0.1. Innocent or Guilty
1/2/2006
x-o- Stef -x-o
I smiled at my little six year old Callie as I was making her favourite chocolate pan cakes. "Mama, look what I drew!" She announced as she picked up her piece of paper and showed me her drawing. I smiled as she described what she drew. "It's you, Daddy and me at the beach with our puppy, Chanel." I giggled and congratulated her on her drawing as I finished the patch of chocolate pan cakes as Mike walked in.
"Hey honey." He greeted Callie kissing her forehead as Callie showed him the picture which Mike laughed at the drawing. "You are a good drawer, boo."
"Thanks Daddy!" Callie said with a proud smile on her face as I popped two chocolate pan cakes on her plate then put two on the other two plates.
"Hey Stef." Mike greeted me and I forced a smile on my face for Callie's sake. "Oh. Yum." He sat next to Callie taking her crayons and paper away. "Mama made our favourite!"
"Yes she did!" I said as I put the plate in the sink and joined them sitting on Callie's other side. "Are you excited to start in year one at Anchor Beach school?" I questioned Callie with a smile as we all dug in to our breakfast.
"I can't wait to see Brandon again!" Callie said with excitement with her mouth full which made both Mike and I crack up in laughter. She was too adorable. "He said he was getting a piano for Christmas and I want to know how well he can play!"
"Well, you can go over to his place if I ask Lena!" I replied to her as Mike was eating and looking up occasionally. "But, Lena might be busy too because she has Mariana, Jesus and Jude to look after too."
"I know.. I know." Callie replied finishing the last pan cake and drinking her strawberry milk. "Can we go?" I looked up and saw Callie moving in her chair in excitement.
"You have to dress into your uniform and brush those knots out of your hair sweets before we even think of stepping foot out of this apartment." I replied sternly with also a little smile on my face squishing her little cheek. She nodded and ran to her room leaving me and Mike.
"She is really the only reason I am here." Mike muttered under his breath and I looked at him with a frown. "Don't give me that look, Stefanie." I looked down and continued to eat.
"I don't know why you even bother sometimes Mike." I replied back with a disappointed tone. "You are only interested in Callie when it suits you best."
"That isn't true, Stefanie!" Mike said in a louder tone and I quickly shushed him.
"She is going to hear us, Mike." I whispered-yelled with a frown on my face looking at him. "And it is true. Most of the time, you go out drinking.. Or you are playing on the video games. To be quite honest, it is like having a teenager in this house. Callie is better behaved than you."
"You are a bitch, Stefanie." Mike muttered under his breath and I felt anger boiling inside me. "You really deserve to go to hell."
"Oh.. I swear if I get my hands on you.." I growled at him with anger and he smiled widely at me knowing he is getting to me. "I would kill you with my bare hands."
"Stupid dyke." He said before getting up and chucking his plate in the sink. "Oh and I am taking money out of our account because I need it." I got up and followed him.
"Why do you need to take money out of the account?" I questioned but he slammed the door in my face. "You better not be betting again or whatever you do."
"So what if I am, Stefanie?" Mike yelled and I sighed. "It is none of your goddamn business." I then heard Callie. I turned my focus to Callie who was standing there with confusion.
"Are you ready, baby?" I whispered walking over to her and she nodded as she picked up her bag which was already packed the night before. "Sorry that Daddy can't come. He is busy trying to find a job." She nodded as we walked out of the apartment block and onto the beach.
"I don't like it when you fight and yell." She whispered sadly and I nodded. "I feel sad when you do."
"I am sorry, baby girl." I whispered taking her hand into mine and she tightened her grip. "We are just so stressed and worried but there is no excuse." She nodded again and we walked slowly on the deserted beach to her school.
"I would like to close my bank accounts for a while." I announced to the banker at the front desk. "There is a issue at home where I can't have any money."
"Sure, no issue." She replied and I gave her all my information having her look through it to get it all sorted. I was sure Mike didn't get any money yet and I wasn't going to let him. "If you really want to get your name on all the bank accounts, you can." I looked up at her with wonder.
"Really, can I?" I questioned and she nodded. "Why not? It will stop him from taking the only money we have to live on." She smiled and went back to typing on her computer. Sorry Mike. This is for the best.
x-o- Mike -x-o
I went to the ATM before meeting my dealer back at my place before Stef gets home from doing errands. I put my card through but it wouldn't accept. "Shit!" I muttered under my breath as I saw Stef coming over with a grin.
"I told you that you aren't getting any money from that card." She replied and I looked at her with anger. "I have legally changed everything to my name so if you want money, you have to go through me."
"And I am telling you that I need money."
"For what, Mike?" Stef questioned as she rolled her eyes. "I pay the bills. I buy the food, clothes and everything. You don't need money for anything."
"Yes. I do!" I replied taking her arm and walking her to the beach away from the public people's eyes. "I have a right to that money."
"Of course you do." Stef replied and I smiled.
"So, come on."
"But, for what you are doing with the money by buying booze, dealing and betting. You have no right then to the money which is meant for the family." She replied and I slapped her face hard. She nodded and looked away. "I am going home." We walked home and I knew what was going to happen next. The dealer was there and Stef stopped in her tracks.
"Where is the money?" The Dealer questioned us and Stef looked at me with disappointment. I looked at the Dealer as he pulled out a gun which startled both of us. "Money or you die." Stef closed her eyes in shock as I shook my head.
"I don't have any." I whispered and then heard a loud bang and darkness.
x-o- Stef -x-o
"Mike!" I yelled as the Dealer shot three times at Mike then threw the gun at me and ran off before anyone saw. "Shit!" I yelled and then heard someone's door opened.
