Chapter 16 - HELENA’S SENTENCE
Helena’s sentencing took place two months later.
Her cooperation reduced the potential punishment.
But the judge refused to ignore what she had done to Leo.
Before sentencing, Helena asked permission to address Carmine.
Carmine nearly declined.
Then he agreed for one reason.
Closure.
They met in a secure room.
Helena wore plain gray clothing.
Her hair was tied back.
Without luxury surrounding her, she looked almost unfamiliar.
Carmine sat across from her.
“You have five minutes.”
Helena nodded.
“I know you hate me.”
Carmine said nothing.
“I deserve that.”
Still nothing.
Helena looked at her hands.
“I kept telling myself Leo was only part of the plan.”
Carmine’s eyes hardened.
“That sentence is supposed to help?”
“No.”
“I’m trying to explain how I became someone who could do that.”
“I don’t care how.”
Helena flinched.
Carmine continued.
“Leo may ask someday.”
“If he does, I will tell him the truth.”
“You chose money.”
“You chose fear.”
“You chose yourself.”
Helena’s eyes filled with tears.
“Yes.”
Carmine stood.
She suddenly spoke.
“Does he remember me?”
Carmine stopped.
“He remembers the garage.”
Helena closed her eyes.
“He remembers being hungry.”
“He remembers hiding bread.”
“He remembers asking permission to use the bathroom.”
Helena began crying.
Carmine did not soften.
But he also did not enjoy it.
That surprised him.
Years earlier, he would have wanted her suffering.
Now he only wanted distance.
Helena whispered.
“Tell him I’m sorry.”
Carmine looked at her.
“No.”
She stared up.
“If he ever asks whether you regretted it, I’ll tell him you said you did.”
“But I will not give a three-year-old the responsibility of carrying your apology.”
Helena lowered her head.
Carmine walked out.
The judge later sentenced Helena to prison.
She would not be part of Leo’s childhood again.
Carmine drove home.
Leo was in the backyard with Dr. Russo and Marco.
He had a small red bicycle with training wheels.
Carmine stopped walking.
“Where did that come from?”
Marco smiled.
“Birthday gift.”
“His birthday is next week.”
“Early gift.”
Leo shouted.
“Daddy!”
He started pedaling.
The bicycle wobbled.
Carmine instinctively moved forward.
Marco caught his arm.
“Let him.”
Carmine watched.
Leo nearly tipped.
Then corrected himself.
He laughed.
Carmine realized how difficult it had become not to protect him from every possible fall.
But safety did not mean preventing life.
It meant being there when life happened.
Leo reached him.
“I did it.”
Carmine smiled.
May you like
“Yes.”
“You did.”
