Her excitement tapers, and she busies herself by opening a string cheese and handing it to me. She pats me on the shoulder and smiles. Instead of peeling it, I just take a bite out of the end. “It’s a tell-all. It’s huge, Mom. He’s talking seven figures and a movie deal.”

“Oh, honey. That’s amazing. I’m proud of you. Your father would be proud too.” Mom gives me a tight hug.

I’m not sure that’s true, given my circumstances. “What have you been up to?”

“Running errands. I went and talked to a few lawyers as well.”

“Why?” I raise an eyebrow.

“To make sure you have the best possible defense, and as it turns out, every lawyer I spoke to agreed Sarah was more than qualified. Not sure I believe that. Probably just has to do with all the ‘female empowerment’ hype these days,” she snarks.

“Mom. Stop.”

“I’m surprised though. I thought lawyers were money-hungry ambulance chasers. Not one of them was even interested in taking your case. Something about it being a lost cause… but that’s just because they don’t know my son.” She pinches my cheek affectionately.

“That’s reassuring,” I say sarcastically.

“I know you’re innocent, cubbie-bear, and innocent people don’t go to prison.” She finishes putting away the groceries.

“That’s not true at all. There’s literally a nonprofit organization that helps exonerate wrongly convicted people.”

“Regardless, you’re not going to jail so you won’t have to worry about that. I’ll make sure Sarah gets this whole thing over with as soon as possible.” She opens a pack of Gushers and hands it to me. “Now, I just came over to drop off some groceries before I leave town. I have a commitment I couldn’t get out of, but I will be back tomorrow.”

She kisses me on the cheek and leaves the house. I pop one of the candies in my mouth and bite down. The juice oozes out and arouses all my taste buds to a tart, sweet taste. Just how I remembered it as a kid. I toss the rest in my mouth, walk back into the living room, and pick up the list of phone numbers. I have to get through these numbers. Innocent people do go to prison, and I won’t be one of them. I pick up the phone and begin dialing.

37. Sarah Morgan

37

Sarah Morgan

It’s about an hour later when Sheriff Stevens comes down to get me. His demeanor seems a bit more closed off, but when he speaks, he’s kind. It’s as if he is fighting a battle with himself about how exactly he should behave around me, how he should treat me, how he wants me to view him.