Chapter 16 - Brandon’s Plea and Sentence
Brandon’s plea had been entered earlier.
Sentence now final after presentence.
The judge considered:
Repeated physical abuse over several months.
Age disparity.
Unlawful confinement.
Threats.
Concealment.
Use of ice packs to hide injuries.
His guilty plea.
No prior felony convictions.
Dad’s enabling.
Brandon’s own admitted choices after Dad told him not to touch Lily.
Effective sentence:
Five years incarceration.
Three years probation after release.
No contact with Lily unless she initiated through formal process after adulthood and supervision approved.
Required batterer/anger intervention and mental-health assessment.
Restitution for documented therapy/medical out-of-pocket costs not covered, modest.
No huge civil award.
Then Brandon’s statement:
“I treated Lily like problem because she threatened something I benefited from.”
Then:
“Dad’s money kept my debts from destroying me.”
Then:
“When she found out, I thought she was ungrateful.”
Ungrateful for her own money.
Then:
“I made her pay for knowing.”
That was honest.
Then:
“I’m sorry.”
Lily did not attend.
We read transcript later only if she wanted.
At eighteen, she did.
She stopped at:
I made her pay for knowing.
“That’s it.”
“What?” I asked.
“That’s why.”
Not because she cried.
Not because she was difficult.
Because she knew.
Then:
“Do you forgive?”
“No.”
Good.
No pressure.
Then Brandon’s debt.
The $18,500 had been paid by Dad from Lily’s account.
Dad restored it via restitution, so Brandon did not owe Lily same $18,500 twice through account.
Could Dad seek contribution?
As part of Brandon’s civil settlement, he agreed to repay Dad $8,000 over time after release? But Dad may not want. Not necessary.
The court did not turn Lily into creditor of every adult.
Her account restored by custodian.
Done.
Then Brandon’s old debt itself gone.
Irony.
He served prison for what followed.
Then one thing I struggled with:
I hated Brandon more than Dad.
Was that fair?
Maybe because Brandon hands-on hurt.
Dad betrayal deeper.
Therapist told me:
“Feelings don't need sentencing guidelines.”
Good.
Then I visited Brandon once.
Why?
He requested and I wanted answer.
At prison.
He smiled sadly.
“Little brother.”
“Don't.”
Then I asked:
“Did you think I’d believe you?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“Because Dad did.”
That hurt.
Then:
“Did you ever plan to hurt me if I found out?”
“No.”
“Would you?”
He paused.
“I don't know who I was then.”
Honest.
Then:
“Why ice packs?”
He looked down.
“Mom always thought it meant care.”
There.
He had weaponized a symbol.
Then:
“Did you enjoy hurting Lily?”
He thought.
“Sometimes I enjoyed winning.”
That was chilling enough.
Then:
“I hated when she was scared afterward.”
“How did you solve that?”
“Brought ice.”
Repair without stopping harm.
Then he cried.
I stood.
“I'm done.”
“Tell her—”
“No.”
I left.
May you like
I never became messenger.
Years later, Lily would decide if she wanted anything from him.
