Kyle

The courthouse was full of a lot more people than last week. Most of them were people Diana knew.

Nicole and Amelia came with me and Jack. Mildred and Alma came with Tony and Addie. Blanche came alone without telling her mom. Thelma and Kate returned; Thelma wouldn’t be called again, but Kate could. She got way too nervous last week. Some of our best friends were here, like Sam, Hector, Eddie, and Rick. Even some of our cousins were here; Sonya, Kurt, Katie, Robert, Anita.

Almost everyone wore yellow shirts with messages for Diana written on them in marker or puffy paint. ‘We support you’, ‘Put him away’, ‘We’re here for you’. We’d all bought and painted them during the week.

Some new witnesses were added to the case. All of Diana’s former social workers and her therapist, Dr. Cawman. There were a couple of other social workers here, probably those that handled the other Dossi kids’ cases.

Patrick Jr. was nice, but his siblings… I could feel their death stares a mile away. Their hatred was unbridled. Why, though?

Blanche sat in the corner, a bit isolated from everyone else. She wore a shirt a bit big for her with ‘He’s the guilty one’ written in faint black marker. I approached her, smiling lightly. “How you doing?”

She glanced up, half-smiling back. “I’m alive. Where’s Diana?”

“In the bathroom. She’s a bit anxious.”

“Oh, yeah, I figure.”

“You okay? You just seem… so quiet.”

She bit her lip. “I almost feel like I shouldn’t be here.”

“Why?”

“Kyle, I smacked her in the face.”

“You were stressed, just like her. And you apologized. She knows you didn’t mean it.”

“That doesn’t make it right. You saw her face. I felt so…” She clenched her fingers. “It’s just like what all of those… people do. They take everything out on the first innocent face they see. I was stressed, and I took it out on her.”

“You didn’t take it out on her. You just acted out. There’s a difference.” I put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up like this.”

“This is the first time I see her since your birthday. It feels so… awkward.”

“Then make it less awkward. Show her you’re here for her,” I advised. “Show her you’re her friend, and that you love her.” When she hesitated, I continued, “Listen, Diana forgave me for treating her so badly when she first came. I’m sure she’ll forgive you when she sees what kind of person you really are.”

Diana then walked down the hallway with Mom and Lonnie, stopping when she saw all of us. She was also wearing a nice, formal yellow shirt, which Mom had picked out of her. Mom smiled and took off her jacket, revealing her shirt, which read ‘I love you, my sunflower’ in purple puffy paint.

“What’s all this?” she asked, shrinking away shyly.

“They’re just some shirts we whipped up a few days ago,” said Thelma. Her shirt read, ‘My strong, brave bestie’. “We thought it would help a bit… does it?”

Diana approached, reading all the different messages. Her eyes watered, but she didn’t cry, instead blushing. “Who… whose idea was…?”

Tony came forward, clearing his throat, and jerked his head at his sister next to him. Diana smiled, letting a couple of tears out, and crouched. She signed ‘thank you’ and hugged her. Addie pulled away, signing something.

“I didn’t get that, I’m sorry.” Diana sniffled, wiping her eyes.

“She says, ‘I know you would’ve done something like this for me,’” said Tony. Addie continued signing and Tony translated. “I would want people I love with me if I had to do something like this. This is so scary… and you’re here, ready to do it. When I grow up, I want to be as brave as you.”

Diana shook her head. “I don’t know about brave.”

“You’re braver than I would’ve been,” said Harry. “I would just wet myself like I did in fifth grade.”

Everyone looked at him. “You wet yourself in fifth grade?” Tony laughed.

He closed his eyes. “Yeah… probably shouldn’t have said that. It’s a long story.”

“It’s always a ‘long story’,” Mildred teased.

Kate approached Diana, taking her hands. “Listen. Don’t let them intimidate you.” She spoke slowly. “D-don’t let them psych y-you out. You s-say what y-you want to say, loud and c-clear. You know y-you’re telling the t-truth. Y-you’re stronger now. Don’t l-let them win.” She stepped back. “Loud and clear.” On her shirt, she’d written, ‘Don’t be afraid to speak’.

“Well, look at you.” We turned our attention to two of the defense’s witnesses— namely the Dossi kids. “You’ve got your regular little cult, huh, Watson?”

“It’s Field now,” Diana said coldly, standing. “Long time no see, right?” The inner circle of people had taken notice of the interaction; most others were talking around us.

The girl scoffed. “You just love rubbing in the fact that you’re all happy now, right?” Her eyes narrowed, her voice holding hatred and spite stronger than I’d ever heard. “You got your little family, your little friends, all wearing cutesy shirts to show they love you. You really need this much validation?”

