She knew him so well. She never could have imagined that this was how it would end, no one could have. It took them over a decade to finally realize the truth. One day she looked up from her cup of coffee, and suddenly it was so clear to see. The truth was finally out in the open. She was his whole life, his every breath. She was her protector, the one who would never allow any harm to come of her. But that was then...
Seasons change, and so do people. Their love was undying, but reality wasn't as happy as a fairy tale. Nothing came easy for them, but they were stuck together like glue, because there wasn't anything they couldn't get through, together. At least that was what they thought. He thought he could keep her safe, that he could protect her from the world.
Years had passed, and it seemed as if he had come to the end of the road. He wasn't sure that he could survive without her. He was someone who had loved and lost. But there was one thing, one breath that kept him going. She was gone, but he would do it for her. He would do anything for her.
2016
The gavel hits the wood. He returns to the present. He looks up at the judge from behind a heavy wood table. "All rise," the judge orders. He is uncuffed, obviously not a danger to anyone but himself. He turns his head briefly, looking behind him. A boy of five sits on the bench behind him, dressed in blue. The little boy holds back his tears. Staring at the man, the monster who took his mother from him, his father.
The boy casts his eyes downward as his father looks at him. The man turns around to face the judge. The judge clears his throat, and swallows his pride.
"Mr. Goren on the charge of second degree murder how do you plea?"
He doesn't hesitate, "Guilty," he answers.
The court room is silent for a moment. Bobby hears a quiet voice behind him whispering, "I hope they kill you."
His hearts sinks, as his eyes travel back up, to meet the judges. It didn't matter what anyone else said, or did to him. He had lost her, and now, he had lost the only other person who ever mattered. They could torture him everyday for the rest of his life, and it would never be enough. It would never relieve the pain.
Looking back his father wasn't really to blame. He would have done the same thing. If his wife had been suffering, he would have done the same. As he enters the jail he can't help but wonder how things would have been differently if one moment had gone different.
2036
The guard leads him in, and he takes a seat across from the man who was supposed to be his father. He knew this would probably be the last time that he would ever see him. He probably wouldn't make it through another winter. Winter was always the hardest for the both of them.
"I'm surprised to see you," Bobby admits as the young man takes a seat across the table from him.
"I can't ever forgive you for what you did."
"Neither can I, and I wouldn't expect you to."
"But now, I understand why you did it."
"I'm sorry to have robbed you."
"You didn't rob me. I never would have known her," he admits.
"I'm sorry son. I know that it doesn't mean much, but I am."
"I know she never wanted to live that way, but..."
"I'm sorry," Bobby repeats.
The young man on the other side of the table tries not to cry.
"She would have been so proud of you."
He turns away.
"Son... I know that you are ashamed to have me as a father. I know that you are ashamed to share my name. I'm sorry that..."
"Stop. I know that you're sorry. I didn't come here for an apology. I just wanted to let you know that I was really angry at you for a very long time. I realize now that I needed you just as much as I needed her."