The Nature of Things

Chapter 27

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Brian slammed the door behind him, leaving Michael lying on the porch bleeding. He walked slowly to the kitchen, poured himself a double Beam, went back to the front door and opened it.

"What the fuck are you still doing lying there?"

Michael looked up into dark stormy eyes and took a deep breath before speaking. "I guess Justin remembered and told you."

"So it's true? You fucked my Justin?"

"Not on purpose. I was drugged, I didn't know what I was doing."

Brian shook his head and laughed, "Likely fucking story. Get off my fucking

porch."

"Brian, I swear, I didn't know what I was doing. I didn't know it was Justin."

"You were always jealous of him. You were always running around saying how he wasn't good enough for me, when in reality I'm not good enough for him. I thought that this stupid fucking jealousy shit was over when you married Ben. You are a worthless piece of shit, Mikey. Go home."

Brian closed the door, leaned back against it and closed his eyes against the tears.

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Molly sat in Cynthia's living room going over what she wanted to say to the judge. She didn't want them to slap Casey on the wrist and let him go, but she was starting to get really worried that what she said wouldn't carry much weight in court.

"Molly, take a break."

"Did you have to do this Cynthia? Did they make you justify why the bastard should spend the maximum amount of time in the slammer?"

"No, I never did, but I'm not you. Your situation is different from anyone else's. You have to do what is right for you. If you can't do it, no one is going to look down on you. You did great up there on the stand. You told the truth and it got him convicted. That's all that matters now."

"I know you're right, but it doesn't feel any different. I'm still scared out my mind to be alone. I still wake up in the middle of the night terrified. And on top of it all I have a baby growing inside of me."

"That's normal too, Molly. You just have to let yourself feel it. As for the baby, you have a little time there. Have you thought more about the open adoption?"

"Actually, I was thinking of asking Brian and Justin to raise the baby."

"Together?"

"Well that's the plan. I thought maybe if they were raising a child, then they could find their way back to one another."

Cynthia shook her head, "Oh, Molly, it's a good thought, but I'm not sure it will work. Brian's stubborn, and Justin is emotional. You can't give them a baby and hope that they will have this storybook life together. They have to want to be together."

"But they do. Justin loves him so much and Brian, well, even though he's an asshole at times, he loves my brother. They belong together."

"Just because people love each other, doesn't mean they always end up together. I've watched them do this dance for years. Before Justin came along Brian was so lonely and empty. He opened up to Justin and let him in, not that he had any choice. That brother of yours is persistent. But, Molly, it nearly killed Brian when Justin left him. I didn't think he'd ever get over it."

"But, he did, Cyn. He forgave Justin and they got back together."

"And then Justin left again."

"But they're together now. I heard them the other day, together."

"You have a lot to learn Molly. Just because they are having sex, doesn't mean they are together. Sex is, well it's just sex sometimes. Especially between two men, honey."

"But I know that they love each other, and that is what will bring them back together."

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Justin wandered around the park, trying to figure out what the hell was reality and what was just a nightmare. Finally he sat down on the bench in front of the duck pond and closed his eyes.

"Justin, can we talk?"

Justin opened his eyes, sighed heavily and answered. "No, Michael, I don't think so."

"Well then listen, because I have something to say. I'm sorry for whatever happened. But just for the record Casey drugged me too. I never meant to hurt you and I'm really sorry that I did."

"I'm not going to forgive you, Michael. What you did is unforgiveable."

"I know, I'm not asking you to. I just wanted the chance to say I'm sorry. I told Brian."

"Good, because he didn't believe me."

"He punched me and threw me out. I lost the only friend that ever meant anything to me, because I hurt the one person he ever loved. And I deserved it."

"He'll always love you, Mikey. Sooner or later, he'll forgive you."

Michael smiled sadly and left Justin sitting there staring out at the water.

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One week later Justin stood in Brian's kitchen for the first time since the night he told him about Michael. The tension was thick and both men were trying to be cautious of Molly's feelings. When she came down for breakfast, dressed for court, Brian excused himself and went upstairs to call the office.

Justin poured his sister a cup of coffee and sat down next to her at the table as she tried to eat a bagel. After a few nibbles Molly gave up and pushed the plate away.

"You have to eat Molly."

"Don't start Justin," she snapped. "I'm sorry, it's just, I'm nervous. I'm not sure I can do this."

"You can. You just have to be strong for a little while longer, Molly. After today it's all over. He can't hurt you anymore."

"It's not over today. He's still suing me for custody of the baby."

"Molly, he's going to jail for rape. No judge in their right mind will give him custody of a baby. Everything will work out the way it's supposed to. I promise. Let's just get through today and then we will take it one day at time."

"Okay."

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Two hours later Molly stood before the judge and tried to stay calm as she spoke. Her tears flowed freely as she explained why Casey should be given the maximum sentence.

"I was still a young girl a few months ago. I was still carefree and thought that nothing could ever happen to me. I was preparing to go to college and start my life. Now, I'm scared to close my eyes at night. I'm too frightened to go out alone. I'm no longer that innocent girl looking at the world through rose colored glasses. Casey Adams took that from me. He took my innocence, my bravery, my confidence because he could. Casey Adams is evil and he should have to spend the rest of his life feeling the way I feel every single time I look in the mirror."

Molly took a deep breath and tried to calm her tears before continuing.

"But he won't. He will get to live his life without fear while I live mine looking over my shoulder. No one can give me back what he stole from me. I've been forced to grow up and make life altering decisions, and he gets to lie around in jail. My punishment lasts a lifetime. I ask that you give him the maximum penalty possible so that he doesn't have the chance to ruin someone else's life."

Molly folded her paper up and took her seat. Casey stood when the judge asked and was given the chance to plead his case for leniency.

"I didn't do anything she didn't want me to do. She wants me in jail so that I don't have a chance to get to know my child."

Without another word he sat down and awaited his fate. The judge recessed for lunch and the gang gathered at a local sandwich shop. Within an hour the sentence would be handed down and Molly kept a close eye on the time. With ten minutes to spare they were all back in the front row awaiting the judge.

"Casey James Adams, you have been found guilty and sentencing has been decided. On the count of rape you will be sentenced to the maximum penalty of ten years. On the count of aggravated indecent assault you will be sentenced to the maximum penalty of ten years. On the count of assault and battery you will be sentenced to the maximum penalty of ten years."

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