Altered Fates - Only the Strong Can Forgive - 4
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Altered Fates - Only the strong can forgive - 4
By Danielle J
"Before you go home, we have to get you out of that thing," Regina said
pointing to Loc's wheelchair. "You can't have your mother pushing you
around always."
Soon enough Loc was out of her wheelchair. Standing up with a walker in
front of her and Regina alongside.
"See the door over there?"
"Yes."
"Before you can go home, you'll need to walk there and back."
"I can't make it that far yet."
"Let's see how far you can go. I'm here to catch you if needed."
Loc started walking. Slow steps, small steps. One foot after the other,
inching the walker forward with each step.
"You're doing great sweetheart. Keep going," Julie Metzger said.
The pain was increasing again but Loc kept walking.
"Keep going sweetheart. You're doing wonderful," Julie said to
encourage her daughter.
"Anyone call you Lucky?" Regina asked Loc as she continued inching
forward.
"My grandmother and my sister. Why?"
"Because you're lucky to have a Mom like you do. I can tell how much
she loves you."
"I love my Mom too." Loc got about two thirds of the way to the door
before almost stumbling. Regina was there to catch her.
Loc was then allowed to sit down and take a brief rest. Walking wasn't
the only way Loc would rebuild the strength in her damaged right ankle
and recover from her fractured pelvis. There were other exercises to
do. Both with Regina and later in her room when alone with her mother.
If Loc continued making progress, she could begin going home for
weekend visits in September. That became Loc's goal. She wanted to be
back to a normal life as soon as possible.
*****
On the same late August day that saw Loc Metzger getting lessons on
makeup from her mother, David Lee was feeding the last calculations
into a automobile crash simulation program. When done Lee would have a
very clear picture of what happened on a June 1993 night outside of
Wilmington North Carolina.
David already had a good guess what the simulation would tell him.
After the numbers were inputted, the simulation program began to run.
"Just what I thought," David Lee said after the program ended. He would
double, triple, and even quadruple check his work again. When don,
David would write a report for his client. It was certain to not please
the people who paid for Professor Lee's work, but David always
considered discovering the truth more important than making a customer
happy. He had professional scruples and principles not to mention a
conscience. David Lee could sleep at night knowing that unlike some
other professional experts aka guns for hire, he hadn't fudged a report
or outright lied in order to make a buck.
*****
The Friday after Labor Day was Loc's homecoming day. Doctors had deemed
the teenager strong enough to go home on weekends. It would only be a
two day visit, for Loc would need to be back for rehab on Monday. Still
the entire Metzger family was thrilled their
daughter/sister/granddaughter was coming home.
Loc was also thrilled at the prospect of being anywhere other than a
hospital or rehabilitation center for the first time in three months.
She was apprehensive too, for Loc wasn't going to her true home but to
the house of Jeff Lockwood's deceased girlfriend.
Three months had passed and Loc was in deep personal turmoil. Sure she
could now found out if the necklace was still in the jewelry drawer.
But if Loc did find it there,(Assuming it hadn't disappeared or gotten
lost) what was she to do next? Everyone believed Jeff Lockwood to be
dead.
Loc was beginning to feel trapped or cornered. This was precisely what
the teen was thinking as Tom Metzger pushed the wheelchair his daughter
was in out to the curbside. The Metzger family mini-van was parked
there and ready to take Loc home.
"I'm so happy you're finally coming home Princess," the father said
with tears in his eyes.
"Me too Daddy," Loc told her father. Could she ever tell Tom Metzger
the truth? If Loc did, she'd break the man's heart.
Julie Metzger was already putting Loc's things in the van. They
consisting mostly of the teen's medications and a few odds and ends
from her room. "Are you all set sweetheart?"
"Yes Mom." With a helping hand from her father, Loc stood up. With both
Metzgers helping her, Loc got into the mini-van. She'd again be sitting
lengthwise on the mini-van's back seat.
Both Tom and Julie made sure their daughter was comfortable before
getting in the mini-van themselves. The drive to Wilmington would take
approximately an hour.
The van got to the Metzger home at a few minutes before six p.m. and by
that time Loc was absolutely starved and in need of a bathroom to boot.
She regretted both not going potty and asking her parents to buy her a
snack before leaving Shields.
"We're home," Tom Metzger said to Loc after sliding open the side van
door. "Let me have your hand Princess."
Loc was helped out of the van by both her parents. The teen's walker
was already set up and waiting for her.
"Hi Lucky," Kathy Metzger yelled as she ran up to greet her sister.
"Welcome home."
"Thanks," Loc said as she began her way up the sidewalk. Each step
producing pain. Her right ankle and pelvic injuries were still healing
and would be for some time.
Being anywhere but a hospital felt good to Loc. Wilmington is still
Wilmington, the home of Jeff Lockwood and Loc Metzger both for over ten
years.
Loc was trying hard to make it to the Metzger front door on her own.
She wanted to do it, but the pain was increasing with every step she
took. That was causing Loc to walk even slower.
'How much longer will I be like this?' Loc asked herself again. The
doctors had no definitive answer. Their estimates ranging from four to
eight more months. Loc's ankle would need at least one more operation
and more likely two.
"You feeling ok Princess?" Tom Metzger asked his daughter.
"It hurts," Loc replied back.
"Let me help you then." Tom said as he motioned for his wife to take
the walker away from Loc. The teen was about to protest, when Tom
Metzger placed an arm in below Loc's buttocks and then whisked her up
into the air.
"Daddy," Loc said. She felt so embarrassed to be carried like this. "I
could have made it on my own."
"Yes Princess," Tom Metzger said before winking an eye at his daughter.
"But your grandmother may turn 71 by the time you get in the house."
Loc laughed at her father's joke. At least being carried took the
weight off her ankle and the pain had subsided.
The first thing Loc saw on her entry into the Metzger house was the
sign. 'Welcome Home' it read. There were balloons and other decorations
to mark Loc's homecoming. Obviously the Metzgers had spent a lot of
time and energy in preparation for their daughter's homecoming.
This made Loc feel guilty again. For she wasn't truly the Metzger's
daughter. What was she supposed to do? Tell the truth to these people
or go on living a life that wasn't her own?
Tom Metzger put his daughter down in one of the chairs in the living
room. Kevin, Loc's half brother, was standing by. As soon as his sister
was seated, the boy pushed a leg rest over by the chair so Loc's legs
could be kept elevated.
"Welcome home sis." Kevin told his sister. That's as far as family
greetings went for the soon to be eleven-year-old. Kevin Metzger had to
be made to kiss or hug family members and his injured and recovering
sister didn't rate high enough for such an 'unmanly' act.
If Kevin barely greeted Loc, the rest of the Metzgers made up for it.
Dan and Mary Metzger came over to hug and kiss their granddaughter.
Then it was Kathy's turn. They all saying how happy they were Loc was
home.
"How are you feeling?" Dan Metzger asked.
"I'm hungry."
Some of Loc's family laughed. "I've got a pot roast in the oven." Mary
Metzger told her granddaughter.
"Smells delicious."
"We should be eating in twenty to thirty minutes," Mary said before
returning to the kitchen.
"Are you comfortable Princess?"
"Yes Daddy I am," Loc told Tom Metzger. She hated all the fuss being
made over her. "Daddy I hate to say this, Can I go to the bathroom? "
Tom smiled. "Absolutely Princess, I'll do anything for you. Now let me
help you get up."
Loc was being made to feel right at home by all members of the Metzger
family. It was just not the right home for Jeff Lockwood.
*****
Dinner was served to Loc fifteen minutes after her getting out of the
bathroom. The meal taking place in the living room, the food placed on
a tray table so Loc could eat while seated in a living room chair. The
roast beef was both tender and delicious. After months of mostly
hospital food, Loc was happy to have a home cooked meal.(While she was
at New Hanover, the Metzgers would sometimes bring Loc home cooked food
to eat.)
It was so nice not to be in a hospital or rehab center room either. Loc
spent part of the weekend sitting outside in a lawn chair. Reading a
book as she soaked in the fresh air and sunlight.
