Cherish Noel

Chapter 14

    CHERISH POV   

     Evan has been acting weird the last three days but I guess in a way so have I. I have alot on my mind and as the parole hearing gets closer my nerves and confusion has gotten worse. Today was the day I was going to meet Evan's brother. To say I was nervous would be an understatement.

"Cherish you ready?" Evan asked from down stairs. I looked at myself one more time in the mirror before going down the stairs.

    The drive was long and silent. It was like we were in our own worlds. Occasionally Evan would look at me and to me it seemed like he wanted to say something but never did. When we go to the prison I couldn't move. I was scared to see his face again. Evan walked over to my door and opened it. He placed one hand on my leg and the other he made me look at him.

"Everything will be ok. I wont let anyone hurt you. Ill be by your side the whole time." I nodded my head.

    I inhaled and exhaled deeply. I prepared myself mentally before I got out of the car. Evan grabbed my hand rubbing it with his thumb as we walked to the entrance we went through all of the security. One of the security guards kept raping me with his eyes. 

    We sat down at a long metal table that was bolted down to the floor. I was so nervous. My leg bounced uncontrollably. We sat and waited for him to come. Just as I was about to have a nervous breakdown I heard a buzzing sound indicating that an inmate was entering the room. I took a deep breath. Evan put his hand on my leg.

"Just relax." He leans over and kisses my cheek as a tall, some what muscular light skinned guy walks over to the table. Evan stood up and i did the same.  Evan gave his brother a hug and then looked at me.

"Chase this is Cherish. Cherish this is Chase." Evan introduced. I looked at him and all I could think about was the life he had before this. I felt bad. Crazy right? I'm looking at the man convicted of killing my other and I only feel sadness for him." He stuck out his hand and I shook it with a smile on my face. We all sat down.

"I'm sure there's alot you want to say to me and honestly I'm ready. I wouldn't blame you if you hated me. I hate myself for the pain and heartbreak I caused you. I knew what I was doing and even though I didn't mean for it to happen it doesn't excuse the fact that I knew the risks involved and that your mother was killed." Evan just looked at him shocked. I was confused by his reaction.

"Am I missing something?" I ask looking between the two of them.

"I never told him who you were." Evan said. I looked back at Chase.

" He didn't have to you face has been imprinted in my head since that night. I never forgot your name or your face. I cant. Believe me I tried but I just cant. I've come to realize that, this is my punishment. My freedom taken away and remembering the pain I caused you. I deserve it all though because I know what I did can never be undone." He said with his head in his hands. I was caught off guard by his speech. I inhaled deeply and that familiar smell hit my nose. French vanilla. I smile and shook my head. I got up from beside Evan. I walked over to Chase. He looked at me waiting for me to hit him. His eyes actually begging me to do it. I sat down beside him. I took his hand into mine and said the three words he probably thought he would never hear.

"I forgive you!" Just like i thought he looked confused and scared at the same time.

"I admit when I come here I was determined to hate you but I cant. I cant because my heart and my mom wont let me. I know you didn't mean for any of this to happen. I knew it that night when you said it but my eyes and heart was filled with anger and pain. I didn't want to see or hear the sincerity in those words. I know now that I must forgive you in order to save us both."

"Damn." Chase said. He chuckled.

"What?" I asked.

"You're amazing. I was kind of hoping you would at least hit me. That's what I deserve but..."

"No you deserve to be loved. You deserve to have a second chance in life and that's exactly what I'll be telling the prole board at your hearing. I just hope they listen to me. Chase I forgive you and I hope that when you get out you;ll do something positive with your life. Your brother loves you and blames himself for all of this. I love him to death so if you wanna make it up to me do it by straightening out your life and making your brother proud. When he's happy I'm happy. You of all people know what I look like when I'm angry and i doubt you want to see that side of me again." I said.

"No ma'am." He said shaking his head fast. I laughed then he laughed.

     We spent the rest of the visit talking about the parole hearing and his plans for when he gets out. I told him if he doesn't get out I would still be here to help in any way that I could.