Three years of hard work were about to pay off and for those that hurt him, he has something else planned.
Dan was sitting down quietly in his office that he held for over three years. He was going to have to leave it and take his new office. He had gotten the call he was waiting for over a month. The US attorney general just confirmed him as a United States Federal Attorney for the Illinois central judicial district. Years of Law school, Working as a state prosecutor for New York and finally, this. It all finally paid off. Only now he had to pack up all of his shit he accumulated for three years and move it to a new office in a different state. He was going to move back to his home state. The pieces were finely in place for his return. He smiled wide as he looked around his office. His Law degree when he graduted from Harvard University. He looked along his bookshelf at the books he had published. Most of them were books about law and ethics.
He kept up with his family over the long years since he ran away at seventeen and put himself though collage and law school. He knew his mother never moved away and still lived in the same house that she did when he lived there. He knew his sister worked in the same town but she moved away and had her own family. She had one daughter that was fourteen and a son that was six. Well, it was time to make the call so he picked up the phone and dialed his moms number. It rang and then she answered, hello.
It was scary but he answered ,”Hey….Ms. Robens. I am not sure if you remember me. We haven’t spoken in a long time.”
“Dan, is that you there,” She asked.
“Yes, mother it is me.”
“Oh my god it has been so long and I have been so worried about you. Well you just dropped away after that, thing that happened. I didn’t know what happened but I am so glad to hear from you. What is going on?”
“I am coming back and I wanted to see all of you again. I will be there this week can you get Rachael there. I need to speak with her too?”
“Yes your sister works long hours but I am sure she can see us. She finely got her nursing license. I will call her when you give me the time you will be here. What is this all about? “
“Mother you know. Please don’t play dumb. You saw how I was dressed and you came down on me big time, but I am coming back. “ He hung up and then called his assistant in Illinois go be ready and he started packing his stuff into boxed getting ready to move out. This was always the hard part. He felt sad too, he come to really like it here.
He really felt a loss now as he looked around his bare office. His momentos were all gone, in boxes being loaded on a plane. His degrees and books were gone. It was time for him to be gone too. He also had appointments to meet. He walked out and got in his car. He had an appointment with a US government plane that would take him to Chicago.
It was three days of traveling, meetings and other crap until he was finally unpacked and settled in his new office. He looked around his huge new office on a high rise in Chicago. This was living, he told himself. He finely felt like someone. He was a United States attorney. He looked out the window of his office on the 40th floor of a federal building in Chicago. He finally was able to see his family. First, he needed to make some plans so he made a call to the police. He had plans to make, and then, he would see his mother.
After making his frantic plans, and hours of phone calls to police captains, detectives and also judges to swear out a few warrants, he made the call. He dialed his moms number and she picked up again, “Hey mother, it's me again. I am settled in Chicago and plan on going to see you tomorrow. I am just three hours away from your home. I should be there by tomorrow near noon or a little after. Is that good for you and Rachael? I really want to see you. “
“Yes, sure son. I cant wait. She is happy to see you too. She has some things she wants to say. I wish you could tell me what this is all about. “
“I will tell you all tomorrow. “
He smiled as everything was just about set. He felt he was just about to finally redeem himself after the humiliation he went though. Everything was going to be repaid in full with twenty years of interest. This was going to be good, very good.
He went to bed in his new place after several more phone calls to judges and child welfare. Things were really going to be good tomorrow. Everything was finally set and he fell asleep eager for his meeting tomorrow.
He awoke rather late that day. He hated a light room so he brought extra heavy curtains for his bedroom. It might have something to do with his past, but he never looked into that. According to him, psychiatrists and counselors were the evil forces in the modern world. They were like above all accountability for their actions and always acted like they were above everyone else.
One thing that struck him as he was driving the country roads in Illinois was how much farmland there was. Once he was outside of Chicago, things just went into hicksville farmland and miles of it in endless rolls of cornfields.
The town they were in was small by comparison to New York or Chicago. This was A town of around 15,000 people total. He turned into his parents houses driveway and pulled in. Whether he was ready or not, it was time for him to confront his family that had abandoned him and humiliated him.
He talked along the driveway in his neat tailored black suit he wore for special occasions. He was surprised when his mother opened the door and let him in. She moved to hug him but he held out his hand, “No, I wont let you hug me, mother” He spit it out like venom. He twisted the word mother out. She backed away, “Dan, don’t tell me you still hold that grudge. It’s been 20 years.”
“Lets sit down and discuss it, because there are things that you do not know about your daughter and what happened to me. But, for taking her side and not letting me tell you then, I hold you responsible, and accountable. Now sit down!” It was clearly a command.
She walked into the living room with him and they saw Rachael sitting there waiting, with her husband. She sat down beside her daughter as he took a seat at the other end of the room. The silence was thick for a few long seconds until he started the whole thing off.
“Hello there, sis. Its been a long time and I bet you thought it was all over, didn’t you,” he shot out cruelly.
