Ch.9 The Verdict

"I can't believe you never told me." Carly put a comforting hand on Sam's shoulder. She was still digesting the news that Sam's mother abused her. Sam stifled her tears. "I'm sorry, Carls," she began after composing herself. "I should have told you," she continued. "Shh yeah," Freddie said. His voice was more serious than either girl had ever heard him. Gone was the funny and happy boy they were used to. Freddie couldn't figure it out. Sam was a beautiful young lady. He may have had his differences with her, but the fact that she had suffered such pain was reprehensible to him. And from a parent, no less.

He personally had no idea how she'd hid it so well. As he looked at her face, he noticed her latest bruise. He hoped that it was the last injury she'd ever suffer at the hands of her... he couldn't stomach calling her a mother. "We would have stopped it," he said softly. Sam wiped her eyes. "I know. You guys are the best friends I've ever had." The three friends embraced in a hug. Spencer looked the scene over quietly. He recalled a time several months ago, when Sam had been noticeably limping.

He'd asked her what happened, only to be told she'd sprained her ankle. He hadn't given it a second thought. He realized now, however, that her telling him no when he asked to look at it should have set off an alarm in his head. "Never again," he said to himself. He couldn't believe the courage Sam had shown. "I have to ask you something, and it's important that you tell me the truth," he said. Sam looked him in the eye. "Ask away," she replied.

"How long has this been going on?" he asked. Sam looked at her feet. "Off and on for about three years now," she answered after a moment's pause. Spencer nodded as he took that in. Part of him wanted to inspect Carly for any suspicious injuries. Sam was quick to reassure him. "Look, she never did it around Carly," she said. 'Of course not," Carly thought. She'd had several sleepovers at Sam's house and never knew. "I have a question," she said, looking Sam directly in the eye.

"Does Melanie know?" Sam bit her lip. After a moment's hesitation, she responded, "Yes, Mel helped dress some of my wounds last time she was here." Carly's world began spinning. She could not comprehend how something like this could be happening to her best friend under her nose for so long. "Promise me something," she said after a few minutes. "What?" Sam asked, her voice breaking. She knew she'd hurt Carly's feelings by not telling her. Carly looked right into her tear-stained eyes. "Promise me that if something like this ever happens again, you'll tell us."

Sam wasted no time. "You have my word, Carly," she said. She felt lighter. She'd been hiding this for so long, and now she was finally free. The audience waited in silent anticipation. They did not have to wait long. "All Rise!" the bailiff yelled. Judge Williams took a moment to straighten her robe before sitting. "Be seated," she said. "This was not a difficult decision to make," she began. She wasted no time getting to the point. "It is the ruling of this court that one Samantha Joy Puckett be remanded to the care of one Spencer Shay at the earliest possible convienience." Sam's face wore a smile from ear to ear. "While I have no doubt that Mr. Shay will provide a significantly better environment than her mother, I am reccommending a CPS worker make regular inspections for the next three months, just to make sure everything is in order. We're adjourned."

The audience went up in celebration. Sam looked at the people who made this possible with tears in her eyes. Mary Elizabeth smiled warmly as the two locked eyes. "Thank you," Sam said, although she didn't think she'd be heard in the commotion. Mary Elizabeth responded by nodding ever so slightly. She embraced Spencer in a hug. "Welcome to the family," he said with a laugh. With that, Sam and her friends left the courthouse. It was decided that they would return with Sam to St. Mary's Church to say goodbye to the nuns.

One forty-five minute drive later, and Sam was back at St. Mary's. Carly and Freddie stared open mouthed at the church Sam had been living in. They thought that Sam's mom would have left her in a prisonlike building. "You will come back to visit, won't you?" Mary Helena said with a smile as she hugged Sam for the last time. It hadn't taken long for Sam to gather her belongings. "Of course we will," Sam replied. She shared a hug with Mary Elizabeth. "Thank you, for everything," she said. The older woman nodded. "You are most welcome, child," she replied. "I'll visit soon," Sam said as she got in Spencer's car to go home. Finally, she was free.