Katrina forced her eyes open as she rolled to her back. It seemed like forever since she’s felt rested. Sometimes the pressure in her upper body made it hard to breath and right now she was having another episode. All she could do was rub her chest to ease the pain.
Today is the day Katrina has been dreading. It felt like a boulder that was suspended above her waiting to crush her. If only it would just drop and put her out of her misery. Never in a million years did Katrina think she would be lying in a prison cell waiting for a decision that would determine the future of her life.
It began six months ago with hope and excitement. Her career as a lawyer was just beginning. Graduating with honors and a job lined up with a prominent law firm was all she had wished for. It felt as if the world was in her hands.
Later that evening there was a celebratory gathering with her class mates at a local restaurant. The graduates reminisced and laughed about their experiences and the late-night study sessions. After several rounds of drinks, Katrina was starting to feel the buzz and knew she should stop, but this was her time to celebrate.
No one had thought to have a designated driver. Katrina had driven the route so many times that she could do it in her sleep. What could go wrong.
Once the bill was paid and goodbyes were said, Katrina and her friends made their way to the car. The loud group waited on Katrina as she rummaged through her purse. Bracing herself against the vehicle, she finally grasped the keys with her hand and unlocked the door. Once inside, her head began to swirl as she leaned forward to pick up the keys she had just dropped.
After inserting the key into the ignition, Katrina turned it and the car roared to life. “I can do this,” she mumbled to herself. Grabbing the gear shift, she moved it into drive then slowly released her foot off the brake. As the car move forward, Katrina gripped the steering wheel and maneuvered the vehicle out of the parking lot.
Invincible, was what she felt. Her friends laughed at some joke while another friend stood up in the front passenger seat through the opened sunroof screaming and waving her hands. Everyone was feeling the state of euphoria.
Katrina guided the car, like she had so many times, navigating the sharp curves in the road. But as she approached the next curve a deer ran out onto the road. Katrina jerked the steering wheel to the right while attempting to press on the brake but instead her foot found the gas pedal.
The car catapulted forward. As the tires left the ground Katrina felt a weightlessness then a sudden drop in her stomach as if she was on a roller coaster plunge. It wasn’t until the screams reached her ears and the dawn of realization came upon her that they had just driven off the cliff. Within a blink of an eye the sound of shattering glass and twisting metal robbed her of the free feeling and there was silence.
When she had regained consciousness in the hospital, Katrina was informed that one friend had died and the other two were in critical condition. In one night, it was all gone.
As the memories flooded back, Katrina rolled back to her side into a ball. It was as if her brain was stuck in replay mode repeating the horrific scene over and over.
Katrina moaned as the tears resurfaced. The knot in her stomach tightened causing her chest to squeeze again. Quickly she wiped the tears with her sleeve when she heard footsteps approaching her cell. The female guard unlocked the door. “Your lawyer is waiting for you. Let’s go.”
After changing into a simple suite for her sentencing hearing, she was then escorted to the court room and seated next to her lawyer.
The hushed whispers became a dead quiet. “All rise.” Hearing the wave of movement and scraping of chairs, Katrina looked up to see the judge enter the court room. It was then she felt a gentle nudge from her lawyer signaling her to stand up.
Once seated again, the court room silenced. Katrina closed her eyes and wondered if God was even here with her today. If ever she needed divine intervention, it was now.
As the judge began to speak, Katrina tried blocking out the words wanting to delay the inevitable. But when she felt a quick shake to her arm Katrina snapped to attention. Looking at her lawyer, she then followed his gaze towards the judge.
It was then that her sense of hearing became crystal clear.
“Katrina. Your negligent act as a driver has forever changed the lives of so many people. Not only were two of your classmates seriously injured but we lost Bailey McCarthy, another young life that ended too soon. There is no way to bring her back. The hurt and loss have been overwhelming for the family and the community.”
Tears welled up in Katrina’s eyes spilling over onto her cheeks. The judge continued. “I had your sentencing ready to hand out, but Bailey’s father wrote me a very persuasive letter. If this had been my child, I would have asked for the max sentencing.”
Katrina pressed her lips tightly together hoping to stop the sob that wanted to escape her mouth.
The judge paused and stared at Katrina. “I’m going to read Mr. McCarthy’s letter.”
The judge slowly unfolded a piece of paper then put her glasses on. She looked over her glasses at Katrina and then read out loud. “Dear Judge, I have spent all the tears that my body can produce over losing my daughter. The worst was when I had to lay her deep into the ground and cover her with dirt, never to see her beautiful face again. I will never walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Nor will I ever see her experience the joy of motherhood. But God had a different path for Bailey. After many hours on my knees with God, I have come to terms with this loss of mine. I now see that God’s plan is bigger than my sorrow. I am requesting that you consider leniency towards Katrina’s sentencing. I believe that through this horrendous tragedy that God has an amazing journey for Katrina. I believe that Katrina has a good heart and wants to make a difference in this world. We all have made bad decisions and have been given a million chances to try again. I ask that Katrina be allowed to use her God given talent to fight for those who need a defender. What Katrina has experienced will play a big role in her future as a lawyer. My petition to you is to grant Katrina grace with another chance to show her worth.”
The judge pulled her glasses off and laid them down next to the letter.
Katrina’s bottom lip began to quiver; she couldn’t stop the tears streaming down her face soaking her blouse.
As the judge looked at Katrina she spoke again. “Mr. McCarthy’s letter caused me to pause and reconsider my original decision. Today I will hand out a ruling that aligns with Mr. McCarthy’s request and grant you leniency.
With that, the judge swung her gavel.
****
This short story was written a few years ago. I have edited it many times wanting to portray the agony that a person goes through after doing something grievously wrong. The emptiness and loneliness that follows causing a person to struggle emotionally and making it difficult to live life.
“If you are still breathing, you have a second chance.” – Oprah Winfrey
Not everything in life is grand. I too have been taken down dark roads that seem to be only meant for me to travel. Through each yukky mess I have struggled and at times have wanted to give up. But in the midst of it all, for some reason, I’m given another chance to get it right. Over and over grace is offered. It’s like God keeps telling me, “I never waste an opportunity for good in your life.”
What leaves me dumbfounded is as I went through those crazy situations God used every chance to craft in me deep resilience that caused me to grow with the end result of something beautiful within me.
Situations can be stressful and overwhelming but remember, you are not alone. You are not expected to tackle these difficult circumstances by yourself. Regardless of how messed up your life is, God has a plan. He’s going to give you a million chances to get it right. So, keep trying. Through all that messiness something beautiful is being created in you.
Lamentations 3:22 – “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every Morning.”
My sister will give me havoc for not giving this short story a better ending. But I wanted to leave it open to your imagination of how Katrina’s story would end turning her messed up situation into something beautiful.
“Sometimes you gotta make a mess to make something beautiful.” – Christopher Laney
Image by LUMEZIA on iStock
Gwen
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