She went back further into her seat, but then stuttered, “Yes Dan. I just wanted you to know that I am sorry for everything. Please accept that and I want you to know that back then, I was a teenager, I was cruel and heartless. I never intended it to go that far. “
His face was bright red now. They could tell he was very very angry. His body shook with anger, “Sorry? Did you say sorry, sister?”
“Yes, I really am!”
“Oh, “ He said mockingly. “That fixes everything. Now I can go back and be all well, can't I? Sorry erases the humiliation I suffered at the hands of your friends. And the abuse I endured after your prank and the pedophile. Yes, everything’s just fine now. “
Her husband spoke up, “Now that’s enough, Dan. She said sorry, so let it drop.”
Dan pointed at him, “I know that you are here, Eric, but you will be well advised to keep your mouth shut. This doesn’t concern you and you believe me, you don’t want to be concerned. Unless you want to become an accessory!”
He looked at Dan and said, “What are you talking about, Dan. Accessory to what?”
“Child abuse, rape, many other charges that I have been talking to the state prosecutors office about, child welfare, the district judge. Many of those people. Do you want to be involved in this, now?” Dan asked him accusingly. “Your name can be easily added to an indictment. “
He really didn’t know what the hell was going on here. Dan saw and answered,” Eric, you didn’t know who you married, did you? You married a sex offender. Oh she isn’t on the official list, yet, but that is about to be corrected. You see, before I came here I called the judge and has a search warrant sworn out. They should be here very shortly to carry It out!”
His mother said, “What have you done, Dan?”
“I am righting a wrong that was done to me many years ago. Rachael should be arrested, as you will too. “ He reached into his briefcase and took a folder out. “Mother, I want you to look at this. These pictures were taken of me by Rachael and her friends. I expect there to be a copy here in the house, because of Rachael. I bet she also has some in her house, and police will find them all and other evidence if I am right. I was wearing that uniform at the forceful prompting of Rachael when she led me into the hands of Mr. Kramer, the next door neighbor at the time, and a abusive pedophile. Of course, no one knew at the time, but I still hold Rachael and you responsible. Both of you will be charged as accessories. I tried to tell you, but you weren't listening to me. You said how ashamed you were of me being dressed that way, without knowing it was Rachael’s beating that did it. She was much older and stronger than I was at the time. You were the parent, you were supposed to protect me, and you failed. I suffered at Kramer's hand for over a year of repeated abuse, and Rachael and her friends increasingly humiliating demands. Rachael. I can't imagine how you are a parent but you will go to prison. Child welfare will take your children. That is the end of the discussion.“
About that time, there was a knock on the door. “Open up, State police we have a warrant.”
^^^^^^
Authors note, this is a very short story that just came to my mind and I put together today. I think it is very good if it is very short. I am curious to know if anyone agrees with me or not or if you think there are areas where I can improve the story. Please remember, I just started writing stuff and I cant get better unless I know where I need to improve at.
Comments
Dan is full of hatred.
RAMI
I am including the following criticism because you asked. Normally, I do not comment negatively about stories.
From a factual point of view, it is likely that the Statute of Limitations on these crimes, if they are crimes has run. It is also unlikely, that someone from NY even if he is an native of Illinois would be appointed the U.S. Attorney for a Federal District in Illinois. His actions are also an abuse of his office. It is doubtful that those legal officials would jump at his request.
Dan's hatred is extreme and of a long duration. While you try and describe his reasons for such long lived hatred, you do not give a deep enough explanation. You skirt (pardon the pun) the issue as to what kind of uniform he was wearing. We must assume, it is some type of girl's clothing. What was it? A Girl Scout Uniform, a cheer leaders uniform or something else? It might be important to know this.
How old were Dan and Rachael at that time? What were her misdeeds? What were her motivations? Why was mom not involved?
Without more backgroud, it is difficult to accept Dan's hatred as being valid.
Your writing skills are good. The story was easy to follow. The transitions between scenes were well done.
I did give it a vote.
Keep up the good work.
RAMI
RAMI
yes they would
of course they would jump to his requests. He is a prosecutor. He swears warrents, orders arrests. But on the other commens I see what you mean now but the other details I will leave to the readers imagination. It was a short story but I do hope, it was enjoyable at the same time
Than you
Statute of Limitations Child Abuse
I googled 'Statutes of Limitations Child Abuse' and As I understand it Federal Statutes for child abuse have no time limits for the life of the child. This may not be a Federal case. Illinios says 20 years after the child turns 18. Exceptions for repressed memory may apply.
As satisfying as revenge might be this abuse of power might be enough to lose the trial or have it thrown out of court. In any case it would be a messy case to try and even winning could cost him his job.
I've been trying to write a story for a couple years but the actual laws don't allow me to get the story to come out right. Keep writing.
yeah I agree
yeah, In the real world there wouldnt be any way they could try this case to get a conviction and hed probably be disbared in humiliation. I wasnt sure where I could take this story after this which is why I didnt go any further. But this is the fiction world, we can imagin he wins in this. being a federal attorney, its no small thing so alot of people wold be kissing his a$$. A little prosecutoral misconduct which every prosecutor may get away with to get convictions from time to time and they go away for 20 or more years. In the fiction world that is :)
Rami said the hate in Dan is extreme but remember childhood sexual abuse is extreme and can cause alot of extreme hate.