While home the Metzgers saw to Loc's every need. From food and drink to
anything she wanted. She was never without someone nearby to help. All
the Metzgers chipped in to see to Loc's needs.
Horatio was happy to see his owner again. The cat jumping in Loc's lap
not long after she finished eating dinner on Friday night. The cat
purring away as he licked Loc's hand.
All the love and care Loc got made her feel guiltier than ever. If she
didn't use the medallion, Jeff Lockwood would remain female forever and
his parents would never see their son again. On the other hand if Loc
became Jeff again, she would be turning her back on a family that
worked so hard to make her well again.
There was no easy answer. It was easier for Loc to postpone any
decision. Just like she had for the previous three months.
Loc watched television with her parents that night till going to bed.
The teen wondering all along how she would be getting upstairs to bed.
If walking on flat ground was painful, the stairs would be like
climbing a mountain.
As Loc soon discovered, she wouldn't be doing any mountain climbing.
Mrs. Metzger led her daughter to the downstairs master bedroom.
"I'm sleeping here?"
"Yes sweetheart. You aren't up to getting up the stairs yet," Loc's mom
said as she helped get her daughter undressed.
"You and Dad can sleep here. I'll be fine on the couch."
"We can't do that either sweetheart. You need to be in bed. Your father
will be fine on the couch and I'll be here sleeping with you."
Loc felt like crying. "You've done so much for me."
"Why shouldn't we? You're our daughter."
Loc still didn't have the heart to tell Mrs. Metzger the truth. With
each passing day it looked more like Loc never could.
"I'm glad to be out of the hospital."
Julie hugged her naked daughter. "We're all glad you're home."
On Saturday Loc almost asked Kathy to check if the necklace was still
there. Loc decided not to, since nothing could be done with it at this
time.
Loc and her mother went back to Fayetteville on Monday. She and her
mother staying in Fayetteville and then coming home for the weekends.
*****
While Loc was busy with her rehab, the parties involved with the case
of North Carolina vs Drew Hamilton were also keeping quite busy.
The day after Loc went back to Fayetteville, Claude Hamilton got David
Lee's report on the accident. To say the CEO's blood boiled while
reading it was an understatement. Claude now regretted hiring that
'China man'. The man obviously sympathized with the crash's survivor
because they were both of the same race.
Claude knew he had to forget about the Lee report. His son Drew was
facing up to thirty years in prison. That had to be prevented at any
cost.
Dean Hadden was sent to talk with New Hanover's DA, Chuck Cagle. The
two men had been friends since they were both Asst. District Attorneys
in the mid-80's.
"What did you find out?"
"Seven years."
'Shit' Claude thought. The CEO's love for his son was blinding him to
the crime Drew had committed. No one kills someone and leaves the
accident scene without doing some hard time in jail. "That's the best
you can do?"
"Yes Claude it is."
"That is unacceptable."
Dean took a deep breath. "Claude you can get your son other counsel if
you want. I'm telling you, Drew is going to jail in any plea
agreement."
"Then lets go to trial."
Dean had already told the father how solid the state's case was against
Drew Hamilton. A jury trial was likely to end in a far worse verdict
than the seven years currently being offered.
Then a week later, Drew's maternal grandfather had a stroke. Sir Roger
Carmichael a wealthy British industrialist and former member of
parliament, was at his London home when it happened. He wasn't expected
to live.
The Hamilton family wanted to travel to London to be at their
relative's side, except Drew was unable to. As part of his conditions
for bail, the young man had turned over his passport.
Dean Hadden still tried to get the court's permission for Drew to
travel. A court hearing was held on the matter in mid-September.
"The defendant's father," Dean Hadden said addressing the court. "Is
willing to put up five million dollars additional bond to guarantee
Drew Hamilton's return to North Carolina."
The offer being made was the same as the one made when Drew traveled to
the South Carolina for his brother Todd's wedding . David and Carol
Lockwood were present in court that day. Both were angry at what the
defense was asking. They didn't trust Drew Hamilton to return to face
trial.
Judge Castle asked for the state's position on bail.
"We're opposed your honor. The state has reason to believe the
defendant was planning to flee the jurisdiction before his arrest."
'Shit,' Claude Hamilton thought. 'How could the prosecution know that
or are they bluffing?'
Defense and the prosecution attorneys argued for the next few minutes
as Judge Castle listened. Finally David Lockwood had enough.
"Judge, I'd like to say something."
"Mr. Lockwood, please sit down."
"But your honor you can't...."
"I said sit down Mr. Lockwood. This court will not tolerate any further
interruptions."
David Lockwood sat down. The father boiling with anger and asking
himself why he didn't just shoot the Hamilton kid?
Judge Castle made his ruling. "Defense request is denied." Sir Roger
Carmichael died eleven days later.
There weren't many motions left to argue in the case of North Carolina
vs Drew Hamilton. A trial date was now to be set.
Per Claude Hamilton's instructions, Dean Hadden asked for more time to
prepare the defense's case. The prosecution didn't object. Judge Castle
set the date of January 17th for the trial in the matter of North
Carolina vs. Drew Hamilton to begin.
*****
An opportunity for Loc to check on the medallion didn't come till her
fourth Saturday at the Metzger home. While planning dinner for the
evening, Julie realized she was short of a few ingredients for the
meal. A trip to the grocery store was needed.
After eating her lunch, Loc had gone to the living room to watch
television. After a few minutes of flipping channels, the teenager
settled on a college football game. At the time no one else was home.
Tom Metzger was at work, Loc's grandparents had gone back to Virginia
and the twins were out of the house.
"What's wrong Mom?" Loc asked. Her pet cat Horatio was then sitting in
the teen's lap.
"I need a few things from the store to make dinner. Maybe if I call
your father...." Julie said as she went to get the phone.
"Mom, go to the store if you want. I'll be fine till you get back."
"I don't want to leave you home by yourself," Julie replied. The phone
at Tom's work was busy at present.
Loc hadn't been home alone since getting out of the hospital. This was
finally her chance but would she make it up the stairs? It was time to
find out but Loc had to get Mrs. Metzger out of the house.
"Mom, I feel ok. I'll stay right here. How long will you be gone?"
"Forty minutes to an hour," Julie replied. There were really quite a
few groceries the house needed. Seeing to Loc's care had seen many
household chores fall by the wayside. The twins, Tom plus his parents,
plus volunteers from Holy Word Lutheran helped but there were some
things either Julie could only do or was the only person who could do
it right. "You'll be ok if I go out?"
"Yes Mom, I'll be fine," Loc told Mrs. Metzger who was still wavering.
Finally the mother went to the kitchen to start on a list.
It wasn't till nearly another half hour had passed before Loc found
herself alone. First Mrs. Metzger had to finish the grocery list, then
she had to be re-assured her daughter would all right alone by herself.
Loc again said to her mother that she would be fine. Then Mrs. Metzger
made sure Loc had everything she needed before going out.
As soon as Mrs. Metzger was gone, Loc got up off the couch. She still
had walker but could hobble around without them by holding on to
furniture or the walls if needed. So without further ado, Loc made her
way to the staircase. That was the easy part of what lie ahead.
"This is going to be like climbing Mt. Everest," Loc said looking at
the 12 steps and landing she would have to climb and traverse. Then she
began the climb.
Every step was painful. The next more than the last but Loc climbed.
Upon reaching the landing, she stopped to take a rest. Determined to
push on, forgetting the pain and remembering how Mrs. Metzger at rehab
pushed Loc to keep exerting herself. Loc had to know if the medallion
was still there, just like her body needed to learn to walk again.
The last six steps were every bit the struggle Loc thought they would
be and more but she made it. Once at the top of the stairs and now in
immense pain, Loc headed straight to the bedroom. Using the upstairs
wall to lean on.
By the time Loc got to her bedroom, the pain was overwhelming, so the
teenager collapsed into bed. Looking at her surroundings, Loc
congratulated herself. "I made it."
After a few minutes to recover, Loc went over to the jewelry box on the
dresser. She opened it, and looked in the 2nd to bottom drawer.