“Lila, I’m sorry you and Bernard are in… whatever situation you’re in.” Diana motioned to them. “But I don’t see how defending Patrick is gonna make anything better.”

“That ‘witch’ never did anything for us and you know it,” Bernard said. Tony hesitated in signing, having discreetly translated the conversation to his sister. “Why should we get justice for her?”

“Patrick was worse!” Diana exclaimed. “I’m not trying to get justice for Kim, I’m trying to put that animal in jail so he won’t hurt anyone else.”

Patrick Jr. approached, smiling at his siblings. “Well, the years have been cruel,” he joked. “About time you guys actually talk to us.”

“Aw, the favorite’s here,” Lila said sweetly. “How’s Grandma?”

“No idea. Haven’t talked to her in a long time.”

“Well, that’s surprising. Even you disappointed her.”

“Listen, guys… you’re not even supposed to be talking to us.”

“Well, if they’re not doing their jobs, we should take advantage. I guess it’s because of your weird cult that they didn’t see us… slip.” Lila looked around at all the yellow shirt wearers.

“What is your problem?” said Diana.

“My problem? Watson, Field, whoever you are, be grateful you got what you got.”

“I just don’t see how defending a criminal’s going to help you feel better. And I don’t get why you’re so… angry. You two just hated us as soon as you saw us.”

“Lila, Bernard, we’ve all been through the same thing-” Patrick Jr. started.

“Easy for you to say,” Bernard snapped. “The golden boy got to be with Grandma and you got to find a family.” He nodded at both him and Diana. “Meanwhile, Lila’s homeless and I’m stuck for three years more unless Dad gets out and we can be home!”

Silence fell, the other people finally noticing. The bailiffs quickly pushed through the crowd, steering Lila and Bernard away from us, scolding all of us for interacting with them. Thankfully, it was just a warning.

The courtroom doors then opened, inviting the audience inside. “We’ll all be right there for you, okay?” Mom kissed Diana’s forehead and Dad hugged her. Everyone gave Diana hugs, kisses, and words of encouragement as they entered. I stayed at my sister’s side.

“You ready?” I whispered.

“As I’ll ever be.” She entered with sharp eyes. Matching eyes. Like mine. Like my sister’s.

Her sister’s.

~~~

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

A lot more witnesses were called up today. We were sitting there for hours. Kate, Patrick Jr, Mr. Brian, Ms. Bredlong. Surprisingly, Ms. Bredlong told the truth about Patrick hurting Diana— I’d thought she’d go for the defense’s side with how cruel she was.

Kate looked pretty nervous at the beginning of her testimony, but she managed to calm down and tell her story without stuttering too much. Her parents, who sat near the back, looked as proud as ever.

The next day, Dr. Cawman and the two other social workers were called. The attorneys all asked them the same questions: was Mr. Dossi violent? How did he treat his wife and children? I didn’t understand how this issue became so difficult. He and his wife were in jail for a reason. He obviously killed her. Why were they taking so long to put him away? Why go through all of this?

Diana was calmer than I’d ever seen her. The first day, she sat quietly, not even glancing at Patrick, who still stared at her with a creepiness that made my blood boil. It was all I could do to not threaten him.

The third day, we were all still there, waiting patiently, wearing the same shirts in support. It was timely that spring break started for most schools already. Lila and Bernard went up, delivering the most convincing lies I’d ever heard. They’d clearly learned how to act over the years. They made Patrick sound like a victim, claiming their mom even tried to kill him a few times.

I understood, though. Patrick was their only hope of having a home. What would happen to them if Patrick was convicted?

“Calling Diana Field to the stand.”

Murmurs echoed. I sighed. “Finally.” Beside me, Diana rose, as calm as can be, and walked up to the stand with Lonnie. She squeezed my hand as she passed me.

It was like a peace had come over her. I couldn’t describe it. All it gave me was swelling pride. I looked around at all her supporters; family, friends…

Ivy?

She sat at the back, also wearing a yellow shirt, though her arms covered the message she’d written on it. I didn’t even see her come in.

Diana took the oath and sat down, still avoiding looking at Patrick. I hoped she wouldn’t act up again. A bailiff watched her closely.

“Ms. Field.” A different attorney questioned her this time. “How old were you when you lived with Patrick Dossi?”

“Four years old,” she said.

“Do you still remember your experience with him after all these years?” he asked.

“I do.”

“Can you remember any time when Mr. Dossi showed violent conduct towards his wife, Kimmie?”

“Yeah. A lot of times. He was violent towards her, me… and all his kids. Including Lila and Bernard.” Her voice was clear and strong, not a hint of nervousness to be found.

“Would you tell the jury some examples?”

She looked at the jury. 12 pairs of eyes stared back. All kinds of people. Around my age, older, maybe some of them were parents, or husbands, or wives. People that wouldn’t imagine doing something like what Patrick did.

“I have a lot of examples,” Diana said. “I don’t know how much time I have up here.”

“As long as you need,” the attorney told her.

Diana’s eyes landed on us. I nodded, sensing a twinge of fear in her gaze. She then took a breath, hardening her eyes, and turned to the jury.

The story flowed like a calm river, though the flow was pretty harsh. The endless list of horrors she endured from Patrick alone… the yelling, screaming, threatening, and fear. I gripped Nicole’s hand, swallowing down a lump. A little four-year old girl, still grieving for her parents, had to go through all of this… and so much more.

12 years too late, she’d get her justice. At least someone got what they deserved. I just wished it hadn’t taken so long.

