Forgiveness

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As Shea sat in the pew listening to Father Lewis preach about forgiveness, her mind wandered back to the trial. Fr. Lewis was getting into the throes of the sermon and showed no signs of letting up any time soon. She allowed her thoughts to drift.

“How do you know the defendant?” the prosecutor asked.

“He was my next-door neighbour. We live in the same apartment complex. I met him when I was

moving in with my partner.”

The day she met Brandon played like a movie in her mind. She was struggling with the last box containing her grandmother’s prized silverware. He offered to help. He was so kind, and good looking to boot. She wondered briefly if he was single and then Ashleigh appeared. Ashleigh was also beautiful. Skin the colour of midnight and starry eyes to match, she flashed a brief smile and introduced the couple as her neighbours. Shea immediately planned several double dates in her head and made a note to mention it to Colleen.

“What led you to call the police on the night of March 21 st 2019?”

“I heard screams, and thuds, and things breaking. Then silence.”

Shea fidgeted uncomfortably in the church. The sun had shifted and it seemed as if whoever in the sky controlling it had deliberately turned it to her to make her squirm. She pulled out her fan as the memory came cascading down.

She and Colleen were watching their favourite trash programme on Netflix called “Likkle Mixup” and were playfully arguing about the compatibility of the throuples competing for a wedding and honeymoon. And then they heard the voices escalating.

“Sounds like someone’s unhappy, eh? Didn’t realise the walls were this thin. Why’s the rent so high then?”, Colleen remarked innocently.

“Yikes. I hope this isn’t a regular thing. Me nah lub nize when me a chy relax.” Shea responded.

The screams got louder. Then she heard a pot clatter to the ground. Colleen paused Netflix and looked over at Shea. Then she heard it. The familiar sound of flesh hitting a concrete wall. She felt rather than heard the expletives being hurled and her eyes widened with shock. Colleen mouthed “call the police” and moved closer to the wall to listen. Shea, trembling, took out her phone and dialled 911. She frantically described what was happening in a loud whisper. The dispatcher seemed least concerned.

“Dis sound lakka one next man and woman ‘tory but aright me will put you chu.”

Forty-five minutes later, blue and red lights flashed outside on the street. Shea trembled as she played with the raised scar on the side of her neck. Colleen brought her a cup of chai and she inhaled the soothing scent while she watched the police take Brandon’s statement. They left. Brandon looked around the complex and glared, then closed the door.

“Did you see Ashleigh Parker again after March 21 st ?”

“Yes I did.”

“Did you speak to her?”

“I tried.”

“What did you talk to her about?”

“I tried asking if she was ok. She just said yes.”

“Did you notice anything off about Ms. Parker?”

“OBJECTION! Counsel is leading the witness.”

The lawyer changed his question.

“When you spoke to Ms. Parker after the 21 st , what did you observe?”

“I noticed a bruise on her shoulder, and she was wearing big sunglasses. She wouldn’t take them off.”

Fr. Lewis shouted and Shea jumped. She thought it was the end of the sermon but alas he was on his 4th story about forgiveness. This one involved a monkey. She drifted again.

“I just don’t know how to help her Colleen. We keep calling the police. They leave. He waits. He hurts her again. It’s giving me nightmares. I feel like I’m back there again.” “I gave her our number and told her we’re here to help. But then he came and she ran as if he had raised a whip. There’s nothing else we can do but keep calling and staying ready.”

Colleen noticed Shea playing with her scar and moved closer to her on the couch so she could embrace her. She kissed her forehead, wiped the tears from her face and sat with her in silence.

“Did you speak to the defendant after the 21st?”

“He was very cold toward Colleen and I after that day.”

“Why do you think that was?”

“OBJECTION! The witness is not a mind reader!”

The prosecutor took a minute to think then started again.

“Did you ask any of your other neighbours about the noise?”

“I did.”

“What did you ask them?”

“I asked them if this was a normal thing. They said it was none of their business.”

Fr. Lewis was wrapping up.

“At last”, Shea whispered under her breath.

“What happened on the night of June 16th ?”

“I was getting ready to call the police again. I heard Ashleigh scream. I ran outside and banged on the door. Colleen called the police. I kept banging. The screams stopped.”

As Fr. Lewis finished his sermon with a reminder that we must lead a life of forgiveness, she rolled her eyes. Why preach a message of forgiveness at a dead star’s funeral? As she approached the coffin and stared into Ashleigh’s peaceful face, she allowed the tears to fall.

“I wish I could have done more for you. I wish I could have moved you to another galaxy. I wish the sky had opened up to welcome you back home.” As she left the church, she lapsed into a thoughtful silence. Colleen pulled out of the parking lot.

“At least he’ll be away from women for a long time.” Colleen remarked.

“Yea, but what happens when he gets out? What’s the point? He needs help.”

Colleen sighed as they pulled up to Dr. Dendrobium’s office. “Shea, you did all you could. When will you stop blaming yourself?”

Shea shrugged while fiddling with her scar.