“Spencer come back here to my chambers. Court take a recess.”

I stand up and follow her back into her chambers and we sit down. Judge Wilkins always handled my cases and I’m sure this was one she never thought she would have to see.

“Spencer I don’t know how to help you or what to do with you. I’ve known your family since you and glen was born. Not under very good circumstances but every time your dad came here I saw you and glen playing. You kids were so innocent and playful and when you would see your father go, you cried. Now you are the one on the other side of the court room and the only thing that hasn’t changed is that your mother and glen are still the ones crying. What is happening to you?”

“Judge…I don’t know. I won’t give you some sob story and tell you how I’ve lost my way. I get caught up a lot with a lot of bullshit and my simple solution is to drink. It makes me feel better and it takes away my pain. Sorry but my bottles are the only friends that I’ve got.”

“You know what Spencer that is really sad. You are 17 and if you are telling me that the only friend you have is a bottle of rum? Something is really wrong with you.”

“Yeah well nobody is perfect judge. I can’t take back anything that I’ve done. I’d like to promise you and my mom and glen that I won’t drink anymore but that would be a promise I couldn’t keep and I’m sure you are use to hearing those.”

“I am Spencer and that’s why I’m not sending you to jail.”

“What?” She just said she isn’t sending me to jail. I’m a murderer I’m pretty sure that’s where my new home is supposed to be.

“You heard me. I’ve talked with your mother and with jen’s family. We all agreed that you going to jail to rot won’t do you any good. You have demons in you Spencer and your way of dealing is to grab a bottle and knock it back. If I send you to jail I’m just preserving your methods until you get out and I would hate to be dealing with you cases when you are 45 and married with kids like your father. You are going to rehab.”