LOVES TRAILS: A JOURNEY OF FORGIVENESS

else. The FBI had just called me. The FBI. Why did they want to talk to me about Dad? My hands we

led her number. The phone ra

?" she asked, her v

it was hard. "I just got a call from the FBI

, and I could hear her breathing q

o make sense of it. "They just said it was urgent. Mom

with fear. "But it doesn't sound good. I'm at the

, but I knew I had to be there. "I'm on my way," I said, al

nything. My mind was filled with thoughts of Dad, the FBI, and

still shaking as I pulled on a clean shirt and pants. I knew I had to look

as in knots, and I couldn't stop thinking about what was waiting for m

ing outside, her face pale and her eyes red from crying.

her voice breaking. "I'

sound strong for her. "What's hap

ith worry. "The trial is still going

owing hard. "Le

inside was thick with tension, and I could feel everyone's eyes on us as we

bench, and there was Dad, sitting in the defendant's chair. He looked older, worn down by everything

udge was speaking, but I couldn't focus on the words. All I could thi

yes narrowing. "Jake Johnson,

n't do this," I said, my voice trembling

y mind. "The court hereby sentences the defendan

oment, then said; Jake, if you are not satisfied

en years. I looked at him sitting there, his face pale and expressionless. He wouldn't

g, that my dad was innocent. But I couldn't mov

e were weeping called my Mom and me, and said, I love yo

tears starting to fall too. It was like everything was falling apart right in

clinging to each other as if that would somehow keep everything from sli

ng in my pocket. I wiped my eyes and looked

ath and answered

school today?" David's voice was full of ener

ht. "David... I'm at the courthouse. Th

end. "Seven years? Jake, I... I do

e to say. Everything felt so overwhelm

softer now. "We're all here for you. Y

o hold back the tears. "I jus

her hands. I knew that from that moment on, nothing would ever be the same. We were abo

ain. A man in a dark suit walked in, his eyes scanning the room before land

kind. "I'm Agent Ralph with the FBI. I will sure have a p

ce. Why was the FBI here? What cou

most grim. "It's about your father. Th