Cameras clicking, reporters yelling questions, but they’re overtaken by the shouts of people chanting, Justice. Justice. Justice.

I’m soaring inside. The word rattles through my body. Daddy lifts my hands up with his. Then Mr. Jones and Steve take the mic. We drop back, and our security guards escort us away as Innocence X takes more questions, holding court with the media now, so we can escape without anyone following. Mr. Jones has them captivated.

I hold my breath, waiting until Daddy sees our surprise.

He stumbles toward it, speechless. Mama passes me a knowing glance. All my comments over the years, I swallow up because she was right. The look on Daddy’s face to see his old Buick, just like the last day he drove it—it’s priceless.

Daddy’s car is polished clean, parked on the side of the courthouse in a private spot.

Mama hands the keys over to him. He shakes his head. “I haven’t driven in years.”

He hands me the keys. I refuse. So does Jamal.

Seeing Daddy drive us home is just as meaningful to us. Daddy clears his throat as he sits in the driver’s seat and we all pile in, waiting for him to turn the ignition. I can feel he’s nervous that it might not work, that the moment will fall apart. Like everything else.

Daddy waits another minute, then turns the key. The engine revs, then starts purring. Daddy starts out slow, cautious. When we reach the highway toward Crowning Heights, we can see him relax. No longer looking over his shoulder. He lets out a laugh, a great belting laugh as he grips the steering wheel at ten and two, like he’s just learning how to drive again. Corinne is giggling watching him. He looks in the rearview mirror, and our eyes meet. I don’t say anything when I see that Daddy’s laughing, but tears are running down his face.

It’s all real. We can let it out. We’re holding on to each other, windows rolled down, letting the wind whip on us as Daddy drives us home.

For the first time, I allow myself to shut the worrying away. There’re still some uncertainties, for sure, but the most deadly countdown has ended. With justice secured for my father, I’m finally free, too.