Philip Dampier's Blog

Episode 5

“You said they made you do terrible things. What do you mean, terrible things?”

“You know, sexual things. Billy couldn’t stand it. That’s why he killed himself.”

“No, Hannah! I thought it was an accidental overdose.”

“No, Ma’am. He couldn’t handle the beatings or the…”

Hannah was unable to finish the sentence. Tears were followed by sobs, and before either of them knew it, Mary Elizabeth enveloped Hannah in her arms again.

If these accusations were true or even partially true, then something had to be done and done right away. But what? She was an ex-con, on parole; who would listen to her? It was Sunday, none of the state offices were opened. If she took Hannah with her, they might accuse her of kidnapping and with her record that would mean a long time in prison.

She let go of Hannah so that she could open her purse. She removed the cheap cell phone from its pocket and looked at her contacts. Angus Cauthen was listed near the top. She pushed the call portion of the screen. Angus was her parole officer and was supposed to be available if she needed him. She certainly needed him.

Ten minutes later Hannah was telling Angus her story. With each sentence, his face grew darker, and his eyes narrowed to slits. When Hannah was finished, he straightened up and took his cell phone from off his belt. Angus studied the contact list and made a call. It was a call which would change the lives of all three people standing by the wall.

Angus looked at Mary Elizabeth. He had not really taken a good look at her before, but it was obvious that her encounter with Hannah had changed her. She looked softer to him than when they had visited in the office, and there was no doubting the concerned for someone else that owned her face. His gaze also took in Hannah, her face streaked with tears but nonetheless a face that looked just like Mary Elizabeth.

He thought about his own situation. Thirty-three and divorced. No children and no significant other. After his wife left him, he had given up on women and pretended to like living alone. Looking at the two tearful people before him he suddenly realized that he was lonely just like the two of them. He would do all he could to help bring the two of them together, and then he would see if there was a way he could fit in.

The social worker on call arrived a few minutes later, and she too heard Hannah and Mary Elizabeth’s story. She did not seem shocked at all but just nodded her head as she listened. It was a familiar story to her. When they were finished talking the HRS agent told Hannah to get in the back seat of her car.

She looked at Mary Elizabeth and spoke, “You can follow me to the office if you like. I will have to put Hannah in temporary custody in a safe place. I will be happy to put your case before the juvenile judge for consideration of permanent custody. I’m not sure how that will work out, though.”

In the weeks that followed Angus saw more of Mary Elizabeth than any of his other parolees. He knew he was becoming involved and attached but couldn’t stop himself. Finally, he went to his supervisor and requested to have Mary Elizabeth transferred to another patrol officer.

When his supervisor heard the reason, he shook his head. “Not a good idea Officer Cauthen, not a good idea at all.”

In spite of that warning, the transfer was made, and Angus went to Mary Elizabeth’s workplace and told her. He also asked her to go to supper with him that night. She said yes.

A whirlwind romance ensued as two lonely people found comfort and love in each other’s company. The two of them found they had many things in common and the greatest of these was a desire to have Hannah out of foster care and in a real home. The social worker arranged for Mary Elizabeth to visit Hannah and those visits quickly bridged the gap of a lost decade.

The Johnsons were brought to trial and based on the taped testimony of Hannah were convicted of child abuse, sexual abuse and the judge added that he wished they could be tried for the death of Billy Willis. The judge felt sure they were guilty even if they did not actually take his life. It was no surprise that he gave them the maximum sentence.

Hannah did well in her new foster home, not only because the family was kind and loving but because she now had hope of having a real home with her own mother. She had quickly fallen in love with Angus who felt the same way about her. The court, however, seemed reluctant to move in favor of giving Mary Elizabeth custody.

Mary Elizabeth blossomed. Her personality underwent a complete one hundred and eighty degree turn around. Part of it was due to courtship with Angus, but the majority came from the love rekindled by having Hannah in her life. The desire to be with Hannah grew with every visit. Mary Elizabeth got the new job and then a long-awaited moment came.

Her five year probation period finally ended. Angus and Hannah joined her for a major celebration. They went to Mary Elizabeth’s favorite Italian restaurant and Angus order gelato for dessert. Then he handed her a small black box, a special gift, he said. Mary Elizabeth’s eyes went wide when she opened it, and then they filled with tears.

“Will you?” Angus asked.

“O, Yes,” was the answer.

All eyes were on the bride and groom in the simple ceremony held in the judge’s office, and so they missed the happiest face which happened to be standing next to the bride. Just before the vows began, the judge had whispered in Hannah’s ear. “When they return from their honeymoon, I’m placing you in the custody of your mother.” And so, “Joy comes with the morning.”

THE END