"Thank you it's here," Loc said looking at the necklace. Feeling
relieved to know the necklace was safe, Loc sat back down on the bed.
One problem was solved, but others still remained.
"What do I do now?" Loc said as she decided to lay back down in bed.
She still felt exhausted from her mountain climb and didn't feel up to
going back downstairs anytime soon.
Loc still faced the same conundrum that had been confronting her since
becoming fully conscious at the hospital. What to do with the medallion
and her life and how this would affect her and Loc's families?
First Loc had to make sure she could even use the necklace again. She
limped over to the room's walk-in closet. It only took seconds for Loc
to get the confirmation. The t-shirt belonging to Jeff Lockwood was
still hanging in the back of the closet.
Loc didn't touch it. She was afraid to, somehow she worried that even
touching it would trap the teenager in her present body. Loc assumed
her real parents had long discarded their son Jeff's belongings. Maybe
they had or maybe the Lockwoods hadn't but Loc couldn't just call and
ask. "Hi Mom, can I get one of my old shirts?"
So Loc returned to laying in bed. She was so confused right then and
felt trapped. No matter which way Loc turned, she would upset people
who she loved and who loved her back.
Then there was also Drew Hamilton, the young man whose driving caused
the crash. His trial was set to begin in January. Could Loc let Drew go
to jail for killing Jeff Lockwood when it was really Loc he killed?
Better yet wasn't Loc also at fault for what happened? If not for the
medallion, the real Loc may very well be alive that day.
Another wave of pain hit Loc as tears began streaking down her face.
One reason she had come upstairs was simple. Loc was thinking of using
the necklace. Just to end the pain, by becoming herself before the
night of the crash. The fractured pelvis, ruptured spleen and shattered
ankle would all be things of the past.
That would take some explaining however. Like how Loc suddenly became
well again and the scars on her body miraculously disappearing. She
could say it was a miracle, and who could dispute that, right?
Oh there were a few other things that would change. Loc's hair had
grown out some. This because she hadn't gone to a beauty parlor or hair
stylist in six months. Mrs. Metzger had been talking about taking Loc
to one for at least a week.
Maybe that would be the temporary solution for Loc or Jeff. Wait a
little while and then use the necklace. She needed more time to think.
"Loc, tell me what should I do?" the changed Jeff Lockwood asked the
empty room.
No answer came. Loc continued laying on top of the bed, thinking to
herself and looking at the necklace. In the process she lost all track
of time.
Loc didn't hear Mrs. Metzger's return home or her calls for her
daughter. It wasn't till Mrs. Metzger opened the bedroom door that Loc
discovered her mother was back home.
"Loc?" Mrs. Metzger said as she entered her daughter's room.
On seeing Mrs. Metzger come into the room, Loc immediately sat up in
bed. The medallion laying next to her.
"Hi Mom," Loc said cheerfully in spite of the pain.
Mrs. Metzger's face immediately went from a frown to a smile. "I'm
surprised to see you up here."
Loc glanced at herself and then her surroundings. Very little had been
touched since the auto crash. "I missed my room."
"I don't blame you. Feeling all right?"
"Could I get another percocet? I been hurting since coming up here."
"I can imagine," Mrs. Metzger said before glancing at her watch. "You
can have another one in a half hour. In the meantime I have to get the
rest of the groceries inside from the car."
Before doing that, Mrs. Metzger came over and hugged and kissed her
daughter. "I'm so glad you're home."
"Me too," Loc replied back. How could she ever tell Mrs. Metzger she
wasn't really Loc?
"Do you want me to come downstairs to help?"
"No I can handle it." Julie Metzger replied back. "You just rest
sweetheart and I'll be back up with your medications in a little bit.
Anything you need right now?"
Loc tried hard not to bite her lip. "Mom what if I told you..." Then
Loc stopped herself from saying anything more.
"Tell me what?" Julie Metzger asked, acting a little puzzled. She and
Loc rarely had trouble communicating.
Loc sighed before telling a half lie. "I miss Jeff."
Mrs. Metzger immediately understood. She took her daughter's hand. "Let
me get everything inside and we'll talk more."
"Ok." Loc then watched as her mother left the room. The medallion was
still on the bed beside her, Mrs. Metzger had acted as if she hadn't
noticed it.
Loc sat there thinking. She had begun to tell Mrs. Metzger about the
necklace but stopped. She so felt like a coward. Loc not being able to
tell the real Loc's mother what happened to her daughter. Would she
ever be to tell the truth?
A decision needed to be made. One that would change two families
forever.
*****
Loc stayed in her room till dinner that evening. As promised Mrs.
Metzger brought Loc her pain medications. These made Loc a little
sleepy. So Loc took a brief nap.
The next day Loc went to church for the first time since the accident.
Jeff hadn't been religious before the crash, but now felt she was only
alive by some miracle of God. From now on the eighteen-year-old would
worship God as seriously as the original Loc had.
Before the service began, Reverend Swan announced Loc's presence to the
entire congregation. Almost everyone there began to applaud. That
caused Loc to blush like she had never had in her life before then.
On Monday Loc returned to the rehab center with her mother. She
continued to get stronger with every passing day, but not without a
great deal of hard work and often great amounts of pain. Julie Metzger
was always there to encourage and support Loc. The doctors were
impressed with Loc's improvement but were still cautious in estimating
when the teenager's recovery would be completed.
Loc continued to spend weekends at the Metzger home. Beginning the week
after her Everest climb, the teenager began spending more time in her
bedroom and even began sleeping there every night. The stairs were
still difficult, but Loc's parents were there to help. Tom Metzger
bought his daughter a thirteen-inch television for the room and also
got an additional cable box installed at the house. This all in order
to make Loc feel more comfortable. The medallion was still in Loc's
jewelry drawer and Loc was no closer to making a decision.
On the last Thursday in October, Loc's right ankle was operated on for
the fourth time. The operation went well and there was no sign of
infection like had happened following the operation in July. If Loc's
ankle continued to heal as hoped, she would have to endure only one
more operation.
*****
Claude William Hamilton III found himself almost begging. The wealthy
CEO was asking Chuck Cagle, The New Hanover County District Attorney,
to show mercy towards his son Drew Hamilton.
"I hear you Claude but justice must be served," Chuck Cagle told Claude
Hamilton. At the time, Drew Hamilton, his attorney Dean Hadden plus
Asst. DA Donna Weibring, were gathered in Cagle's office at the New
Hanover County Courthouse in addition to Claude Hamilton and Chuck
Cagle. It was mid-November and Drew Hamilton's trial was less than nine
weeks away.
No one questioned Drew Hamilton's guilt in the death of Jeff Lockwood.
Where the differences lay among those present, was in what sentence the
young man would serve for his crime. That's what Claude Hamilton was
there for. He wanted to get his son as light a sentence as possible.
"My son Drew is willing to apologize to the families in court. Right
son?"
"Yes Mr. Cagle, I'm so sorry for what I have done. I don't want to go
to jail. Please forgive me."
"Son, you killed a boy. There is a family out there who is hurt,
grieving and angry at what you did to them and their son. I have to see
they get justice," Chuck Cagle said to Drew.
Chuck Cagle wasn't being totally forthright about why he had to come
down hard on the Hamilton boy. The intense publicity the case had
gotten had public opinion on the side of Drew Hamilton getting a stiff
sentence. Cagle had to listen to the people he served and therefore
politics would have a say in what sentence could be handed down.
"What are you offering?" Claude Hamilton asked.
This was the third time the parties in the matter of North Carolina vs.
Drew Hamilton had met to discuss a plea deal. Nothing had changed in
Donna Weibring's mind from the two prior meetings with the Hamiltons
and her boss agreed.
"Five years," Donna said. It didn't need repeating that Drew faced up
to thirty years if the case went to trial. "With good behavior and
parole, he could be out in three."
"That's final?"
Chuck Cagle did the talking now. "Yes Claude, I'm afraid it is."
"There is nothing I can do to change the sentence?"
