing my job as a teacher. Being unemployed is scary, but jail is scarier. I know everything will be okay, though, one way or another. I thought about selling the house, not wanting to live across the street from Mrs. Jenson, but she sold her home, extremely cheap as most people don’t want to buy a home where a murder has taken place. So Co

Wendy and I finish up in the kitchen and carry out the last two dishes. It’s just a small barbecue with the people we love most. As I place the bowl of potato salad on the table, Co

Turning my head, I kiss him and whisper back, “Meet me in the house five minutes after we eat.”

He growls and squeezes my hip before quickly sitting to hide his erection. I bend down and kiss his shoulder. “Don’t worry,” I murmur. “I’ll take care of that.”

The meal is fantastic, and everyone seems to feel the same. Not one of the Tuffman children complained, so that’s success in my book. It’s been the perfect, relaxing day. I think we all needed this. Co

After the meal, everyone helps clean up, except Lexi, and a pretty intense volleyball game is happening in the backyard. Co

“You have two minutes to get that sexy ass of yours inside.”

“Yes sir,” I say, with a grin.

“I have to grab something. I’ll be right there.” He takes off for the garage, and I hurry inside hoping to have enough time to check myself in the mirror. I toss the plates in the trash and rush to the bathroom, ru

I walk briskly out of the bathroom and when I reach the back porch I see the backyard is empty. Where did everyone go? My heart starts pounding when I hear someone yelling, but I can’t make out who it is or what they are saying. But whoever they are, or whatever they’re saying, they sound distressed. I rush down the steps, the screen door smacking closed behind me and round the corner of my house, stopping dead in my tracks. Co

Mrs. Jenson is here.

And she’s holding a gun aimed at Co

My heart is in my throat as dread and fear choke me. Please don’t shoot him, is all I can think, Please, God, please don’t let her hurt him.

“We would have been married forty-one years today,” she says through gritted teeth. Then her gaze moves to me. “You!” she shouts as she whips the gun at me. Co

“No, Co

“You ruined my life,” she sobs, balling her free hand up into a fist and biting it in what appears to be an effort to contain her emotion.

“Please put down the gun,” Co

“My husband is dead,” Mrs. Jenson continues, her voice hoarse. “I can’t show my face in this town ever again with the lies you’ve spread about him.”

“Mrs. Jenson,” Co

“Don’t,” I beg.

He turns his head slightly, keeping his gaze fixed on the insane lady pointing a gun at us, and says, “It’s okay, baby. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” I want to scream at him, I’m not worried about me, I’m worried about you, but before I can respond, Dusty rounds the front of the house, creeping quietly so he doesn’t alert Mrs. Jenson he’s sneaking up on her.

Co

“Move out of the way,” Mrs. Jenson orders, wagging the gun to indicate what she wants. “It’s her I’m after.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Co

Dusty is directly behind Mrs. Jenson now, and he gives a nod to Co

It all happens so fast. When Dusty tackles her, it’s a blur of grunts and tattoos, and an old woman crying in pain. Co

She has nothing left to lose, and I . . . I have everything to lose.

Then two shots ring out.

The courtroom is silent. Every once in a while someone coughs or adjusts in their seats causing the old wooden benches to creak. I’ve been on the stand for forty-five minutes now. Mrs. Jenson’s defense attorney is a real dick, but now the prosecutor is up, and he’s digging into me, really making me relive every single moment of that horrific day.