Mark Lawry was a lot smaller than Owen remembered. Or maybe Owen was just a lot bigger. Either way, the startling realization that he was now substantially taller and broader than his father provided a measure of calm that he hadn’t expected to feel the first time he laid eyes on him again. The mean sneer was exactly as he recalled it, though, and was directed at him and his mother as they took seats in the courtroom.

He kept telling himself that his father couldn’t touch him—in any way—unless he let him, and he had no plans to let him.

Owen wasn’t at all surprised to see his father in full uniform, as if he wanted to remind the judge of who he was and how honorably he’d served his country. The judge would be hearing and deciding the case, as Mark had waived his right to a jury trial, putting all his eggs in the judge’s basket.

Over breakfast, Dan had shown them the in-depth Associated Press story the Richmond Times-Dispatch had run that morning about the decorated air force general who would stand trial for domestic assault and battery. Dan had pointed out that because an Associated Press reporter had written the story, it would be picked up all over the state and possibly beyond. Any time a high-ranking military officer got into trouble of any sort, it was big news.

Owen pondered his father’s likely reaction to the press coverage the trial was generating. He would be enraged and looking to blame everyone but himself for the mess he found himself in. Once upon a time, Owen, his mother and siblings would’ve paid the price for that.

His mother reached for his hand and held on tight, while Laura held his other hand. They held on through opening statements that detailed the charges against his father.

“You will hear from Mark Lawry’s oldest child, who will tell you about a childhood marred by abuse and violence,” Tom said. “The defense will portray Mark Lawry as an all-American hero, but Sarah and Owen Lawry will tell a different story. They’ll tell you about a man who beat his wife nearly to death over undercooked chicken. You’ll hear about a man who once broke his young son’s arm in a fit of rage and then later had that same son arrested for assault when he dared to defend himself against his father’s fists. They’ll tell the truth as they lived it. Mark Lawry is a violent, vicious predator who belongs in jail, Your Honor. To allow him to walk free, wearing the uniform of the United States Air Force, is a travesty to everyone who has or is serving our country honorably.”