~~~

Diana

March 25th, 2024

The courtroom was silent.

It was long after school was over, so everyone was here, wearing the same shirts. I never imagined anyone would do something like that, especially for me. I sat up front with my parents and brothers, petting Lonnie.

Patrick appeared with his team and sat in his usual place. Instead of looking at me, which had become a habit, he looked straight ahead, completely emotionless. There was no trace of feeling in his face, no reaction. The coldest deadpan I’d ever seen.

He was scared.

“Hey.” I turned, finding Mr. Brian leaning over from his seat. “I didn’t get to tell you yesterday. I’m very proud of you.”

I smiled at him. “Thank you, Mr. Brian.”

“I always knew you were amazing, Diana. Keep being amazing, ‘kay?” He glanced at Thelma and Kate, who sat nearby. “You two did amazing, too. Be proud.”

Both girls smiled back at him. “Thanks,” said Kate.

The judge entered, silencing all the faint whispers bouncing around the room. The jury came next, prompting us all to stand. Once we sat down, my heart started beating a bit faster.

Formalities were definitely exhausting. My fingers tapped on my knee impatiently as they went through all the legal speech and jargon, delaying the point. I wished they could simply say, ‘He’s guilty’ or ‘He’s innocent’ and move on. But patience was key here.

God, I know I don’t talk to you enough… if you were telling the truth, if you meant what you said about happiness coming around… please let that verdict say ‘Guilty’ on it. Patrick clearly doesn’t follow you. Don’t you let him go free.

“Question: did Patrick Dossi, in any way, commit violence against Kimmie Dossi. Answer: yes. Question: did Patrick Dossi repeatedly put Kimmie Dossi’s life in danger intentionally? Answer: yes.”

With every question read out, my hope grew. I gripped Mom and Dad’s hands like lifelines. Could it be? Could it be that something good could really happen?

I know you. I want to believe in you. So bring me justice. Bring us justice.

“Members of the jury, if this is your verdict, answer yes. If it’s not your verdict, answer no.”

I tensed and kept praying that they would all say ‘yes’. They couldn’t change their minds. This was the final judgement for Patrick Dossi Sr.

“Juror number 4.”

“Yes.”

“Juror number 8.”

“Yes.”

Mom muttered both prayers of thanks and pleading as more yeses emerged from the jury. With each one, a weight was pulled off my back. Another chain was broken.

“This court finds the defendant, Patrick Dossi Sr., guilty of the domestic abuse, aggravated assault, sexual battery, and first-degree murder of Mrs. Kimmie Dossi.” Restrained jubilation was heard among the crowd, but everyone controlled themselves. “The defendant is also charged and convicted with child abuse, assault, obstruction of justice, use of controlled substances, possession of stolen property, and violation of parole.”

Mom and Dad muttered “thank you, Jesus”, squeezing my hands while smiling with joy. I didn’t react just yet; I was still processing the fact that this was actually happening.

“Patrick Dossi Sr. is officially sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Court is adjourned.”

The courtroom burst into cheers and smiles, everyone standing and hugging each other. Air was squeezed out of my lungs as my brothers picked me up and hugged me in a tight group hug, followed by both my parents. Usually, I would panic, but I didn’t mind this time.

“We did it!” Thelma hugged me and Kate, jumping with joy.

I didn’t know how many people came and hugged me, but it was quite a lot. My uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. Tony and Addie, especially. The little girl jumped with joy while Tony hugged me gently, but firmly. For a few moments, I leaned into his embrace, feeling a special warmth and comfort from him.

“I knew you could do it,” he whispered.

We pulled back, but still had our arms around each other, my face staying a little close to his. “Thank you. For everything. Thank you both.” I pinched Addie’s cheek.

“We should go out and celebrate,” he said.

