They were both crying, tears falling from their eyes and streaking down their wrinkled faces.
I stared at them blankly. Vaguely, I heard the judge ask the jury for their final, irrevocable
vote.
The punishment had been made clear from the beginning. If I lost, I would be euthanized. If they lost, they would be imprisoned for life.
The lights at the jury’s seats lit up.
I got 100 votes. It was unanimous. I was declared not guilty.
Despite that, I could not bring myself to feel joy.
My parents sat on the other side of the courtroom. They were on their knees, begging for my forgiveness.
If I forgave them, their lifetime sentence would be much more bearable. They might even be spared punishment altogether.
I did not want to forgive them, just as they hadn’t wanted to let me go before the trial started. They never cared about me or my life.
The guards took my wailing parents away, along with Suzy, whose face was ashen.
I walked out of the courtroom, leaving all the noise behind me.
The first half of my life had been a mire of pain and suffering, devoid of joy or light. Now, I had emerged from it. My parents weren’t worth my sorrow or my sacrifice.
In the past, I’d humiliated myself, desperate for their love. Now, I finally understood. I had to love myself before I could expect love from others.
It was a clear day outside. The sun was shining, and white clouds drifted lazily across the bright blue sky.
From now on, my life would be as radiant and promising as this springtime warmth.
