After the recess, the judge called for the Jury to deliberate. It didn't take long for the panel to come back with a verdict after the judge sent them out for deliberation.
"Jury, have you reached a verdict?"
"Yes, your Honor. In the case of the state Vs. Gregory A. Hawthorne, we the jury has come to a verdict on each charge which is as follows.
"On the charge of aggravated sexual assault of a minor, the we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of sexual harassment of a minor, we find the defendant guilty."
"NO! I NEVER TOUCHED HER!" Greg bellowed, jumping out of his seat and sprinting towards Penelope. The bailiff immediately jumped in to restrain and cuff him before he could make it halfway to her.
"Gregory Hawthorne, I hereby sentence you to ten years in federal prison. Upon your release, you will be required to register as a sex offender, and you will never be allowed to live within the same city as Ms. Marks." The judge slammed down his gavel, and two officers came in to take a screaming Greg away.
"Your Honor, in regards to the case of the state Vs. Mary L. Marks, the jury has come to a verdict on each charge, which is as follows.
"On the charge of criminal negligence, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of child endangerment, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of abuse of a minor, we find the defendant guilty. On the charge of child neglect, we find the defendant guilty. Due to the lack of empathy displayed by the defendant, we recommend the maximum sentencing possible."
At each charge which was red, Mary sank farther and farther into her seat. She made herself as small as possible.
"Mary L. Marks, the verdict has been read. As such, I hereby sentence you to 20 years in prison. You are hereby ordered to pay back the costs of medical treatment incurred in this case. You are also required to pay back restitution for the money in which you stole from Ms. Marks, which amounts to a total of $20,543.74."" The judge slammed his gavel. "Case closed."
"NO! YOU LITTLE WRETCH! IF I EVER GET MY HANDS ON YOU I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU!" Mary screamed, sprinting towards Penelope. The bailiff reached towards her, but she was too fast for him.
Penelope screamed as Mary outran the bailiff and the four police officers that came rushing in towards her. They were too far, though. She put her hands up and waited for the assault, but there was nothing as Derek swiftly jumped over the wall separating the seating areas. He grabbed Mary by the throat, and pushed her down on to the ground, pinning her underneath him while the police officers stepped in. The judge threw another 10 years onto her sentence. Plus the 30 days for contempt of court.
Penelope breathed a sigh of relief. It was over. Mary was never going to be able to bother her again. And neither was Greg. That left a question of what was going to happen to Scott, but Penelope didn't care. Kent had already said he wouldn't take custody of the child, and he would be put in the foster care system until another blood relative came and got him.
"You're a brave young woman, Ms. Marks." The judge said to Penelope before leaving the courtroom.
Penelope's family and friends all surrounded her, announcing that they were going to celebrate that night. Lilly was already making a few phone calls, and working to get things set up. Derek scooped her up into his arms, kissed her, and whispered in her ear. "I think I heard you say something about still being a virgin on the stand. Sounds like we need to rectify some unfinished business."
Penelope blushed as she grinned. Derek had been so busy over the summer that they'd hardly had much time for one another. They had had a couple more interrupted opportunities, and Derek had promised her that when the timing was finally right, he was going to go out of his way to make her first time special.
"Perhaps later on this evening. When we're done celebrating with all the people who came here to support me."
Finally, after years of torture, the shackles that Mary had used to bind her were gone, placed back on the very person who had put them on her. She didn't wish Mary or her boys any ill will. No. They were a product of her upbringing. Instead, she decided that she was going to continue focusing on finding happiness. She was going to continue learning to enjoy the things that she loved and discover new passions.
Penelope wanted to finish school, which would be starting soon. Then, she would go to college, get a degree, and start her life as an adult the right way. Or at least, in the way in which she thought was right for her. She was looking forward to starting at her new school, to making new friends, and to finding new beginnings.
"She thought she could break you, but in the end, you stayed strong." Derek finally said aloud as he took Penelope by the hand and led her out of the courthouse, family and friends in tow.
"No. She broke me, alright. Mary left scars that will never go away." She said with a hint of sadness.
Derek's face fell. Everyone was quiet, and all that could be heard was the clock-clack of shoes as they stepped out of the courthouse and walked down the concrete stairs.
"You put me back together, though." She said, not only speaking to Derek but the group of people surrounding here. "Just like kintsugi."
"Kintsugi?" Jezz asked.
"Its a Japanese artform. When something is broken, it is repaired using gold to hold the pieces together."
"Turning something that was once broken into something more beautiful and extraordinary!" Jezz said with awe.
"Exactly. " Penelope confirmed. "I would not be here right now if it hadn't been for you." She said squeezing Derek's hand. "For all of you." She added, turning to look each of them in the eye. "Thank you all."
They all made their way to their cars, Derek leading Penelope into his. Dan and Lilly to theirs. Kent to his, and Jezz to hers.
"God I can't believe how incredible you are!" Derek said, pulling Penelope into a kiss. She deepened it, devouring his lips as if he were the only thing in the world that existed in that moment.
"I love you, Derek Filmore." She finally said after pausing to take a breath.
Derek was shocked for a moment, "I love you too, Penelope. Now lets go home."
The End