After a minute's pause most of which Chuck Cagle spent mostly twiddling
his fingers, the DA spoke again. "Perhaps Claude, but it won't be up to
me."
Claude Hamilton then enquired as to who could have the final say in his
son Drew's sentence. District Attorney Chuck Cagle gave the business
tycoon the answer
*****
Three weeks later, Carol Lockwood was home cleaning her house on a
Saturday afternoon. Carol's husband David was working and her daughter
Tabitha was at a friend's house. That left the mother all alone.
Christmas was coming and Carol Lockwood wasn't looking forward to it.
The loss of her son Jeffrey still consumed the mother with grief. It
would be the first Christmas without her son in nineteen years. Carol
Lockwood had little to be joyful for.
Carol was vacuuming when she heard the doorbell ring. She wasn't
expecting anyone at that time, so her first thought was who could be at
the door. After turning off the vacuum, Carol went to find out. She was
greatly surprised to see it was Claude Hamilton at the door. The CEO
needed no introduction.
"Good afternoon Ma'am. My name is......"
"I know who you are. Your son Drew killed my Jeffrey."
Carol Lockwood began to close the front door but Claude Hamilton
stopped it with his right hand.
"If you don't get off my property, I'll call the police."
"Ma'am can you just give me one minute of your time? Please I'm asking
you."
Carol Lockwood stood there staring at Claude Hamilton for what seemed
like an eternity. "You got your minute."
"Ma'am I'm very sorry for happened to your son. I can't imagine what
you and the rest of your family are going through right now."
"No you can't," Carol Lockwood replied back, She was tempted to slam
the door in the man's face. His could spend up to thirty years in jail,
but her son Jeffrey was dead and gone forever. What was just about
that?
"I agree Ma'am and there is nothing I can do to make up for the loss
you've suffered. My son is deeply sorry for what he has done, and he'll
pay for that. Please hear me out......"
Carol Lockwood listened to Claude Hamilton. He went on much longer than
the one minute allocated to him. All the time Carol kept the man
standing on her front porch. She began to feel bad that Claude had to
stand outside in the almost freezing temperatures as she listened to
him talk.
"Come on inside please," Carol said inviting Claude Hamilton into her
home. She showed her guest to the living room and a seat on the sofa
there. "May I get you something warm to drink?"
"If you have any coffee or tea, I'd appreciate it very much Ma'am."
Carol Lockwood took a few minutes out from her talk with Claude
Hamilton to make some coffee. After giving the man a cup of coffee, she
took a seat in a chair directly across from him.
"Thank you for the coffee Ma'am," Claude told Carol. "Ma'am I know what
I'm asking is a great deal from you."
"Even if I said yes to you, my husband Dave may not. If he doesn't, I
will go along with my husband's decision.
"I would probably do the same if I were in your shoes Ma'am," Claude
Hamilton said after sipping some of the coffee he had been served. He
was being exaggerated in his politeness to the mother. Claude needed
something out of her, and felt being overly polite couldn't hurt his
chances. "What I'm asking from both of you is a great deal but I have
to .try. Drew is my son."
Carol knew if she was in this father's position, she would also be
doing the same. Still the loss of her son Jeffrey hurt her too much to
ever forgive Drew Hamilton.
Claude Hamilton tried a different pitch. "You're Catholic if I am
correct?"
"Yes, why?"
"I'm Baptist myself Ma'am. We worship God in different ways but we both
believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior."
Carol Lockwood nodded her head. "Yes we do."
"Christmas will be upon us shortly. We will celebrate the birthday of
Jesus our savior.
'A celebration that won't be the same without my Jeffrey. Because of
your son!' Carol could have added but didn't. "So?"
"Jesus taught us forgiveness Ma'am. What I'm trying to ask you for is
forgive me and to also forgive my son."
Carol Lockwood listened for about five minutes as Claude Hamilton made
his pitch to the mother. What the father was asking was impossible
but......
"Ma'am your son's life has been destroyed. Drew's life won't end, but
if he goes to prison his future will be destroyed just as your son's
was. Does that need to happen or can we......"
"Sir I do not want your money," Carol said as she began to get angry.
Yes the Lockwoods had filed a wrongful death suit, but that was mostly
the work of Jeff's father. As Carol saw it, no amount of money would
make up for the loss of her son.
"I wasn't saying that Ma'am. What I'm asking is if you and husband in
your hearts could forgive my son."
"So he doesn't go to jail?"
"I'm asking....no I'm begging for you and your husband to show mercy to
my son Drew."
Carol Lockwood sat there quietly studying Claude Hamilton for a few
minutes. "I'll have to discuss this with my husband."
"That's understandable Ma'am."
Carol Lockwood got up and Claude did the same. "I'll have to get back
to you. After the holidays."
"Ma'am, my son Drew will be in court the third Monday in January. I
think........"
"Sir, my husband and I won't be rushed. This is a very difficult time
of the year for us right now."
"I understand."
Carol showed Claude Hamilton to the door. Before leaving, he gave the
mother his business card. "My home and work numbers are on the front.
You can leave a message any hour of the day. I will immediately return
your call."
'If there is a call.' Carol thought to herself quietly as she looked at
the card. She had a very powerful, wealthy and influential man in the
palm of her hand at present. Carol was only guessing, but she presumed
Claude Hamilton knew this and was very uncomfortable about it. "If my
husband agrees to speak to you, will your son come so to apologize?"
"Yes Ma'am. Drew will come," Claude said. He saw that the conversation
he was having with Mrs. Lockwood had come to an end "Thank you for your
time."
Claude Hamilton had already begun walking away from the Lockwood home
when he heard Carol Lockwood's voice again. "Will you be speaking to
the Metzgers and their daughter Loc?"
The business tycoon turned around. "Yes Ma'am but not before I hear
back from you."
Once back in her home and alone by herself, Carol Lockwood began to
cry. "Jeffrey I miss you so much."
*****
It was three days before Christmas and Loc was sitting in the Metzger
living room. She was watching the game show Jeopardy with her father.
Christmas felt as empty for Loc as it did for Mrs. Lockwood. For the
girl was away from her true parents and for the first time since
Christmas 1985, without her former girlfriend, the real Loc Metzger.
Loc felt as if she was in a hole. One of her own creation. She could
have told the Metzgers and therefore her parents the truth six months
ago. Loc hadn't done it. If she ever wanted to be Jeff again, time was
running out. Drew Hamilton's trial was to begin in early 1994. How
could she let him go to trial for killing someone who was still alive?
Loc's physical therapy and recovery were going well. As of
Thanksgiving, Loc had begun living at the Metzger home full-time and
doing her PT in Wilmington. The days at Shields were a thing of the
past.
Her ankle was mending better than anticipated. It looked as if Loc
would just need one more operation. Loc would be glad for that with
four already behind her to date.
Loc still wondered if she should just use the necklace to make her
injuries go away. The pain would be over but the explanations Loc would
have to endure may not be worth the trouble.
"You aren't interested in the show?" Tom Metzger asked Loc. Usually the
father competed with his daughter when watching the game show together,
Loc invariably coming out on top.
Jeff Lockwood or the new Loc wasn't as bright as the real Loc. When
competing with her father now, it was a much closer run thing. Loc was
afraid if she kept it up, Mr. Metzger would become suspicious. Then
wouldn't that give her the opportunity to end the masquerade she was
living?
"I'm just thinking Daddy."
"Princess, are you feeling all right?" Tom Metzger asked. He was happy
his daughter was recovering from that awful crash. He could only
imagine the pain Loc had gone through till this date. "If you need
anything just ask."
"I'm fine Daddy. Just thinking of things."
Tom Metzger nodded his head. "You miss Jeff."
"Yes Daddy," Loc said as the phone began to ring.
The category on Jeopardy was word origins. Alex Trebeck said. "This
word for an out of the way place comes from the Tagalog word for
Mountain."
Loc knew that one. "What is Boondock." The contestant then began
choosing a sports category. This allowed Loc to rattle off the answers
with ease.
Just as the sports category was being finished, Julie Metzger came out
into the living room. "Tom, sweetheart, could you come in the kitchen
for a moment please."
