Out in the hall, Clisty
noticed a man in a black business suit standing off to the side, watching her
prepare to interview. She didn’t recognize the on-looker as one of those who
frequently waited outside the courtroom during the trial. She put curiosity
aside, focused on her job and held the microphone out to Jake. “Detective Jake
Davis, if you have time, can you give our viewers your reaction to the jury’s
decision?”
Jake moved in close to Clisty. “I think it’s
great, and I’m sure we’re all happy that the verdict came in so fast. That was especially
good for all those affected by Ezra Stratton’s actions. Sometimes, trials drag on
for months and the deliberations stretch on and on some more. That re-inflicts
additional pain on the victims involved. Every day they have to sit in the
courtroom and see the evil face of the one who harmed them. The brave people in
this trial didn’t have to wait.” He paused, looked into the camera lens and
pronounced with certainty, “And, justice was served.”
“Thank you Detective,” Clisty said. Jake
touched her hand as he stepped away. When the door swung open and Faith came
out, Clisty caught her eye and smiled. Faith walked over, within the interview
circle.
“As most of you know,” Clisty said as she spoke
into the camera, “this is Faith Sterling Stratton, the woman who was kidnapped
as a child, and held in an upstairs room in Illinois for eighteen years.” Most
of us would demand the most severe punishment for all those involved. She
turned to her friend, “Is there anything you would like to say to our news
audience, Mrs. Stratton?”
Faith embraced her friend. “Thank you,
Clisty.” She reached for the microphone as her brows started to knit together. She
cleared her throat and seemed to try to relax her expression along with her
emotions. With her hand to her face, she whispered. “I want everyone to know, Clisty,
you looked for me when I could only leave a tiny clue that I was back. You
remembered enough of the little girl who was lost for so long, that you
recognized a frightened woman when she returned.” Faith struggled with tears
that caught in her throat. “My parents are wonderful and have pledged to help
my daughter and me for as long as we need their help. We will always need their
love.” She stopped when Emily Stratton came out into the hall. Faith didn’t
flinch, but reached out and put her arm around the woman. “Come over here, Emily,”
she said as she squeezed Emily’s shoulder. “I have to let the viewers know, my
daughter finally has a real paternal grandmother. Emily was as much a victim of
Ezra Stratton as I was, as my husband, Steven was, too.” She kissed Emily’s
cheek. “I know, when Emily’s spirit heals, she and Pooky will enjoy many good times
together. My parents have told her she is welcome to visit in their home.”
Faith kissed Emily again as the woman sobbed.
“I …” Emily tried to speak. She looked up at
Faith and patted her on the face. “I know you are Faith Sterling, but you will always
be my Joselyn. I love you … and I vow to never use that name again. I am so
sorry for everything, Faith” she said as her whole body slumped as she walked
on.
Faith looked at the camera and continued. “Today
is about justice being served. Some will never receive justice equal to the
crimes that have been committed against them. I don’t know yet how many years Ezra
Stratton will be in prison, but eighteen years would not be too many for me.
The man was depraved-evil at the door, not the guardian at the gate” Then she clutched
the microphone, her knuckles taunt and her jaw set, “And, that man needs to
know … I am not broken, nor am I silent. I will speak out against emotional and
physical abuse any time it rears its ugly head. And, it’s ugly head has just been
found guilty!”
Clisty put her arm around Faith and gave her
a sideways hug. “Anytime you need a really big voice to share your message of
love over abuse, Faith, you have a platform at WFT-TV.”
Faith hugged Clisty again as the Sterlings
came out. They met up at the microphone. “We are leaving our sorrow and anger
right here,” Ralph said. “We’re going home now to celebrate family.”
The camera lights went out and all was
silent for a moment. “That was wonderful, Clisty,” Becca said softly. “That
will be great footage during the late night news. But, it’s more than that; it
was the right story to pursue.”
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