Chapter 30
Two days before she was to go back to court, Abbey and two of her daughters held a quiet family dinner. Charlie, Doug, Annie and Gus came to the farm for the last family get together before Abbey was sentenced.
Liz and Abbey were alone in kitchen, finishing up the last minute details of the dinner.
"Mom, let me finish cooking. You go in there and be with the rest of the family before…" Liz couldn't finish her sentence.
Abbey went over to her and hugged her tightly. She looked into her oldest eyes. "Liz, you have to say it. You have to say 'before you go to prison'."
"But Mom, I can't. I just can't. This is all so unfair."
"Liz, the jury has spoken. Obviously I disagree with the verdict but for the time being this is what I have to do. And what you have to do is be strong. You have to be strong for Annie and Gus and for Zoey. I know Zoey is hurting but she has refused to talk with me. I'm just so grateful that she wanted to stay this week with me. I'll need those memories in prison."
"Oh, Mom!" Liz dissolved into tears, hanging onto her mother tightly.
"Liz, you have to run the trust and keep watch on the house. I have signed all the legal papers that you'll need. Bill has them all at his office. And you have to watch over our family. You'll have to tell me what's going on. You will have to be my contact with my family. I'm depending on you to do that."
Sniffling, Liz wiped her eyes with her hand and nodded. "I will, Mom. I promise."
"Good."
"Mom, there's something I need to say."
"Sure, what is it?"
"I love you so much and I'll miss you deeply."
Abbey hugged her daughter one more time. "I love you too, sweetie. And Zoey. And Ellie. Liz, is there any way you can talk your sister into coming out here tomorrow? I have to see her. I have to talk with her."
"Mom, I've tried so many times. But I'll keep trying. I really will."
"Thanks. That's the only favor I need right now. I have to make it all okay with Ellie before I go to …go to…" Taking a deep breath, Abbey finished her sentence. "Before I go to prison for the rest of my life."
"Oh, Mom!" Liz dissolved into deep sobs and melted into her mother's arms one more time.
The next day Liz forced Ellie to come out to the farm for a much needed conversation with her mother. As Ellie came up the front steps, Abbey knew by her walk what she was thinking.
"Mom, Liz forced me to come out here. I really don't have anything to say to you." Ellie walked around the living room, trying to stay out of her mother's reach.
But Abbey wanted to touch her. To hug her. "Ellie, hon, I forgive you for reporting me to the sheriff. I know you had a responsibility to do so."
Finally, Abbey held her daughter's hands, looking for forgiveness in her eyes. But it was not there.
She was still angry at her mother for killing her father. And that opinion had only hardened through the course of the trial. There was no way she would ever forgive her mother for what she had done.
"Ellie, at least look at me. I'm going to prison next week. For how long, I don't know. I need to know that you forgive me. The others do."
Ellie looked into her mother's hazel eyes, shadowed by fear and fatigue.
"Mom, you brought this all on yourself. If you had only let Dad die a natural death. I don't know if I can ever forgive you. You made this bed. Now lie in it."
She turned quickly and slammed the front door on her way out. Abbey crumpled onto the floor of the living room and broke into sobs.
"Oh, Ellie! I need you to believe me! I need your love and support for the next few years. But I have lost you forever. Jed, help me through this."