As soon as they were in the kitchen, Julie told her husband about the
phone call they just got. By the time she was done, Tom Metzger's face
was red with rage.
"Absolutely not!"
"Tom, He is just asking us to hear him out."
"Never. Look what his boy did to Loc."
"You don't think I know that too."
"Julie you're not Loc's real mother." Tom said and instantly regretted
it. He and Julie rarely argued or fought. "I'm real sorry."
"Tom I think we owe it to Loc to make this decision. She's a grown up
young woman, and can make these decisions."
"I don't like that Hamilton boy. He's a spoiled rich kid and his father
is probably going to try buying us off."
"Maybe," Julie said. The conversation she was having with her husband
was temporarily interrupted when Kevin Metzger came into the kitchen
looking for something to drink. It re-started as soon as the eleven-
year-old boy left the room. "I think we should at least hear out what
the Hamiltons have to say."
"Julie, look at our daughter. Loc hasn't been the same since the
crash."
If anyone didn't need telling this to, it was Julie Metzger. She had
been with Loc the most of any family member since the horrifying crash.
The mother had seen the girl through her entire recovery.
The physical scars Loc had undergone were bad enough, but Julie Metzger
knew there were deep emotional ones also. Not just the loss of her
long-time best friend, but a loss of her innocence had been inflicted
on Loc in a violent way. Loc would never be quite the same again.
Julie knew that. She had already seen how the crash had made Loc
withdrawn which the girl had never been previously in her life. The
mother felt this was understandable, Loc had been traumatized more than
physically by the accident. Julie wanted to see to her daughter's
emotional as well as her physical recovery.
For Loc's emotional recovery, a resolution in the matter of North
Carolina vs Drew Hamilton was essential. Both parents thought as much,
it was just that Julie Metzger didn't agree with her husband over what
would be the best outcome for that case.
"No, Loc hasn't been the same but she needs closure. We all need it.
Tom what I'm saying is to lets hear them out. We can still tell them
no."
Tom thought for a few moments. "If they want to talk to us, they must
have spoken to the Lockwoods."
"Yes they probably did." Julie hadn't spoken to Carol Lockwood in
around ten days.
"If I were a betting man, David Lockwood told old man Hamilton to go
screw himself. The Lockwoods lost a son after all."
Kevin Metzger came in the kitchen right then. "Mom, Loc is asking if
she can have a percocet right now."
After checking her watch, Julie determined Loc could. So the mother got
up and got one of her daughter's pain killers and a glass of water. She
then gave these to Kevin for him to bring to his sister.
Taking care of Loc was a true Metzger family affair. Everyone,
including the twins chipped in. "Tell Loc I'll be out shortly to help
her take a shower."
"Ok Mom." Kevin Metzger said and then left the kitchen with his
sister's medication and water.
Out in the living room Loc took the percocet and water from her
brother. "Thanks."
"Is it all right if I switch channels?" Kevin asked his big sister.
"Go ahead." Jeopardy had already finished and Loc hadn't switched
channels yet. Kevin Metzger then began flipping channels.
Back in the kitchen, Julie returned to the kitchen table where Tom sat.
She had mulled over what her husband had said before Kevin came in the
kitchen. He was probably right about the Lockwoods. "Hamilton gave me
his phone number and said for us to call back after we talked."
Tom took the number. "We should talk to our attorney first."
"I'll talk to Loc about it. Maybe while she takes a shower."
"Mom what do you think?" Loc asked after hearing from her mother about
that night's phone call. The teen was then getting ready to take her
shower. Not till she no longer wore a cast, could Loc go without her
mother's help to do many ordinary things most people took for granted.
That Julie Metzger never once complained about what she did for Loc,
touched the teen deeply. Loc knew how much Julie Metzger loved and
cared for her. That was the one biggest reason that held Loc back from
using the necklace. She would hurt Mrs. Metzger, the mother would then
get angry at all the work she had done had coming for naught and ask
why Jeff hadn't come clean long ago. He could have saved her all this
trouble.
"Loc it's up to you."
Loc was angry at Drew Hamilton. For killing her girlfriend and putting
Loc through over six painful months of hospital and rehab time. On the
other hand, the young man was facing jail for killing a person who was
still very much alive.
A few moments later Loc stepped into the shower. As the water sprayed
down on her, Loc thought whether 1994 would see the return of Jeff
Lockwood or her staying as she was permanently
Deep down Loc didn't hate being a girl but missed being a boy. She
could go on with the life Loc Metzger had, and the former Jeff Lockwood
could probably be happy doing it. The biggest drawback to that
concerned Jeff's parents. They had to be missing their son right then,
particularly now that it was almost Christmas. Loc was wondering what
her parents and Tabitha were doing right then.
"I'm so confused, Loc tell me what to do?" Loc whispered quietly as she
continued to take her shower.
Later on Loc told her mother she needed more time to think. Would 1994
bring any answers, or just more questions?
*****
Christmas came, which saw the Loc get her female jewelry or clothing
from friends and family. That only deepened the feelings Loc had for
her surrogate family. They cared for and loved their daughter so much.
If she went back to being Jeff, Loc would be ending all of this.
On the Monday after Christmas, Mrs. Metzger took her daughter somewhere
she hadn't been since before the crash. The beauty parlor. Loc by now
admitting her hair needed a trim. Long hair looked pretty on Jeff
Lockwood's girlfriend before the crash, but now with the shoe on the
other foot long hair required lots of work. Though Mrs. Metzger was
around for this like everything else.
The beauty parlor the Metzger women used was in a Wilmington mall.
Getting around would have required too much painful walking for Loc.
Instead Julie Metzger got a wheelchair for her daughter.
That day's trip out was another refreshing break for Loc. She was happy
to be doing anything remotely different.
The trip was slightly reminiscent of Loc's earlier trip with Mrs.
Metzger before the crash. Except Loc didn't try on any clothes for
purchase this time. Instead a lot of window shopping was done. While in
JC Penney's, Julie bought her daughter some badly needed cosmetics.
On their way out of the store, a young man in his twenties stopped Loc
and Julie Metzger. "Hi I saw you drop this."
"Thank you," Loc said as she looked at the young man. As she looked at
him, Loc began to feel warm and tingly in her genitalia between her
legs.
"Your welcome." Loc and her mother then continued their way into the
mall.
The person who returned the bag wasn't the only person provoking a
reaction in Loc. She had gotten similar reactions from some other men
in the mall and a few women.
No particular type of man caused a reaction in Loc, just that they be
thirty or under in age and relatively good looking. Women was another
matter. Jeff Lockwood's taste for Asian women seemed to have carried
over to her new body except Wilmington didn't have that many Orientals.
There was one Asian woman in the mall. A nice looking twenty something.
It was always hard to tell with Asian women, they tended to remain
young looking. The only trouble with this woman, was she was pushing a
baby stroller.
One other woman drew Loc's attention. A brunette with short hair that
for some reason the teenager found cute.
Loc hadn't much time to consider her sexual orientation till that day.
No question about it now, she had a definite bisexual side. Just one
more confusing part of the new Loc's life.
At the beauty parlor Loc had her hair trimmed about six inches. When
the stylist was done, Loc asked her mother how she looked.
"I like it," Julie told her daughter with an approving smile. It warmed
the mother's heart to see Loc enjoying herself again.
After having her hair cut, Loc spent time with her head under a hair
dryer. While doing that, the teenager also got a manicure and pedicure.
While the pedicure was being done, Loc browsed through some of the
magazines available. Being a beauty parlor, Sports Illustrated and
Popular Mechanics weren't exactly available. After rejecting a few
publications, Loc settled on a recent issue of Brides.
'Six months of being Loc, and I'm starting to act and think like a
woman.' Loc thought as she leafed through the pages. The magazine
consisting of wedding tips, bridal photos and stories of actual
weddings.
One bride inside caught Loc's eye. Her name was Victoria Lim, and she
bore a little resemblance to Loc Metzger.
