Abby flinched but Lily kept going.
“I missed prom and graduation. I missed so many things everyone here would take for granted. Sunrises and sunsets. Eight birthdays I had to endure without my best friend, without my twin sister, Abby. A lifetime of moments and celebrations and experiences I can never get back. I thought about coming here and telling you all the things Rick Hanson did to me, physically and emotionally. But I realized that’s what he wants. He would want to relive that pain and suffering that he inflicted on me. What I’m here to say today is that I don’t care about Rick Hanson. He’s nothing to me. He’s nobody. And it’s funny, because that’s what he tried to make me into—a nobody. And he failed. I am glad the courts have chosen to give him the harshest of punishments for what he did to me and to my daughter and to my family, but it won’t matter. Because Rick Hanson is a man without a conscience. For those of us he hurt, for myself and for Shaina and Bree, and all of our families, the only thing we can take comfort in is that he cannot hurt us anymore. Do you hear that, Rick? You can never hurt us again.”
Mr. Hanson’s face remained impassive as Lily sat down. Abby was so proud. She leaned in so only Lily could hear her. “You are the shit.”
Lily smiled, tears welling in her eyes, but she didn’t cry. Abby knew she wouldn’t cry. Not here. Not in front of him. Lily just sat there so strong and courageous. Go fuck yourself, Mr. Hanson, Abby thought as she hugged Lily close. Go fuck yourself.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
RICK
Mr. Hanson, would you care to address the court?” The owl-faced judge stared back at Rick, her disdain for him on full display. He gazed around the packed courtroom, taking in all these people who’d gathered here because of him. He saw his mother, her tear-stained face studying him. He’d told her not to come but he knew she wouldn’t listen.
“You’re my boy. I’ll be there for you ’til the end.”
He felt sorry for her, for not realizing who he was, or refusing to accept it.
Then there was Missy. Talk about a disaster. She looked as if she never left the house: so pale and gaunt, her roots showing, her clothing hanging off her. It was unfortunate but not surprising.
But it was Lily, his Lily that he couldn’t stop watching. Her hair was ridiculous. Why the hell would anyone want to be a redhead? It just didn’t make sense. But despite that, she still took his breath away. At least until she opened her mouth. Then he wanted to punish her. He wanted to tell her to stop lying. Why didn’t she mention any of the good times they’d shared? What about all the things he’d done for her? The outstanding education he’d provided for her, the books he lavished upon her and Sky. What about Sky? Lily couldn’t deny that he was a great father. He’d allowed her to raise their child together and yet she said nothing about it. Nothing at all.
When he woke up this morning, a part of him hoped that Lily would come to her senses and realize that she’d loved him too. That their life was something special no one would ever understand. But she was a lost cause.
He was lucky he’d found Angela. She was really going to come through. She had slipped him a note before he was transported, and everything was on schedule. Her shithead cousin was at the rendezvous spot, she’d left her kid with her mother, and she had clothes and toiletries for him. She’d wanted to come to court but he worried that she might draw attention. He told her just to stick with the plan and they’d be together soon.
Rick had spent the morning ignoring the guards’ taunts, warning him about all the new “boyfriends” he’d have in prison, warning him that he’d be lucky to survive a week. Rick had ignored them, dressed in the suit and tie his mother had delivered. Knowing these guards were confined to this hellish existence while he was about to bust out of this place was the best revenge.
Now it was his turn to speak. His moment in the spotlight. He knew that he’d be analyzed, that morning talk shows would dissect every mannerism and nuance in his behavior. At least that’s what he hoped. Rick stood, bowed his head, and did his best to project contrite remorse.