22 - Coward...

​"Hours and hours went by, and that coward was a no show."

Job 30:17, “The night racks my bones, and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest."(ESV)
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“However, he was too blind to see that the only person making trips and living prints was him.  He claimed they urged him to replace the stolen money with the money of the investors.”

She shook her head in mild disgust and took a big exhale.  “Foolishly, he agreed.  He embezzled the money, went to the exchange site, and as he made the handoff, the FBI swarmed in.” 

“During the trial, one of the witnesses testified that nearly everyone one the scene at least made an attempt to try and scramble away.  Everyone except Juan.  He just fell to his knees and put his hands up.  It was as if, he was kind of ready to end all of it.”

“He was charged with drug trafficking and money laundering within hours. The trial lasted 3 months and absent evidence, he went down all alone.  After the lawyer fees and the investor’s lawsuit, we lost everything.  Can you imagine, those degenerates didn’t even offer to help.  They said, “it wouldn’t be good for investor optics.”  We lost our houses, rental properties, cars, retirement, even the kids college funds.  Just like that.”

Carlos sat silent as Selena starred at the ground.  “How did you feel?”, he asked.

She looked intently at him, “I was angry.  I was beyond angry.  But… he was my husband and in my best attempt to be the GOOD WIFE”, she said sarcastically, “I was committed to staying by his side.” 

She sighed, wiped more tears and continued.  “He was sentenced to 15 years with the possibility of parole in 6.  He was processed and sent straight to the penitentiary.  I didn’t even get to touch him, the kids didn’t get to see him, it all happened really fast and yet really slow all at the same time, if that makes sense.”  Carlos nodded in agreement.

“It felt like death, at that moment, I thought things couldn’t get any worse.  And of course, I was wrong.”

“The first chance I had I went to visit him.  I drove 3 hours to get there, went through that degrading frisk search, and waited in a dirty room for what felt like an eternity.  Hours and hours went by, and that coward was a no show.  I asked the staff what was going on and they said, “He’s not coming.”  Can you imagine that?  After watching me sit there for all of those hours, to then tell me it was for nothing.”  

She laughed and said, “I feel stupid to say that this, but that event would actually go on to happen 3 more times.  After which, I finally grew a brain and called.  I demanded that he speak to me.  He finally answered.  I told him that I loved him and that no matter what we would get through this.”

At this point, Selena was sobbing, “I said, “Juan, please say something!”  He said, in the coldest and deadest voice I’ve ever heard him use, ‘Don’t ever come back here again.’ And hung up the phone. 

A week later, I received the legal envelope, opened it, and learned that he had filed…”

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