'That could be me in a few years,' Loc thought. She was no closer to
resolving her present situation. 'Why am I still here living as Loc?'
The photo of Victoria also reminded Loc of what could have been. Maybe
Jeff would have married Loc one day despite their divergent career
paths. This combined with the memories of her late girlfriend flooding
her mind, caused tears to form in Loc's eyes.
Mrs. Metzger was seated next to Loc after also having her hair done
also. She saw her daughter crying. "What's wrong?"
The buzz of the hair dryer makes hearing difficult. Loc had to duck her
head out from underneath to hear her mother. She showed the photo to
Mrs. Metzger. "I was thinking of Jeff."
"It's alright, sweetheart," Julie Metzger replied. Not for the first
time, the mother thought Loc could use some grief counseling but her
daughter had refused all earlier offers of that help with the exception
of that first full day she was awake at the hospital. Julie thought
maybe it would be best if she just took Loc to one.
Later that night Loc's appearance met with approval from other members
of the Metzger family. First Mr. Metzger taking note of his daughter's
new hair cut and saying she looked pretty. Then later on Loc's sister
saying the same.
"You look super," Kathy Metzger told her sister. They were both
upstairs at the time in Loc's bedroom.
"Thanks," Loc told her sister as the two of them hugged.
At the same time that Loc and Kathy were sharing a hug, Julie Metzger
was returning a phone call she had gotten earlier that day.
"Hello."
"Hi Carol, its Julie Metzger. I'm returning your call from earlier
today."
"Hi Julie. I appreciate you getting back to me so soon. How is
everyone? How is Loc?
"We're all well and Loc is getting better," Julie gave Carol Lockwood a
brief update on her daughter's current medical condition. The two
mothers sometimes met at Drew Hamilton's court hearings, but that
depended on if Loc had to go to the doctor or rehab. The teenager's
schedule was so busy on those fronts, that Julie had little time to go
to court and mostly kept up with the case through the newspaper. "How
are you?"
"Christmas wasn't very easy for us."
"I understand."
"Julie could I come over and have a chat with you? Say tomorrow
afternoon."
The next day was a Wednesday and Loc went to PT on Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays. Julie told this to Carol.
"Tomorrow is not a good day. On Thursday morning Loc has a doctor's
appointment at ten but we're free in the afternoon."
"Thursday afternoon is good for me. Would 1:30 be a good time?"
"Yes it is. Sorry Loc is upstairs waiting for her shower and I need to
go. I'll see you Thursday then." Julie Metzger said and after saying
goodbye to Carol, hung up the phone.
When Julie Metzger got upstairs, she got a surprise. Loc was almost
ready for her shower. She had all her clothes off already.
"Mom, I got Lucky ready for her shower," Kathy told her mother.
"Thank you, I appreciate that."
"Kathy was a big help," Loc replied while at the same time musing that
Tabitha Lockwood would probably have never done the same for Jeff. Then
they were brother and sister, not sisters.
"I wasn't sure how to wrap Lucky's leg." Loc had to have her leg
wrapped when taking showers. She wasn't allowed to get the cast wet.
"Want to learn how?" Julie asked Kathy. The eleven-year-old said she
would.
Loc couldn't help see how much the entire Metzger family loved her.
Their hearts would certainly break if they learned Loc wasn't who she
appeared to be.
*****
Two days later Loc was watching All My Children when the front door
bell rang. Julie Metzger called out to her daughter saying she would
answer it.
Ever since the previous September, Loc had found herself growing
addicted to the soap opera All My Children or AMC for short. Julie
Metzger was a fan of the show, and would tape it when not home so she
could watch it when at her convenience. After watching a few episodes
with her mother, Loc soon found herself hooked by the daytime drama's
plot lines.
"Hello Loc, how are you feeling?" Carol Lockwood asked. It was the
first time Loc saw her true Mom in almost two months.
"I'm ok Mom," Loc replied back. She had forgotten that Carol Lockwood
wasn't considered her Mother now. "I'm starting to feel a little
better."
Carol Lockwood didn't react to the slip up. For the real Loc had
sometimes called Mrs. Lockwood Mom. Loc had spent so much time at the
Lockwood house because of Jeff, that the teenager had become like
family and vice versa to each other.
"That's great," Carol Lockwood said as she came over to Loc and gave
her a hug and kiss. "I'm glad you're doing better."
'Why am I still here like this?' Loc asked herself. Tears began forming
in Loc's eyes as she watched her mother walk towards the kitchen.
Julie Metzger was in the kitchen and had already made coffee for her
guest. As soon as she poured Carol and herself a cup, Julie took a seat
at the dinner table across from Jeffrey Lockwood's mother.
"Christmas was so tough. I missed Jeffrey."
"Carol, I can only imagine." Julie's previous six months had been no
picnic but Loc was alive and getting stronger every day. Jeff Lockwood
on the other hand was buried in a nearby cemetery.
Losing a child tears away part of a mother's soul. You don't carry a
human life inside yourself for nine months without bonding with the boy
or girl. Then after a child is born, the mother is almost always the
principal caregiver.
A mother sacrifices much for her son or daughter. Even sometimes
themselves if the threat is there. When a child is taken away from a
mother, a vacuum is created that is next to impossible to fill.
"Claude Hamilton came to talk to me."
"What happened?"
"He's asking me to forgive his son and ask for leniency," Carol said as
she explained the meeting to Julie.
"What do you think?"
Carol shrugged. "I don't know. David is opposed."
"That's understandable."
"Has Claude Hamilton tried contacting you?"
Julie nodded. "He called here three times. One day he came to the
house. Tom was home that day. He ran Hamilton off the property."
Julie nor Carol said a word for over a minute. Both mothers drinking
their coffee and contemplating what had happened to their lives since
that tragic June night.
Carol Lockwood broke the silence. "I miss Jeff and I can't stop
thinking of him."
Julie didn't say a word. Consoling the unconsolable was sometimes best
done in silence.
"Drew Hamilton could go to jail, and he deserves to, but it won't bring
back my Jeffrey."
Julie was thinking much along the same lines. The mother thinking of
how Elizabeth Hamilton had to feel at the prospect of her son going to
prison.
"Can I forgive Drew?"
"Carol that is a tough question. I don't know if I could if I were
you."
"I'd like closure. What I ask myself is what would Jeff want me to do?"
Julie thought for a few seconds. "Jeff would want you to never forget
him but to keep on living."
"Have you mentioned any of this to Loc?"
"Yes," Julie said explaining to her friend the talks Loc had with her
Mom about Drew Hamilton. "She has mixed feelings but I think Loc would
like to move on."
"Loc was always a smart girl. Jeff learned so much from her. I think my
whole family did."
Carol Horsley Lockwood was nine years younger than Claude Hamilton III,
and also a southerner with family going back many generations living in
either North or South Carolina. There the comparison ended between
Carol and Claude. Their racial views were ions apart. Jeff Lockwood's
mother could have cared less about Loc Metzger's race and had always
approved of her son's friendship with the half Asian girl.
Julie got up to get more coffee for her and Carol. As she poured
another cup, the mother spoke up. "Carol, I think you and David have to
ask yourselves deep down if you can forgive Drew Hamilton."
"It won't be easy."
"No I'm sure it won't," Julie said as she sat back down. "I admire that
you can even contemplate doing it."
Loc was out in the living room watching television. She was also
thinking about Drew Hamilton and what would be done to the young man.
Loc knew what happened that night was all a tragic mistake and right
then she was paying for it. Her girlfriend was dead and Jeff probably
doomed to live out the rest of his life as a woman. `
If Loc had to make a guess, it was that Drew Hamilton's conscience was
deeply bothered by what he had done. Was that good enough? That Drew
Hamilton would have to live with a guilty conscience the rest of his
life?
Deep down Loc was already making up her mind. If her mother, Carol
Lockwood not Julie Metzger, could forgive Drew Hamilton so could she.
"I need more time to think this over," Carol told Julie back in the
kitchen. "David and I really need to think about it."
"Loc and I will talk again too," Julie said as she and Carol got up
from her chairs. The two mothers taking a moment to hug once again.