Dan Needs
To heal from what happened. Whether or not he can has yet to be seen.
May Your Light Forever Shine
May Your Light Forever Shine
hey
how do I delete this, I didnt mean to put this here
I dont want the story removed, Just this message here. I didnt mean to put this message here.
Reality-based, not real
Even "Law & Order" plays a little loose with reality from time to time. I'd think we could extend the same courtesy to wargamerguy. Besides, while the U.S. Attorney prepares the paperwork, a Federal judge still has to sign off on it before the warrants are executed. So it would seem that one or more judges is satisfied that the information presented is satisfactory for the warrants requested. Being new to the job, he hasn't had time to build up a reputation, nor does he have a backlog of favors to call in.
I would have liked some more detail on what was done to him by his sister while his mother turned a blind eye to what was happening. He obviously has a lot of hatred built up inside. Will this be enough to allow him to put the past behind him?
Yuri!
Yuri!
Good start, but needs work
The story has a good start, but leaves alot of questions unanswered. I would want to know more specific details of the humiliation in order to determine if Dan had gone over the edge with revenge.
More important to me is your need to have someone edit your work. The misspellings and gramatical errors detract from the presentation of your story.
Keep up your efforts.
I agree... good start, but let someone edit.
I am the world's worst at editing my own work, but can do other people's work far easier, as I'm not the one that wrote it. The story has promise, but is rushed through, with long paragraphs in which one runs out of breath and leaves one slightly confused.
Looking back at my early works, I am often appalled at the basic blunders that make me feel ashamed that I ever posted them. But without doing so, and without the feedback, I wouldn't have improved (assuming that I have!)
It is a good story, which could be enhanced by improving the punctuation, grammar and spelling. Because it was a short story and that you asked for help, I read it and stuck by it, but to be honest, as there are so many stories out there, when a piece is lacking the basic presentation, I give up and try something else.
If you ever wanted someone to look over and correct your work, drop me a line.
Tanya
There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!
There's no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes!
The problems I see from all
The problems I see from all this are several. A) Dan is abusing his or is it her position (from the way the conversation with the mother started, I got the impression it was now a she; and office using it to settle personal score(s).
B) He/She will definitely be "outting" him/her self if all this goes to trial. This would most likely cause the Federal Prosecutor position to be pulled from him/her.
C) Other agencies WILL NOT like being "used" as pawns to settle someone's personal
score(s).
This will cause severe friction between the Federal and State/local agencies regardless of how it all comes down. Other than these items, it is an interesting short story.
J-Lynn
A very good start.
I don't know about other states, but there are some states that can overturn the statute of limitations because of one thing or another, and it is on a case by case basis. As a federal attorney he would know the ins and outs of that. The thing is that even after 20 years the Illinois statute of limitations can be overturned in the interest of justice. There have been priests that have been prosecuted long after the statute of limitations ran out, because it involved children. And even though these altar boys were now grown up, the crimes of sexual abuse by the priests could still be prosecued because sex offenses are considered crimes against moral turpitude (or however you spell it) as well as against the dignity, safety, and well being of the victims.
This story begs to be continued because there is way too much of an open ending here. But it is a nice start though.
Love & hugs,
Barbara
"With confidence and forebearance, we will have the strength to move forward."
"With confidence and forbearance, we will have the strength to move forward."
Love & hugs,
Barbara
"If I have to be this girl in me, Then I have the right to be."
Reality and fiction can be the same!
Hi Wargamerguy,
Rightly or wrongly:
You come across as a severly humilated & punished person with revenge as the motivation for your story.
Having it set in the current law system will limit your options.
Why not make it some time time in the future where you can control the scene to suit your revenge! e.g. retrospectively!
You might also include unlimited power as an option, there might also be a twist if you feel like it.
Some times fiction can be as strong as the truth, giving us the message loud and clear!!
Just some thoughts for consideration!
LoL
Rita
Age is an issue of mind over matter.
If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!
(Mark Twain)
LoL
Rita
yes I didnt think about that
you mean a future where we voted away the bill of rights in favor of them protecting us, where we granted police and the state unlimited power. Um thats too scary to even think about and might end up being what really happens
I'm all for making right the
I'm all for making right the wrong that is done but a prosecutorial vendetta would be quashed in short order by the statute of limitations. Very many cases such as his are prosecuted not in court but in the public arena. Such is the case with the pedophile priest of the catholic church in america. Some of those cases were prosecutable but many were not. The catholic church itself had to act and is still even now suffering from the blow to its credibility for not having done so appropriate to the expectations of a wide audience.
In the case of this story
In the case of this story there is no grounds for subverting the statute of limitations unless there are facts to the story the author has not provided in the story. Such might be the case if his sister, now a mother, turns out to be molesting her own children.