“Oh my God! Are you pregnant?” Selena shouts as my eyes go wide. I turn to search Sydney’s face, wondering if she’s keeping something from me, but she sees my concern and just rolls her eyes.
“No, I’m not pregnant. Can everyone focus, please?”
I blow out a breath of relief and then snuggle her in closer to my body. I definitely want children with this woman someday, but today is not that day.
“Okay. What is it?”
Sydney takes a deep breath and then speaks. “Jesus’s arraignment was on Wednesday. Since the only charges against him are his assault on me, he’s likely to only have to pay a fine.”
“What? That’s bullshit!” Selena shouts as Andre rests a hand on her shoulder.
“I agree, but given that it’s his first offense, this is the likely result.”
“So, what do you need from us?”
Sydney looks down at me and I nod, encouraging her to ask what she needs to. She discussed this with me prior to this conversation, and I told her I supported what she wanted to do, but it was up to my sister.
“Well, if he only has to pay a fine, he’s likely to go back on the streets and try this again. Lord knows how many other women might have been a victim of his after you, Selena.”
“Okay …”
“So, I guess I’m asking if you’d be willing to press charges against him for rape.”
I watch my sister’s face go white and her body retreat in her seat.
“Please don’t be mad at me … but in the state of Texas you have tenyears to file rape charges against someone. You’re well within the time limits … and, given that you had a rape kit done at the hospital the night that it happened, there is clear evidence that could put him behind bars, Selena.”
“You … you want me to come forward?”
Sydney and I both nod and then I finally speak. “Yeah, we do, sis. Think about how many other women he could hurt. Sydney was lucky she knew how to fight him off. But others might not be that prepared. He’s a filthy piece of shit that needs to be put behind bars. He needs to pay for what he’s done to our family. And you have the power to help make that happen.”
Andre looks at me and bobs his head up and down, just as Selena turns to face him. “You think I should do this?”
“I think now’s as good a time as ever. Like Sydney said, we don’t want him to get to other women, and you have hard evidence that can put him behind bars, babe.”
Selena’s eyes find the floor as Sydney squeezes my hand in anticipation.
“I know it’s scary, Selena. But he deserves this punishment. He’s only going to keep doing this because he knows he can get away with it.”
My sister peers over at me. “Sydney’s right,Selena. It’s time to make him pay.”
“You’re right,” she finally says as Sydney’s shoulders fall. “I’ll do it.” Her smile grows as Sydney and her lock eyes and nod in agreement, silently waging a war against a man that has hurt them both.
“I’m so glad, Selena. I think it’s going to make all the difference. One of my associates at my firm agreed to take on our case, and is confident we have enough to put Jesus behind bars for a while.”
“Let’s hope.”
“Now,” Sydney states, turning to face me. “There’s one more thing I want to address …”
“What’s up, Princess?”
Her face softens as she stares down at me, brushing my hair off of my forehead. “One thing about being a Matthews is knowing a lot of people and having some pretty powerful connections.”
“Okay …”
“I talked with my father, who is close with our Governor in the great state of Texas, and he seems to think he may be able to help you as well.”
My brow furrows as she waits for me to say something. “Help me how?”
“Well, I know you hate having the assault charge on your record, and once Selena comes forward, there will be intent for why you hit Jesus. Assault charges can’t be expunged from your record through legal means unless you are pardoned by a Governor or the President. And sorry, but we’re not in tight with the President.” She winks and I’m still trying to follow her train of thought.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I might be able to get the charges off your record, Javi. That black cloud you claim follows you around could go away forever. I know it won’t give you those two years back you spent behind bars, but at least it will give you some sort of a fresh start.”
I feel my eyes start to burn. “You’d do that for me?”
She smiles down at me and then gently kisses my lips. “I’d do anything for you, Javi.”
“God, I love you.” I pull her in and smash my lips to hers as I hear Andre and Selena snicker in the background.
“Javi, this is incredible!” Selena finally says as we part. She stands and then comes over to us. “Sydney, I can’t believe you might be able to do that.”
All of us stand as we make our way to the kitchen. Andre grabs drinks from the fridge for everyone to celebrate.
“Nothing is guaranteed, but I think the facts of the case are in our favor. And the more I was talking with my dad, the more we decided that there needs to be more open opportunities for expungement in this state. A lot of times there are circumstances surrounding an arrest or conviction that don’t come out until later, and a person should have the right to clear their record after the fact. He’s convinced there are other cases like Javi’s and we might be able to help pass legislation to