Julie talked to Loc later about what Carol Lockwood had come to the
house for. They did it as Loc took a shower that evening.
"Mom, what do you and Daddy think?"
"Sweetheart, I think the decision is up to you."
"If I say I forgive Drew, what will the judge do to him?"
"We don't know yet."
"Drew could still go to jail?"
"Maybe."
"But if he goes to trial, Drew will go to jail?"
"Yes sweetheart. In all probability Drew would."
Loc knew she had another person's life in her hands. It weighed heavily
on her mind like her own fate did. At times it felt overwhelming.
"If Jeff's Mom can forgive Drew, I can," Loc decided. Her real mother
had the most reason to hate Drew, even more than Loc did. If Mrs.
Lockwood could forgive Drew, so could Loc.
Julie smiled at her daughter. Loc had just made a big and admirable
decision. The child Julie had adopted over ten years earlier had truly
become an adult.
"Sweetheart, you have my support." Julie told her daughter. What Tom
Metzger would think about forgiving Drew Hamilton, was an entirely
different matter.
*****
The Lockwoods still couldn't make up their minds. January 17th 1994 was
supposed to see the trial of North Carolina vs. Drew Hamilton begin but
the trial was again postponed at the request of both defense and
prosecuting attorneys.
Judge Castle went along with the request but also gave an ultimatum.
"This case will go to trial in March. There won't be any more
continuances." So now the ball was clearly in the Lockwood's court.
Julie Metzger talked to her husband Tom a few days after the latest
court hearing. Both Tom and Julie had been in attendance the day Judge
Castle postponed the trial till March..
Tom Metzger's opinion on leniency for Drew Hamilton hadn't changed. Now
the father was surprised to hear how Loc felt.
"Loc wants to forgive that piece of shit?" Tom asked Julie. He was
wondering if the women folk in his house had all lost their minds.
"Yes she does. Loc feels if Jeff's Mom can forgive Drew, so should
she." Julie and Loc had another talk two nights earlier. Loc was still
willing to support her real mother in the event Mrs. Lockwood asked
Judge Castle to show leniency to Drew.
"After all Loc has been through? After what all of us have been
through?"
"Tom, I don't think Loc made this decision lightly. She's hurt and
wants to put this behind her."
"I'm hurt too. Look what I've been through for seven months."
Julie shook her head. "Tom, you have had it the easiest of anyone here.
I've been with Loc through almost all of this."
"Yes and I spend time here paying bills, haggling with the insurance
companies, and all of that."
Loc was upstairs but could hear the raised voices of her parents. She
knew what they were arguing about and it was causing Loc to cry.
"And we're going to be broke if we don't settle this soon," Julie told
her husband. "We're already dipping into Loc's college money. Right?"
"I had no choice."
"Where do you think we'll have the money to pay for Duke next year?"
"We'll manage!"
"Be realistic. Hamilton can drag this out forever." Julie told Tom. The
couple was suing Drew and Claude Hamilton but a civil trial and any
settlement could be years off in the future. Gerald Lozman, the
Metzger's attorney, had previously warned the couple that the Hamiltons
could keep any judgment tied up in appeals for a decade easily. If only
to spite the Metzgers if Drew Hamilton ended up going to jail.
The Metzgers already had over $100,000 worth of unpaid bills from
caring for Loc, and it was breaking the family financially. "We don't
have forever, nor does Loc. Can't we let her make the decision? She
lost Jeff after all."
"Let me talk to her," Tom told his wife. Julie then went upstairs to
fetch Loc, The two women were down in the living room a couple of
minutes later.
"Sit down Princess, Tom told his daughter. Loc was getting more mobile
but still needed her crutches. "Your mother and I want to talk to you."
"All right Daddy," Loc said as she sat down. The moment she did, Loc
began to cry.
"Princess, don't cry."
"I don't like seeing you and Mom fight because of me."
Tom and Julie exchanged looks. Both of Loc's parents were now
regretting their argument.
"Princess stop crying. Please."
"I wish I had died that night."
"Don't talk like that sweetheart," Julie said to Loc.
"Jeff died, and I should have died too," Loc said as she continued
crying. She had survivor guilt, why did she live and not the real Loc?
All because of Shelly Nelson's party and Loc wanting to go to that
concert instead of to her grandmother's birthday party. All because
Jeff hadn't made Tabitha get rid of that stupid necklace. Because of
all this, the real Loc Metzger was dead.
Loc's tears were real. The fight the Metzgers were having because of
her was tearing Loc apart. "I wish I wasn't like this now. I wish
nobody had to take care of me."
"Princess, I love you," Tom told his daughter. "Stop crying, your
mother and I won't fight anymore. We promise."
Julie Metzger brought Loc some Kleenex. The eighteen-year-old used them
to blow her nose.
"All I've done is cause everyone trouble."
"Princess, you're never trouble to your mother and I. I'd do anything
for you. Please stop crying." Tom couldn't bear seeing his daughter
emotional like this, most of all because the father knew he was the
cause.
Loc's crying began to subside. "I'll go away as soon as the doctor
allows me. Don't worry about me."
That statement wasn't at all a bluff from Loc. She felt so ashamed
about so much, Loc sometimes felt she needed to get away from
Wilmington and both the Metzgers and Lockwoods. She would take the
medallion and start over again.
"No sweetheart, we all love you. Don't talk like that," Julie said.
Tom began talking to Loc calmly about Drew Hamilton. The father being
careful to keep his own feelings under tight control so not to hurt Loc
any further.
"Daddy, I want to move on."
"Drew hurt you. Princess you almost died," Tom Metzger said.
"And Jeff died and I feel I'm to blame for what happened," Loc said as
tears began to form again.
"Sweetheart, don't blame yourself," Julie told Loc.
Loc spoke to her father. "Mom says Jeff's Mom may ask the judge to be
lenient to Drew.
"Yes, Mrs. Lockwood may do that," Tom said.
"If Jeff's Mom does that, I think I should too."
Tom looked down at his daughter. Loc would always be a little girl to
him, but the father just heard how grown up his daughter had become.
Loc had made a decision few adults would have the inner strength for.
"I love you Princess."
"Love you too Daddy."
Tom looked over at Julie. "Call that number we have for Drew Hamilton's
attorney."
Julie nodded her head. "I'll do it first thing on Monday."
"Princess, whatever you decide your mother and I will support it."
"Thank you Daddy," Loc said with a slight smile. The former Jeff
Lockwood knew what she had done that night was right but had just dug
the hole she was in even deeper and more difficult to ever get out of.
Julie went to Loc's side so to help her daughter get back upstairs,
when Tom Metzger intervened. "Honey, I'll get Loc upstairs to bed. You
can get ready for bed if you want."
"Ok," Julie said to her husband before kissing Loc good night.
Tom Metzger helped Loc get upstairs. Once in the bedroom, Tom tucked
Loc in bed and asked if his daughter needed anything before he left.
"No Daddy, I'm fine."
"Princess, I'm sorry about tonight."
"I'm sorry too Daddy."
"Anything you ever want, if I can do it or get it, I will."
"Thank you Daddy." Then Tom Metzger bent down and kissed his daughter.
"I'm going to watch a little television before going to sleep.
"Good night Princess."
Tom and Julie Metzger talked again just before going to bed.
"I'm sorry about tonight," Tom said to Julie. "Forgive me."
"I'm sorry too."
"We have to do what is best for Loc."
"I agree. She wants closure."
Tom Metzger then went to turn off the light next to his and Julie's
bed. "If closure is what my little girl wants, I'll get it for her."
*****
Tom and Loc Metzger met with Drew Hamilton the following Thursday. Also
present were the attorneys Gerald Lozman for the Metzgers plus Dean
Hadden and Dave Little for the Hamiltons. Claude Hamilton was also at
the meeting.
Once everyone was seated at a conference room table, Claude Hamilton
spoke. "My son Drew has something to say."
Drew surprised everyone there by asking Loc a question. "How are you
feeling?"
"Fair, I'm feeling a little better."
