Read Online First Degree Innocence by Ginger Simpson - Free Book Online
Authors: Ginger Simpson
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daughters existed.
Susanna heaved a loud sigh. “I wish I had heeded my brothers’ warning. Doug was the biggest mistake of my life. Now that I look back on it, he never loved me like I loved him, he just wanted someone to fetch and carry for him. I think I broke my mom’s heart when I moved in with him.”
“Where did you meet?”
“In high school, of all places. He left during our senior year then came back about three years later. He was so smooth and good-looking; he swept me off my feet. I had plans to go to college, but never got there. Instead, I got a job as a health aide at a local nursing home with the intent of becoming a licensed vocational nurse.”
“That’s a good profession.”
“It would have been if I could have paid for it. All my wages went up Doug’s nose, and it didn’t take long before depression wore me down and I started using. I even lost my job. Then, of course, you know the rest of the story. The cops came, found the stash Doug had just acquired to sell, and he so lovingly blamed the whole thing on me, claiming he was just an innocent victim.”
Carrie detected the hurt in her friend’s voice. “That must have been horrible.”
“It was. I felt like a low-life loser. I’d never been in trouble with the law, but just like you, I couldn’t buy some fancy-pants lawyer to get me off with a slap on the wrist. So here I am, my first offense, wiling away fifteen years of my life in this hellhole. My only solace is that I had evidence to prove that Doug was the real dealer. I knew the name of his supplier and the police bargained with him to sell out Doug. I’m pretty sure he’s not enjoying life any more than I am, at least I don’t think so. He got double my sentence.”
“Then I guess there’s some justice with the law.” Carrie rolled onto her back and stretched, stifling a yawn. “At least you have the pleasure of knowing the real culprit is paying for his crime. I can’t stop thinking about how those who actually robbed the bank are still out there, foot loose and fancy-free, while I’m here for something I didn’t do. It makes me sick. I had plans for my life, too, and it sure as hell didn’t involve prison.”
“What kind of job did you have?”
“I’ve always been good with people and numbers, so I landed an apprenticeship with a marketing company. The money wasn’t there in the beginning, but it had promise. It was something I had to work my way into. As ideas were introduced to the firm, my job was to research the viability of the product, so I spent a lot of time with a clipboard, polling people for their opinions. Afterwards, I compiled the data into projected earnings and presented it to the board of directors for their decision. I really loved what I did… and I had hopes.” Old anger resurfaced and Carrie’s eyes brimmed with tears. She used her sleeve to dry them.
“Do you ever think of getting married and having children?” Susanna asked.
“Of course, don’t most girls? I haven’t found a guy I connected with. Or slept with. Oh, I suffered through several cases of puppy love in junior high, and had a real crush on Guy Frasier in high school, but the creep didn’t even ask me to the prom. We went out a few times then he dumped me because I wasn’t easy enough for him. I’m not going to admit how few dates I’ve been on, but every guy had his own agenda, and sex was at the top of the list. When and if I get married it’s going to be to someone who thinks I’m worth the wait.”
Susanna’s chortle sliced the momentary silence. “Still a virgin? My God, how rare is that? I envy you being smart enough to withstand the pressures. Doug wasn’t my first, but I hoped he’d be my last. What a fool I was.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I have no money, my car was impounded, I’ve lost the lease on my apartment, and I’m pretty sure I was fired from my job. It seems that my virginity is all I have.”
“Well, aren’t we a couple
Susanna heaved a loud sigh. “I wish I had heeded my brothers’ warning. Doug was the biggest mistake of my life. Now that I look back on it, he never loved me like I loved him, he just wanted someone to fetch and carry for him. I think I broke my mom’s heart when I moved in with him.”
“Where did you meet?”
“In high school, of all places. He left during our senior year then came back about three years later. He was so smooth and good-looking; he swept me off my feet. I had plans to go to college, but never got there. Instead, I got a job as a health aide at a local nursing home with the intent of becoming a licensed vocational nurse.”
“That’s a good profession.”
“It would have been if I could have paid for it. All my wages went up Doug’s nose, and it didn’t take long before depression wore me down and I started using. I even lost my job. Then, of course, you know the rest of the story. The cops came, found the stash Doug had just acquired to sell, and he so lovingly blamed the whole thing on me, claiming he was just an innocent victim.”
Carrie detected the hurt in her friend’s voice. “That must have been horrible.”
“It was. I felt like a low-life loser. I’d never been in trouble with the law, but just like you, I couldn’t buy some fancy-pants lawyer to get me off with a slap on the wrist. So here I am, my first offense, wiling away fifteen years of my life in this hellhole. My only solace is that I had evidence to prove that Doug was the real dealer. I knew the name of his supplier and the police bargained with him to sell out Doug. I’m pretty sure he’s not enjoying life any more than I am, at least I don’t think so. He got double my sentence.”
“Then I guess there’s some justice with the law.” Carrie rolled onto her back and stretched, stifling a yawn. “At least you have the pleasure of knowing the real culprit is paying for his crime. I can’t stop thinking about how those who actually robbed the bank are still out there, foot loose and fancy-free, while I’m here for something I didn’t do. It makes me sick. I had plans for my life, too, and it sure as hell didn’t involve prison.”
“What kind of job did you have?”
“I’ve always been good with people and numbers, so I landed an apprenticeship with a marketing company. The money wasn’t there in the beginning, but it had promise. It was something I had to work my way into. As ideas were introduced to the firm, my job was to research the viability of the product, so I spent a lot of time with a clipboard, polling people for their opinions. Afterwards, I compiled the data into projected earnings and presented it to the board of directors for their decision. I really loved what I did… and I had hopes.” Old anger resurfaced and Carrie’s eyes brimmed with tears. She used her sleeve to dry them.
“Do you ever think of getting married and having children?” Susanna asked.
“Of course, don’t most girls? I haven’t found a guy I connected with. Or slept with. Oh, I suffered through several cases of puppy love in junior high, and had a real crush on Guy Frasier in high school, but the creep didn’t even ask me to the prom. We went out a few times then he dumped me because I wasn’t easy enough for him. I’m not going to admit how few dates I’ve been on, but every guy had his own agenda, and sex was at the top of the list. When and if I get married it’s going to be to someone who thinks I’m worth the wait.”
Susanna’s chortle sliced the momentary silence. “Still a virgin? My God, how rare is that? I envy you being smart enough to withstand the pressures. Doug wasn’t my first, but I hoped he’d be my last. What a fool I was.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself. I have no money, my car was impounded, I’ve lost the lease on my apartment, and I’m pretty sure I was fired from my job. It seems that my virginity is all I have.”
“Well, aren’t we a couple
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