"What the hell?" I heard my neighbour, Janie mutter as she ran to us seeing the gun next to me. "You shot Mike?" I looked at her and shook my head but she didn't believe me. I took the gun into my hands without thinking and looked at it. Janie kicked it out my hands, called the police and ambulance. Everything from then was blank until I was in a cell.
"I didn't shoot him.. I swear." I yelled out after a long time of just sitting there. "You have to believe me! He had a dealer and he was mad because Mike didn't have money to give him."
"Ms Foster, I think you should stop speaking until your lawyer comes." A police officer appeared with an angry stare and I sat back down in defeat.
"Callie? Is she okay?" I questioned to the police officer ignoring the no talking rule.
"Someone has gone to tell her." I nodded and looked down. My little baby.. She is going to be so confused.
-Court Day
x-o- Callie -x-o
Daddy is dead. Mama killed him. I looked at Ms Lena who was making waffles for everybody. I was meant to talk in court about that morning. "Ms Lena?" I whispered and she looked up at me with a small smile.
"Yes, honey?" Ms Lena answered placing two waffles on my plate.
"Why did Mama kill Daddy?" I whispered and Ms Lena's smile dropped. "She was the one wasn't she?"
"I don't know, sweetie pie." Ms Lena answered as she poured me some orange juice and handed me it. "That is why today is happening. They are going to find out if Mama played the part in what happened to your Daddy."
"Am I allowed to see Mama beforehand like that nice man said I could?" I questioned and Ms Lena nodded as she started to feed Jude. Mariana, Jesus and Brandon were at school. "I am scared.. What if I say something wrong?"
"Honey, you won't be." Ms Lena answered as she stroked my cheek as Jude happily messily ate his waffles. "All you say is the truth, alright? And answer the questions the best you can. I promise the judge won't let any one be tough on you." I nodded and finished my waffles.
Ms Lena and I walked into a room where the nice man whose name is Mr Kevin greeted us. "It is nice that you two could come and speak." I looked up at Ms Lena who smiled down at me. "Your Mama really wants to see you." I looked back at him who smiled but I sighed. I was scared.. My Mother killed my Daddy.. Suddenly the door opened and Mama walked in slowly.
"Callie bear." She whispered and I took a few steps back into Ms Lena's legs. "Baby, I won't hurt you." She kneeled down to my height and I slowly walked over to her. "Hi there bug."
"Hi." I whispered softly with a shaky voice which was noticed by Mama who looked at me with a sad but loving look.
"Are you nervous?" I nodded to that and she stroked my cheek. "Can I tell you something?" I nodded. "I promise I didn't hurt Daddy. And I promise I would never hurt you. You know that right?"
"Yes." I replied in a whisper and wrapped my arms around her. "I know."
"The court is about to start." Mr Kevin broke our hugging and we pulled apart.
"I will see you out there.. Stay strong." Mama whispered with a kiss on my cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too, Mama." She nodded and was directed out the door that she came in. I turned around sadly looking at Ms Lena. She offered her hand and I took it. And we walked out the other door to the courtroom. There was people with cameras everywhere and I was getting more scared. We sat behind Mama and Mr Kevin. Ms Lena never let go of my hand and pulled me close to her as to make me feel more at ease and comfortable. I wish I brought my blanket with me.
"Callie Foster, would you please come up here." I looked at Ms Lena who nodded and let me walk out. Mr Kevin took my hand into his and he walked me over to the stand. "Who are you, Callie?"
"I am Mama's daughter." I replied trying to smile but failed by frowning.
"Tell us what happened before your Mama took you to school." I nodded and reminded myself about what happened. I looked over at Mama who smiled at me but with teary eyes.
"Mama and Daddy were fighting." I replied with honestly and my eyes started to tear up. Another lawyer walked over after a short silence. I looked at her and realised my Grandparents hired her.
"Callie.. Do you remember your Mama threatening anything to your Daddy?" I went back through it and looked at her with a nod.
"She said something about her putting her hands on him and killing him with her bare hands." I replied and felt proud for being honest but heard gasps through the ground.
"Thanks, Callie." The lady told me giving me a warm smile. "That is all." She walked back and I was sent back. Mama offered me a tissue which I took as I brew my nose.
"I love you." She whispered to me before turning back to the court as things were happening that I didn't understand so I stared out the window until I saw Mama standing up.
"Stefanie Marie Foster, you are guilty for murdering your husband, Mike Foster." I looked up at Ms Lena in confusion and then realised it meant Mama killed Daddy. "You will be sent to jail for 10 years."
"10 years?" I heard someone screamed. "Should be for life."
"Callie Foster will be sent to live with Lena Adams with her four kids." The judge continued ignoring the outrage. "Court dismissed." I sat as close as I could to Ms Lena afraid to be near Mama. Mama turned around and saw how scared I was.
"Cal-" She was stopped by someone putting handcuffs on her. "Stop. Wait. Let me talk to her. Please." They stopped trying to move her and she turned her attention back to me. "Callie, I am not a killer." I closed my eyes as tears rolled down my eyes.
"I think you need to go." Ms Lena whispered as she tightened her grip around me keeping me safe. I heard Mama sigh.
"My baby.. I love you." She whispered softly and heard her making a kiss noise but I refused to open my eyes and acknowledge her. "I never killed him." She said before being dragged away.
"She is gone, honey." I opened my eyes and bursted into a fit of tears. "Oh, honey." She placed me in her lap and I cried into her crock of her neck. I will always remember this day.