Chapter 38

“Now that’s not entirely horrible,” John said, reading the card Sarah brought in from the mailbox earlier that day.

In just a few weeks, he’ll go to trial,

Until that time, it’s hard to smile,

I see your light on very late,

You aren’t feeling entirely great,

But I wanted you to hear straight from me,

That this’ll work out—just wait and see.

“Not entirely,” she responded with a weak smile. “But mostly …”

“It rhymes rather well,” John said, looking for the positive.

“True.”

“And it’s encouraging.”

“Also true.”

“And it made you smile …”

“Even that’s true, John. I guess you’re right. This is not entirely horrible!”

“And your friend loves him. Or as you put it, ‘she’s smitten.’ ”

“She’s smitten, for sure. I just hope she manages to get to know him better before she does anything permanent.”

“Nothing is really permanent anymore,” John responded, looking disheartened.

Turning her attention to him, she asked, “What’s going on, John?”

“It’s my brother, David. I called him and tried to convince him to come for the trial. He’s just so angry. Not just with Dad but with life in general. He’s angry with me now for staying so long, but I told him I’m sticking with Dad throughout this. David and I’ve never had much of a relationship, but I think this pretty well finishes it off. He told me not to call again.”

“I’m sorry, John,” Sarah responded sympathetically. “Do you think you should go home?”

“Absolutely not! I’m here for you and Dad, and it feels right. My wife understands completely.”

“Donna’s been really good about you being here so long. I’m eager to meet her.”

“You will. You and Dad are visiting us for the holidays!”

Positive thinking, Sarah pondered. Picture it the way you want it to be.

* * * * *

It was finally visiting day again. Sarah dressed carefully and put on makeup in an attempt to hide the fact that she hadn’t been sleeping. Graham had called and said the trial date had been set for 9:00 on Monday morning, just a little over two weeks away. They were all tense in anticipation. Sarah couldn’t imagine what this was like for Charles.

When they brought him into their visiting room, he was smiling, but it wasn’t the smile he had before this ordeal. That smile came from his soul, and this one seemed to be forced, almost not belonging to him.

“Charles,” she said, reaching out her hands across the table even before he sat down. He took both her hands and leaned over to kiss her gently on the lips. “I love you,” she said just as gently.

“I love you, too,” he responded, but it wasn’t the voice she was accustomed to. “I’m sorry to be putting you through all this, my love,” he added softly. “So sorry.” He dropped his head and stared down at the table. “I’ll bet you wish you never …”

“Charles, please! Don’t even say it! We’ve got to stay positive and hopeful. You are going to beat this thing. You didn’t do anything wrong, and they’ll realize that once we get to court. Have you decided whether to testify?”

“No decision to make. Of course I will. I have nothing to hide, and I want my side out there.”

“They’ll ask about the towel.”

“And Graham will object. It wasn’t Max’s blood, and I know nothing about a bloody towel.”

“They’ll ask about the fingerprints.”

“I know, and I’ll tell them exactly what happened. I was helping my friend, Larry. They’re going to call Larry, too, and he’ll tell them as well.”

“Donald’s prints are on the wrench, too,” Sarah offered. “Will he be on the stand?”

“Donald’s a good guy. He used the wrench every day. Graham wants to insinuate that he had something to do with the murder. I’ve objected to that. He’s just a kid.”

“Charles, don’t fight Graham. Let him do whatever he feels he should to get you back home.”

“I know,” he said, again dropping his head.

Attempting to raise her husband’s spirits, Sarah told him about her visit with Sophie to see the house. She saw him lighten up when she told him about all the progress.

“Have they painted inside?”

“I think that’s probably next. They have blue tape on the windows.”

“And the appliances?”

“They’re all in and just what we ordered. We’re going to love our new home,” she added with a confident smile.

He gave her a patient smile and simply said, “My wife. Always positive. Always with that half-full glass.” Mine’s not half-empty, he thought, but didn’t say it. There’s hardly a drop left in it.