twenty four

"IN THIS CAUSE, came the State of Arizona, represented by Assistant District Attorney Anna Sittin and Defendant Autumn Jones in her own person, and represented by counsel, Rickell Wright, in open court, and the cause being called, the Court finds and adjudges as follows:

The Defendant having been indicted and arraigned and having entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of First Degree Arson, as shown in the indictment in this cause, and the case having come on for trial, whereupon both the State and Defendant announced ready for trial, and a jury consisting of twelve good and lawful citizens of the Second Judicial District of Maricopa County, Arizona, were accepted by both the State and the Defendant and having becn specially swom to try the issues joined, and after deliberating returned the following verdict"

I rub my hands awaiting the answer.

"We, the jury. find the Defendant not guilty"

A bunch of yes's erupt behind me as I sit in my seat still, rubbing my hands.

"Following the verdict, the jury was polled and indicated that the above verdict was unanimous.

IT IS, THEREFORE, ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the Defendant is adjudged to be not guilty of the charge of First Degree Arson, and this cause is finally dismissed". Judge Hughes bangs her gravel and gets up.

I stand up to shake hands with Rickell.

"We'll be suing for defamation of character. Keep in touch" she says letting go and grabbing her bag.

The officer removes the cuffs from my hands and I soothe my wrists, rubbing them.

"Follow us this way, we'll get you processed and released" an older black officer says as she holds her hand out guiding me where to go.

I look to my family who's now standing and waving me over.

Ma's hands are clasped in each other as she kisses them and Je'Mari was dapping up Charlie.

Where's Ty'Elle- I begin to ask myself but i see her walking out of the door. My heart shatters at the sight of her not even looking back.

I knew this shit was gonna happen. I didn't want her to like me cause i didn't want to be hurt. I hang my head lowly while following the older officer.

I have a silent ride back to the prison to pick up all of my belongings and sign papers.

Beep.

I stand still watching the steel gate slowly slide open in front of me.

"Jones" officer Donaho calls out behind me.

"Do great things for me" she winks. I give her an encouraging smile and walk to my well awaited and deserving freedom.

"Babyyyyy" ma drags out being the first one to embrace me. I melt into her hug. Her soft skin and coconut vanilla scent comforts me.

"You look good" she admires stepping back and rubbing my head.

"Don't lie mama" i chuckle grabbing her hand and kissing it.

"Ok. You look bad. Scrawny. And look at this hair"

"Dang ma. I didn't say read me down"

"You said don't lie. It's ok, we gonna get you taken care of" she agrees and wraps her arm over my shoulder and leads me towards Ty's S.U.V.

"Hey kid" Charlie pops out of the car hugging me gently but full of love.

"Let me go before i cry. You too good Charlie" i say hugging him back. He places a small kiss of my forehead and lets me go.

Before i could fully unhook from Charlie, let alone turn around, arms were thrown over me. I turn around in his grip and hug him tightly.

"You must've really missed me. Yan never hugged me this tight. You love me" i pick with Je'Mari.

"Nah. I just ain't have no one to pick with"

"Mari please"

"Damn li nigga i miss you"

"I know" i hug him tighter once more before pulling away.

Charlie opens the door and my heart beat picks up. I haven't seen her, let alone be close with her in a long time.

Getting in, my heart beats stops. No Ty.

I scoot over allowing my mom and mari to get in.

"No Ty?"

"She went to the airport. Had to get home"

I shake my head. I understand. She has bigger things to worry about. She shouldn't have worried about me to begin with.

My mom squeezes my hand encouragingly and I smile for her.

"Ma?"

"Wassup baby?"

"Promise me we won't spend anymore time here. If we're driving back, can we start now?"

"We're on the way to the airport after you eat"

"Nah, just straight to the airport. I'll save my appetite for a home cooked meal"

She nods and pats my thigh.

I rest my head on her shoulder. At ease, at peace.

"Come on baby, we're home" Ma says patting my thigh.

"Come on, let me wash and deep condition you" she says patting the counter in front of her as soon as we step foot in the house.

Without rebutting, i undress from my outside clothes and climb onto the counter.

She plays with the water knobs adjusting the temperature as I lay down, deeply inhaling and exhaling.

"Sit up" she semi-demands breaking me from my trance.

I sot up confused.

"What's wrong Nana? And don't say nothing because I know my child and God so help me, I will strangle you if you say 'I'm fine mom. Just tired'" she mocks me almost perfectly, I laugh.

"So.." she asks popping the plastic beige comb against the sink to remove the water.

"Nothing ma. Seriously"

She reaches her hand around my neck and playfully chokes me.

"Seriously chick. What's wrong?"

"I'm bothered that Ty'Elle didn't even dare to show up when I was released. Or in court she li before I could even turn around. She's not even here. Not even a call" I start spilling.

"But I can't even be mad ma because I told her to stay away. I told her to leave. I can't be mad but I am. I'm livid because I love her" I pout about to cry.

"So go" ma says plainly and folding up the towel.

"What? Huh?" I ask genuinely confused.

"Go see her and tell her about herself" she encourages.

"Ma I can't just show up at her place"

"Why can't you"

"What if she's not there"

"If you have a case you want to prove so badly, you wait on her to get back" she shrugs collecting the shampoo and conditioner.

"You not gonna wash my hair?"

She puts the bottles down.

"You go right now and when you come back, I'll have you a nice home cooked meal, your shower set up and bed covers washed and made comfortable for you to get in. Deal?" She asks with her hand on hip.

I bite the inside of my check and then nod my head.

"Take the car" she tosses her keys to me.

I take them subconsciously and walk out of the door.

Being acquitted helps my case of being able to drive again.

I start up the car and pull out, on my mission to a clear mind.

"Autumn?" Charlie asks confused as I walk down the hallway to Ty'Elles penthouse.

"Yeah. Is Ty here?" I ask confidently and speed walking. The quicker I get this done, the quicker my conscious is clear.

"Ye- No. I think you should come back later" he says meeting me halfway then slowing me down.

"Nonsense. This'll be quick, I promise" I reply back truthfully dodging his lengthy arm and reaching to knock.

Knock knock knock*

"Come in nigga. Fuck you knocking for" Ty shouts inside of the apartment. She must think im Charlie.

"I don't think you should go in th-" Charlie starts and I scrunch my eyebrows in confusion.

I reach for the knob but the door is snatched open before I could touch it.

"Autumn?!" Ty'Elle asks she searches my with her eyes and I do the same. I lick my lips but then pinch myself to focus on what I came here for.

"Ty'Elle. I completely agree understand why you left. Why you're done with me. I do but what I don't understand is why you stayed to begin with. Like I told you from the beginning to leave me alone but you didn't, you made me fall in love with you-" I begin to ramble as I step inside uninvited but I notice red balloons and rose petals.

"Am I interrupting something?" I ask biting my cheek and crossing my arms across my chest insecurely.

A woman, looks to be around Ty's age, Columbian maybe European with dark brown hair and brown eyes appear from the back room barefoot and in a pencil skirt and button up.

"I am. Sorry" i apologize and walk out of the door

••

Soo Autumn freee, yall happy?

How yall feel about Je'Mari?

& Charlie?

I want them two to have genuine relationships with Autumn.

Also, I cannot promise and update everyday during the weekday guys. I have college applications and all that. This shit stressful. If you going through it as well or anything, just know that God got you !

Psalms 34:19 ❤️