35. Gemma
Chapter Thirty-Five
GEMMA
Four months later - Autumn
“How did I do?” I asked, exhausted relief coursing through me, a balm on my rattled nerves.
“Incredible,” the DA said firmly.
His palms landed on my shoulders, his touch strong and reassuring. He guided me out of the courtroom, where my parents and my brother were waiting. My brother dipped his head. “You handled that really well. I know it wasn’t easy.”
I stood still for a moment, feeling the wired stress unwind and ping through my body. I actually felt okay. Telling the truth had been much easier than I anticipated.
“How do you think it’s going?” I asked my brother after hugs from both of my parents.
“I think it’s going well. The DA told me they waited to file charges until they had a solid case. They definitely have a strong case. With as many witnesses that have come forward, I predict he might change course and accept a plea deal. The mistake he made was not doing that sooner because I don’t think the DA is going to do anything but play hardball with him at this point.”
I still couldn’t believe the specter that had haunted me ever since high school was finally banished. The power of sunshine cast on dark secrets was strong stuff. It was also amazing to realize I’d never been alone. Some of the old wounds and friendships torn apart in the aftermath of what happened to my high school softball team had actually been healed. We couldn’t go back and do it all over, but we could share in the relief of the truth coming to light and actual consequences following.