How Not To by Sawyer Devin

Author:Sawyer, Devin [Sawyer, Devin]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2019-01-17T16:00:00+00:00

My trial comes five weeks later, on a Tuesday. I know Ari has returned to school, but I haven’t seen her since the day outside her house. I hope that the last five weeks have been easier on her than they have for me. I’ve wanted to pick up the phone to call her a million times, but I know in the back of my head it’s got to be her to make the first move. I need her forgiveness and not the other way around.

My dad sits next to me, dressed in the only suit he owns, and it’s a few years too old and a few pounds too small. We review the case with my lawyer one final time before going in to see the judge. My hands begin to perspire, and I wipe them on my slacks not knowing what else to do with them. I wish, more than anything, I was spending the day learning ridiculous astronomy facts, or even working at the garage. My only relief is that after today it could all be over. I’m praying for a fine, and some community service, a probationary period that ends before Ari leaves town, which is unlikely as it’s a mere nine months before that happens. I stand and button my sports coat the way the lawyer had to show me to and we head for the courthouse with Dad driving me.

I stare out the window on the drive and try to pick out things about Layton I hadn’t noticed before. Initially, when we moved here, I hadn’t wanted anything to do with the town and its snobby attitude. The courthouse lays on the edge of town, I can only assume that it’s so the trash of Glennville doesn’t have to be dragged into town for their court decisions. The people of Layton wouldn’t take too kindly to that. I think about how Layton has been trying to redistrict the county for years. It’s a waste of their time really because most of the blue-collar worker roles like the electric coop, or city water, are Glennville residents. Pops pulls my attention away from this thought when I hear him clear his throat.

“I just wanted to tell you, that nothing about this makes me embarrassed of you.” His voice is thick with warmth and I’m grateful for the comfort he’s attempting to share with me.

“You made a bad decision, Torren, but you’re not a bad kid. You work hard, you’re smart, and you’re loyal to a fucking fault.” I stare at my hands in my lap, feeling like a failure even though I know he’s trying to express the exact opposite to me.

“Don’t think I don’t know about the role Jeff played in those drugs. I think it’s honorable that you aren’t a nark, but someday, son, you’re going to have to learn to set boundaries. Learn not to encourage bad decisions just because you want to support the person.”

“He deserves it,” I say. “He’s always been there for me.

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