Chapter 8 - The Day We Faced Tasha
I didn't want to see Tasha again.
But when the court proceedings began, her name appeared everywhere.
On letters.
On documents.
In conversations Grandma thought I couldn't hear.
The investigators had finished reviewing much of the financial evidence.
Monica told Dad that prosecutors were moving forward with charges.
The case involved money taken from my trust and financial applications submitted using my identity.
Richard Lawson was also facing charges connected to some of the transactions.
Dad explained that the court would decide what happened next.
I nodded.
But I had another question.
"Will Tasha be angry at me?"
Dad knelt beside me.
"She may be upset. But her feelings are not your responsibility."
I looked down.
"She always gets angry when people tell the truth."
Dad's face tightened.
"Then it's time she learned that the truth matters more than her anger."
***
The morning of the first hearing, I stayed with Grandma.
Dad went with Monica.
I didn't have to attend.
I was relieved.
Grandma made waffles.
We watched cartoons.
Then she helped me organize Mom's photographs into an album.
I had chosen a blue cover.
On the front, Grandma wrote:
MOMMY AND ME.
I traced the letters with my fingers.
"Can I keep this forever?"
She smiled.
"Forever."
We placed the photographs in order.
Mom holding me as a newborn.
Mom helping me take my first steps.
Mom laughing at my third birthday.
Mom standing beside Dad at the beach.
Then we found a picture I'd never seen.
Mom was sitting in a hospital bed.
She looked tired.
But she was smiling at me.
I was asleep against her shoulder.
I stared at it.
"Grandma?"
"Yes?"
"Was Mommy scared when she was sick?"
Grandma's eyes filled.
"Sometimes."
I swallowed.
"Did she know she was going to die?"
Grandma took my hand.
"She knew she was very sick. But she never stopped hoping."
I looked at the photograph.
"Was she sad?"
"She was sad about leaving you."
Tears slipped down my cheeks.
Grandma pulled me close.
"But she was never sad that you were her son."
I held the album tightly.
I wanted to remember that.
Forever.
***
Dad came home late that afternoon.
He looked exhausted.
Grandma met him at the door.
"How did it go?"
He sat down.
"Tasha entered a plea of not guilty."
Grandma nodded.
"And Richard?"
"The same."
Dad explained that the case would continue.
The prosecution had presented evidence of unauthorized withdrawals, suspicious transfers, and disputed financial documents.
Tasha's attorney argued that she believed she had authority to use the money for household needs.
Monica disagreed.
The trust documents limited what the funds could be used for.
And the records showed purchases and transfers unrelated to my care.
Grandma shook her head.
"She still won't take responsibility."
Dad looked toward me.
His expression softened.
"We'll let the court handle it."
I nodded.
Then he held out a small paper bag.
"Something for you."
Inside was a packet of colored pencils.
I smiled.
"Thank you!"
He sat beside me.
"Thought we could draw together."
I grinned.
"Can we draw dinosaurs?"
He laughed.
"Absolutely."
For the next hour, we drew terrible dinosaurs.
Dad's looked like a giant chicken.
Mine had six legs.
Grandma said they were both beautiful.
We laughed until our stomachs hurt.
And for a little while, the court case disappeared from my mind.
***
A month later, the case took a turn.
Richard agreed to cooperate with investigators.
He provided records showing that Tasha had discussed using money from my account to help purchase a house.
His messages showed that she had represented the funds as money she controlled.
The records also revealed that she intended to leave Dad after the purchase.
When Dad learned that, he sat quietly for a long time.
I watched him from the doorway.
"Are you sad?"
He looked up.
"A little."
I walked over.
"Because Tasha was going to leave?"
He nodded.
"Because she lied. And because I trusted her."
I sat beside him.
He put his arm around me.
Then he said:
"But the worst part is what happened to you while I wasn't paying attention."
I looked at him.
"Daddy?"
"Yeah?"
"I don't want you to be sad forever."
He smiled through tears.
"I won't be."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
***
As the months passed, the court reviewed additional evidence.
The financial examiner identified transfers that had no legitimate connection to my education, health, or care.
The forged applications were linked to contact information controlled by Tasha.
The court also considered testimony from bank employees and the notary involved in some disputed documents.
Finally, Tasha changed her plea.
She admitted responsibility for taking trust funds and participating in the identity-related fraud.
Dad told Grandma the news.
She closed her eyes.
"Thank God."
I looked up from my homework.
"Does that mean it's over?"
Dad sat beside me.
"Not quite. The court still has to decide the consequences and what money can be returned."
I nodded.
Then I asked:
"Will Jordan and Ava still love me?"
Dad looked surprised.
"Why wouldn't they?"
I swallowed.
"Because their mommy is in trouble."
He took my hand.
"Isaiah, you didn't hurt their mother. You told the truth about what happened."
I nodded slowly.
Then he added:
"And Jordan and Ava know you love them."
I smiled a little.
Because I did.
Even after everything, I loved them.
***
The sentencing hearing was held several weeks later.
I didn't have to attend.
But Dad and Grandma did.
When they returned, Dad sat beside me.
He told me Tasha had received a prison sentence and had been ordered to pay restitution under the court's judgment.
Richard also faced legal consequences for his role.
The court had approved the recovery of assets connected to the missing funds.
Monica would continue working to restore as much of my trust as possible.
I listened quietly.
Then I asked:
"Is Tasha ever coming back to our house?"
Dad shook his head.
"No."
I felt something loosen inside my chest.
The fear I'd carried for so long began to fade.
I looked toward Grandma.
She smiled gently.
"You're safe, sweetheart."
I wanted to believe her.
And this time, I almost did.
Then Dad reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a folded letter.
My name was written across the front.
I stared at it.
"What's that?"
Dad took a breath.
"It's from Tasha."
My stomach tightened.
"Do I have to read it?"
Dad shook his head.
"No, son."
He placed it on the table.
"You get to decide."
I looked at the letter.
For years, Tasha had told me what to do.
What to say.
What I deserved.
May you like
Now, for the first time, the choice was mine.
And I knew exactly what I wanted.
