Simply Complicated (44 page)

While she was talking to the prosecutor, a familiar face walked past her. She couldn’t believe it; it was Ted. She had not seen nor spoken with him since this entire ordeal occurred. She wanted to go over and talk with him but didn’t think it was wise.

She had no idea that his wife was involved with Donald. She assumed he was in court representing one of his clients. He did not notice her standing there as he made his way into the courtroom.

After the prosecutor finished talking with her she joined her family and told them what he said so they would not be surprised during the allocution.

After twenty minutes had passed, they were called into the courtroom. She was surprised to see so many people, many of whom she did not know. There were a few cases before Lynn’s. As she listened to the other cases she grew more nervous.

Finally, their case was called. When Lynn walked into the courtroom she looked very different to Kristie close up. She had almost forgotten Lynn’s appearance from the day she followed Donald over to her house over seven months before.

After the reading of the docket number, the judge started to speak.

“In the matter of the people vs. Lynn Finch, I understand you have reached a plea deal,” said Judge Sullivan.

Kristie nearly passed out when she heard Lynn’s last name. She started feeling nauseated and then burst into tears. She finally knew who Lynn was—her lover’s ex-wife.

The sound of her crying caused people to stare at her. When Ted heard the outburst he knew it was probably the victim’s family and slowly turned to take a look. When he saw Kristie sitting there he stared in disbelief. He too now realized that their spouses were lovers.

“Yes, Your Honor, we have,” said the prosecutor.

“Will the defendant please stand. Mrs. Finch, as part of the terms of your plea deal you agree to allocute to the crime you are being charged with committing—Second Degree Murder. Is that true?” asked the judge.

“Yes,” said Lynn quietly.

“Let it be duly noted that the defendant hereby agrees to allocute to the crime of Second Degree Murder. You may proceed with the allocution,” explained Judge Sullivan.

“On the day of the shooting I called Mr. Blakely over to my home so we could talk. I only wanted to talk to him. I tried to hold him close. He became angry because I wouldn’t let him go. When I tried to kiss him he pushed me away and said he never wanted to see me again.

“When he turned to leave the room I reached out to him again and tried to get him to stay. This time he grabbed me with both hands and shook me and told me to leave him the hell alone.

“When he let me go I fell on the bed. Something inside of me snapped and I pulled the gun out of my nightstand and shot him as he was walking out. I am so sorry for everything. I never meant to kill him. I loved him. He was my best friend,” said Lynn as she sobbed.

The only other sounds in the courtroom were the cries of Kristie, DJ, Katherine, and Donald’s parents.

“Is the state satisfied with the defendant’s allocution?” asked the judge.

“Yes we are, Your Honor,” said the prosecutor.

“It is my understanding that the state is recommending a minimum sentence of twelve to fifteen years. Is that correct?” asked Judge Sullivan.

“Yes, that is correct,” agreed the prosecutor.

“Mrs. Finch, please stand. Since both sides are satisfied with the plea bargain and the prosecutor is satisfied with the allocution, I am ready to proceed to sentencing.

“I have taken into consideration the recommendation of the prosecutor and after hearing the defendant’s firsthand account of the murder of Donald Blakely, I am choosing to use my legal right as a judge to alter the terms of the plea.

“Mrs. Finch, because your crime was one of passion does not omit the fact that you have taken the life of an innocent man. By your own admission, Mr. Blakely posed no physical threat to you. You admitted to shooting him in cold blood in the back as he was exiting your room.

“Because of selfish reasons you have taken a husband away from his wife and a father away from his children. I am sentencing you to a minimum of sixteen years in prison. Bailiffs, take the defendant into custody. Court is adjourned,” said Judge Sullivan.

Lynn started to cry. She nearly passed out. Ted and her attorney had to grab hold of her as she fell back. Ted gave her a hug before she was cuffed and taken away. He could not believe the judge had given her sixteen years. He did not know how he was going to go home and explain it to their children.

As he and her attorney made their way towards the exit he looked over at Kristie. He didn’t know what to do or say. He wanted to go to her but knew he couldn’t. There stood his soul mate and his true love in pain and there was nothing he could do about it. He felt so helpless.

When she saw Ted looking in her direction she knew exactly what was on his mind because she was thinking the same thing. She could see in his eyes that he wanted to come to her and hold her and make everything better.

Instead, they had to pretend as if they did not know each other. Here stood two lovers destined to be together now torn even further apart.

As he walked passed her, their eyes met, their tears reflecting their pain. Both realized that the love they shared and any hopes they had of ever being together as a family were now destroyed. They would forever be soul mates but they could never be together as husband and wife.

When he left the courtroom he sent her a text that read:

“It seems like things keep getting in our way of true happiness. I love you, Kristie. You are forever my love, my life, my soul mate. Always remember I am here for a lifetime no matter what. Goodbye.”

Later that afternoon, as she lay across the bed reading his message, she began to cry. In her return text she wrote:

“Life can be cruel and so unfair. It seems we are destined to be apart. If only we had left them sooner then perhaps Donald would be alive, Lynn wouldn’t be in prison, and we would be happy. Now that my children have seen you in court today and know your wife killed their father, we can never be together. Knowing this is tearing me apart. I love you, Ted. You will forever be my friend, lover, and soul mate for a lifetime. Goodbye.”

As she stretched across the bed she turned to look out of the window. She had never felt more alone.