“Yeah, yeah, sure, that sounds great.” Kyle approached, raising a brow at Tony. “Diana needs to go home for a bit, though. It’s been a long day.”

I pulled away from Tony completely, frowning at my older brother. “Actually, I’d like to go out,” I said confidently. “It’s not every day I get a happy ending like this.”

Kyle hesitated, mouth flapping. “Well, you need to ask Mom and Dad.”

“Hey, Mom! Dad! Can I go out with Tony?” I shouted.

They both stopped, looking at each other. “Maybe you can all go out together, you and your friends,” Dad said before Mom could say ‘yes’. In response, she frowned at him, smacking his arm. “Ow! What?”

“It would be rude to leave all your other friends behind after everything,” Kyle said with an irritating smirk.

I huffed. “Fine.” I handed him Lonnie’s leash.

“Aren’t you gonna…?”

I smiled. “He deserves a vacation. I’ll be fine.”

“Can I come?” Blanche approached, guilt swimming in her eyes. She wrung her oversized shirt in her hands.

I smiled at her and answered with a hug. “Obviously,” I said genuinely. “All of you are my friends. I want to be with you.”

“Even if we’re total jerks?”

I chuckled. “As long as you say sorry.”

She tightened her hug. “I really am.”

Over her shoulder, to my surprise, a familiar brunette walked up to us. Her brown eyes glanced up at me repeatedly, nervous and embarrassed. On her shirt was the message: ‘Amy would be proud’.

I broke away from Blanche, whose eyes immediately iced over when she saw Ivy.

She slowed, as if intimidated. Maybe she was. “Um… can I just…”

“We’re heading out,” Blanche said coldly.

“We can talk, though,” I cut in. “I… didn’t know you came, actually. I didn’t see you.”

“I was in the back.” She twiddled her fingers, her brown eyes fixed on her shoes. “Listen… I know this is really… I wanted to tell you when we had more time, but I never got to talk to you, and I… I feel like I kinda got you into this in the first place, considering you fought with me before… I-I just wanted to say-”

“Oh, just get to the point,” Kate said, approaching. “Y-you’re wasting a lot of her t-time going on and on. J-just say it!”

“I’m sorry,” Ivy blurted out. “I know I said it before, and that it sounds… coming from me, I know you’re probably feeling upset, or offended, and I’m sorry for that, too. I just really wanted to say I’m sorry for being such a… horrible, horrible person to you, and to Amy. I’ve come to terms with a lot of things, so it’s only fair that I settle things with you, too, right? Not that I expect you to accept it, I just wanted you to hear it.”

Awkward silence. I wasn’t sure what to say.

“Okay, um… I won’t take up your time. Sorry. I’ll see you around… sorta. Bye.” She turned away.

“Ivy,” I stopped her. She didn’t look at me, her back facing me. I told her the first thing that came to mind. “We should go see Amy and Monica sometime. Us together. I feel like they would’ve liked that.”

She stayed still, keeping her eyes away. She peeked over her shoulder, but only a bit. “Yeah, I think so, too. That’ll be nice.” She then hurried to the doors.

“That was big of you,” said Kate. “If it w-were me, I would’ve said a few… choice w-words.” Her gaze flickered behind me, and I followed.

I found myself staring into his eyes. He continued looking at me as he was led to the doors by the bailiffs, his chains rattling. I was tempted to look away, but I didn’t dare. A few seconds stretched out to a few moments. I could tell he was wondering how I did it, how I managed to talk and tell the truth after the way I ran out the last time.

God has judged you, I said mentally, watching him until his orange jumpsuit disappeared behind the wall.

Once he was gone, my eyes traveled to Lila and Bernard, who were being led away. Bernard’s gaze was downturned, tears sparkling under the lights. Lila’s dark eyes, which matched her father’s, glanced up, meeting mine. The sadness and hopelessness in them pierced my heart. It wasn’t their fault, really. They were victims, like me.

Before I could even think of how to help them, rage filled her brown eyes and she left her brother’s side, shooting towards me. I was too distracted, too complacent. Her hands locked around my throat, sending a shock through my body, and we both crashed to the floor. Screams and yells of my name erupted around me.

My head hit an edge; probably one of the benches. Pain shot down my neck, through my back. Lila’s furious face was all I could see as my oxygen started to run out. She was a lot stronger than she looked.

She was yelling, but I couldn’t hear what she was saying. Her tears and spit wet my face. The pain in my head intensified. I couldn’t breathe in. The panic didn’t make it any better.

The lights above us got brighter. It was only a few seconds, but it felt like minutes. Everything was drawn out. I felt Lila’s nails pierce my skin as she was being pulled off, leaving scars.

The lights got even brighter, and everything was white.