He straightened in his seat, and instantly, all eyes turned toward him....curious, attentive, and perhaps just a little bit braced for what he was about to say.
"Well… my father is dead," Joe finally spoke, his voice thick with emotion. "But I have a mother."
As he spoke, Joe tried so hard to control the tears threatening to break free, but they shimmered visibly in his eyes.
"Even though I have a mother," he continued, voice trembling, "it doesn't feel like it anymore… because she's not here with me. She might actually be leaving this world soon too."
"What do you mean?" Rose asked softly, raising an eyebrow as she gently placed a hand on Joe's shoulder. "Where is your mom?"
Joe let out a bitter scoff, and the first tear slipped down his cheek.
"She's in prison," he replied, the words dropping heavily into the room. "She's in prison… because of me. She went there in my stead. Took the fall for me."
