Chapter 23 - Michael's Petition|
Spring brought blooming flowers and an unexpected legal notice from the state court. I found it in the mail and immediately called Melissa Grant, our trusted attorney.
"Michael is filing a petition for early release," Melissa confirmed over the phone, her voice laced with professional disdain. "He has completed his mandatory anger management courses and is citing good behavior."
"He was an accomplice to kidnapping and psychological abuse," I argued, pacing the living room. "He stood by while Evelyn destroyed his family."
"The justice system often rewards compliance in minimum-security facilities," Melissa explained patiently. "However, because Lily was a victim of his actions, she has the right to submit a victim impact statement to the parole board opposing his release."
When Lily came home for the weekend, I sat her down and explained the situation. She listened quietly, her face an unreadable mask.
"He wants to get out early," Lily summarized flatly.
"Yes. Melissa says your statement could carry enough weight to keep him there for the remainder of his sentence. He enabled Evelyn. He deserves to serve his full time."
Lily looked out the window at the budding oak tree in the front yard. She was quiet for a long time.
"I don't care," she finally said.
I blinked, surprised by her apathy. "You don't care if he gets out?"
"Dad, Michael is a coward. He was a terrifying coward when I was a kid, but now? He is just a sad, broken man who ruined his own life because he was too weak to stand up to his mother. Keeping him in prison doesn't make me any safer, because he doesn't have the power to hurt me anymore."
"Are you saying you want him released?"
"I am saying I don't want to spend an ounce of my energy writing a statement about him. I don't want to give him a single day of my time. If the board lets him out, fine. The restraining order is permanent anyway."
She stood up and grabbed her car keys.
May you like
"I am going to get coffee with Chloe. Tell Melissa I decline to submit a statement. Michael is irrelevant to my life."
She walked out the door, leaving me completely stunned, yet incredibly proud of her impenetrable boundaries.
