Chapter 12 - The Last Explosion
Richard's final sentencing hearing reopened every wound.
Diane attended.
Brendan attended.
I attended.
Afterward, one of Richard’s former associates, Calvin Ross, confronted Brendan outside the courthouse.
“You sold your father out.”
Brendan ignored him.
Calvin shoved him from behind.
Brendan turned.
“Walk away.”
Calvin punched him.
Brendan staggered, then tackled Calvin against a parked car.
The two men struggled violently, fists striking shoulders and ribs as bystanders screamed.
I froze.
For one horrifying second, I saw the old Brendan.
Then he changed.
He had an opening to punch Calvin again.
He didn't.
He stepped backward.
“I'm done.”
Calvin charged.
Court security intercepted him.
Brendan stood breathing heavily, blood at the corner of his mouth.
I approached.
“You stopped.”
He looked at me.
“I've spent enough of my life believing strength means hurting someone back.”
That sentence stayed with me.
Richard received a sentence that ensured he would spend much of the remainder of his life incarcerated.
As deputies led him away, he looked at me.
“Your father wasn't better than me.”
I stood.
“Yes, he was.”
Richard laughed bitterly.
“How do you know?”
“Because when he had power, people around him became stronger.”
I looked directly at him.
“When you had power, people around you became afraid.”
Richard's smile disappeared.
“That is the difference.”
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He was taken away.
For the first time in years, my father's death felt like something that belonged to the past rather than something still happening.
