The judge stared down at the young man standing
before him.
“I have half a mind to sentence you to jail time, but I really think you’d be better served with other things,” the judge said. “Seeing as this is your first offense, I’m going to go a little easier on you, because I believe that you want to change your ways.”
Taylor lifted his blue eyes to the judge, waiting for his decision.
“Jordan Hanson, I am giving you a two-year jail sentence, but I’m suspending all of it. I hereby sentence you to 90 days of out patient drug rehabilitation and two year’s probation, part of which will be mandatory weekly drug testing,” the judge ordered.
From the chairs behind him, Taylor’s mother emitted a small cry of relief. Isaac put his arm around her reassuringly and looked at Zac before both brothers closed their eyes in a silent prayer of thanks.
“There’s more,” the judge said, noticing Taylor’s small smile. Taylor snapped to attention.
“I also order you to serve 800 hours of community service, wherever the court deems necessary. You will donate a monthly sum to a drug abuse prevention program in addition to your court fees for the duration of your probation. When you have completed your outpatient therapy you will act as a speaker for drug abuse prevention in area high schools for a period of not less than one year.”
Taylor nodded. “Thank you, your honor.”
The judge looked at Taylor with steely eyes. “I don’t want to see you here again,” he told Taylor. “Ever. If I do, I guarantee you’re going to be taking up residence in a cell. You will serve time from this sentence if I see you again for any reason. I’m talking so much as a parking violation. Any brush with this law nullifies your probation. Do I make myself clear?”
Taylor’s eyes grew wide. “Absolutely.”
The judge brought his gavel down with a crack, and Taylor collapsed in his chair.
Diana, Walker, Isaac and Zac surrounded Taylor.
“God, what a relief!” Isaac exclaimed.
Taylor rose from the chair and hugged his older brother. “You’re telling me. I don’t know what we put in those prayers last night, but whatever it was, it worked.”
Walker shook his head. “You’re very, very lucky, son.”
Taylor nodded. “I know that, Dad.”
When the family returned to the Hanson’s house, Iris, Jessica and Avery had their faces pressed against the front window as soon as they heard the car drive up. The younger children had all been sent to daycare or school, while Taryn waited with the older girls on pins and needles.
“He’s with them!” Iris shrieked.
Taryn covered her mouth with both hands and let out a heavy breath. She felt like she hadn’t been able to breathe all morning. “Thank God,” she said quietly.
The girls raced down the sidewalk and accosted Taylor. “Hey, hey, careful,” he said. “I’m still pretty fragile.”
Avery’s brown eyes filled with tears. “Is everything okay?”
Taylor smiled. “As long as I keep my nose clean.”
“But that’s not going to be a problem, right?” Jessica asked sternly.
“All I can promise, Jess, is that I’m going to do my best. But I feel like I have a lot on my side,” Taylor said honestly.
The crowd of Hansons entered the house. Taryn hugged Taylor. “I am so relieved,” she said.
Taylor raised his eyebrows and nodded. “No more so than me.”
Everyone sat down in the living room.
“What did you get?” Taryn asked.
“Bunches of stuff. But none of it’s jail, so I’m more than happy to do all of it,” Taylor said.
“Like what?” Taryn asked.
“Um, let’s see,” Taylor said. “Two years probation with weekly drug testing, 90 days outpatient rehab, 800 hours of community service ….:” Taylor looked at his brothers. “What else?”
“Fines and costs,” Isaac added. “And you have to donate money every month during your probation to drug abuse prevention programs.”
“Oh, and there’s that thing where you have to be a speaker at high schools after your therapy is over with,” Zac reminded Taylor.
Taryn nodded. “All much more appealing than jail,” she said.
Taylor smiled. “You got that right.”
Diana rose. “Well, I’m starving,” she said. “I haven’t had much of an appetite since this whole thing started. Taryn, you want to come help me put together some lunch?”
Taryn smiled. “Sure.”
Taylor got up from his chair. “I’m going to the bathroom to clean up.”
Taylor jogged up the stairs to the bathroom that adjoined the room he used to sleep in with Isaac and Zac. He closed the door softly behind him and looked at himself long and hard in the mirror.
Shit, man, he thought to himself. You need to get your act together. You look like hell. How could you do this to yourself?
Taylor shook his head. Cut it out, Taylor, he thought. No more beating yourself up.
Taylor went to the bathroom. He washed his hands and took a spoonful of Pepto Bismol to calm his churning stomach. The nausea was getting better, but when he was particularly stressed it still flared up.
Taylor took his smooth hair out of its ponytail, combed it out and tied it back again. He washed his face and caught his own blue-eyed gaze in the mirror.
“Okay, Taylor,” he said out loud to his reflection. “This is it. Here’s your second chance. Don’t you go fucking it up.”
He gave himself an encouraging smile and a wink before going downstairs to join his family for lunch.