Claude was watching his son and the Metzger girl carefully. The CEO
didn't approve of the way Drew was addressing the nigger girl. Drew
Hamilton was here to apologize, not talk about the weather.
"Are you having any more operations or are you done when the cast comes
off?"
Loc looked down at her hands. "I go into the hospital again the week
after next. That should be my last operation."
"I will pray for you," Drew told Loc.
"Thank you."
"You'll be able to walk all right when it's all over with?"
"I should."
Drew continued to make small talk with Loc for a couple of more
minutes. Tom Metzger held his daughter's left hand throughout most of
the meeting.
Dave Little, the attorney who represented the Hamiltons, finally
whispered something into Drew's ear. The meeting then got down to
business.
"Loc I am so sorry for what I caused to happen to you and for killing
your boyfriend Jeff. What I did was terrible, and I know there is
nothing I can say that can bring back Jeff to you. All I ask is your
forgiveness. I'm very sorry."
Drew continued to talk and Loc listened quietly as she looked the young
man straight in the eye. Loc felt Drew was sincere in the apology he
was making. It didn't sound rehearsed, but straight from the young
man's heart.
While looking across at Drew, Loc began to get all tingly. Drew
Hamilton was a handsome young man, one who once asked the real Loc out
on a date. Now the new Loc was finding Drew good looking. Could Loc
like Drew after what he caused to happen to her?
Loc shook her head for a moment as if to get that idea out of her head.
Tom looked over at his daughter. The father asked Drew to stop speaking
for a moment.
"Princess are you all right?"
"Yes Daddy," Loc said as she squeezed her father's hand. "I'm fine."
"If you need anything, let me know."
Dean Hadden spoke. "If Ms. Metzger needs some rest, we can take a short
break."
Claude Hamilton was getting impatient. All this deference for a nigger
girl. What was the world coming to?
"I'm fine. Drew can continue talking."
Drew began talking again. He spoke of the mistakes he had made and
promised to never make again.
"Loc, I've learned a lesson. I really have."
'What do I do Loc?' Loc thought, asking her late girlfriend for
guidance. 'Would I be dishonoring you if I forgive Drew?'
Loc had been grappling with this question ever since Julie Metzger
brought up the subject of forgiving Drew. Today Loc would have to come
up with the answer.
"I'm sorry Loc. Could you please forgive me?"
Loc gave her reply after some forty-five seconds had passed. She
remembering the real Loc's deep faith in God. "Drew, I accept your
apology."
"Thank you Loc."
Tom Metzger couldn't fail to notice a sigh of relief from the other
side of the table. He admired what Loc had just done, but the father
still wished he could beat the crap out of Drew Hamilton. Drew had hurt
his little girl!
Dean Hadden spoke. "Ms. Metzger we were hoping you would say this in
court. Can you?"
"Yes sir, I can."
The Hamiltons had one piece of the puzzle if they were to get Drew a
light sentence. No word had come yet from David and Carol Lockwood if
they were willing to do the same. Without the Lockwoods support, Drew
Hamilton could still face time in prison.
Claude Hamilton knew this. He hated having his son's fate in other
people's hands, even if Drew was at fault.
The attorney for the Metzgers, Gerald Lozman, then spoke. "My clients
are hoping a financial settlement can be reached soon. They have many
bills resulting from Ms. Metzger's medical treatments that are in
urgent need of being paid.
Dave Little spoke but not before checking his watch. He had other legal
business to do that day. "We can do that, I suggest a meeting next week
between myself and Mr. Lozman to work out the details."
Mr. Lozman conferred with his clients. "That's acceptable."
The conference then broke up. Both parties leaving the conference room.
Tom Metzger leading Loc out into the hallway.
"Princess, wait here. I need to talk to Mr. Lozman for a minute."
"Ok Daddy."
Tom took Gerald Lozman back into the conference room for a minute. No
one else was present. "I want you to get everything I listed on this."
Gerald Lozman took the envelope handed to him by Tom Metzger. Inside
was one typed page, listing what the father thought was a fair
settlement. "I'll try Mr. Metzger, but don't count on us getting
everything."
Out in the hallway, Loc waited quietly. She was leaning against a wall,
using it for support.
Drew Hamilton then came out of a nearby room. "Thank you Loc."
"You're welcome Drew."
"When is that operation you're having?"
"A week from next Monday."
"I hope you get well fast," Drew replied back. He was about to say
something else but his father was tugging on his arm. "Bye Loc."
"Bye."
Tom Metzger came out of the conference room a few moments later. The
father now wishing he had spent more time with Loc during her recovery.
Tom would have if not for his job. "Ready to go home?"
"Yes Daddy. Can we stop for an ice cream on the way there?"
Tom Metzger smiled. "Absolutely Princess."
*****
The following evening, Drew Hamilton went to look for his mother before
going to bed. He found her in the downstairs sitting room.
"Mom, can we talk?"
"Of course dear." Elizabeth Hamilton replied. Drew Hamilton then took a
seat on a sofa directly across from his mother.
"Mom I'd like to ask some advise," Drew began saying.
Elizabeth Hamilton listened quietly to what her son had to say. "Drew,
I think that is a splendid idea. That would help show your apology to
be truly sincere."
"Thank you Mom."
"If you need any help with the arrangements, let me know."
"I will." Drew then got up and kissed his mother. "Good night Mom."
*****
Like every Saturday, Carol Lockwood spent much of her day cleaning the
Lockwood house. It was a once a week all-day job, but the mother had to
do it. She hated a dirty home.
If there was one part of the house that was the cleanest, it was
Jeffrey Lockwood's bedroom. Carol kept the room meticulous, spending
more time in that room probably than any other but the bathrooms. One
visitor to the house had noticed this when visiting with the Lockwoods.
Why did the mother spend so much time in there?
Maybe because the room was like a shrine to her dead son. Carol didn't
want to change it in even the slightest way from the day her Jeffrey
died.
When visiting the room, Carol would often look through her son's
things. It was what helped keep her sane. The pain from Jeff's death
was still agonizing to the mother. In this room she felt as if she was
still with her son.
The box with the notes from the makeshift memorial from the previous
summer was still there. Carol would sometimes read the notes, but it
always became too emotional an experience after just a handful of
readings.
That snowy January Saturday saw Carol looking through some of Jeff's
senior year notebooks. The boy's handwriting wasn't the best, but Carol
could decipher what was written.
It was while looking through an English notebook of Jeff's, that Carol
found a list of favorite quotes. The mother vaguely recalled some
homework her son had done on just that subject.
Carol read the list. Some of the quotes were familiar but most weren't.
Then she came to the third one from the bottom of the page.
The mother began to cry. "Oh Jeff."
As soon as David Lockwood came home from work that day, Carol showed
her husband the discovery she had made. The father read it three times,
even he couldn't prevent himself from crying.
"Jeff wrote that?"
"Yes but it belongs to someone name Robert Muller." Carol said pointing
to a note in the margin. "It is the only quote Jeff underlined."
David looked at his wife. "You really think we can forgive that boy?"
Carol had been thinking of her discovery and what it meant since
finding the notebook two hours earlier. The mother felt with absolute
certainty it was a message from Jeffrey.
"We have to. Jeff sent us a message today. If we love Jeff, we can't
ignore it."
David looked at his wife. Both were aware of Loc's meeting with Drew
Hamilton, Julie Metzger having told Carol of it on Friday evening. The
Lockwoods had lost so much more than Loc and the pain was just
incredible. Their only son was gone.
"Yes I agree." Carol and David spoke a little while longer. The couple
making a decision to contact Drew Hamilton's attorney the following
week.
What was the quote Carol Lockwood discovered in her son's notebook? It
read-
"To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you
will receive untold peace and happiness."
*****
The Lockwoods contacted Dean Hadden on Monday. They wanted a similar
meeting with Drew Hamilton to the one the Metzgers had.
This would have to wait for a bit. Claude Hamilton was out of the
country for ten days on business. In the meantime, Gerald Lozman had
his meeting with Dave Little. It was there that Tom Metzger's list was
presented. The Hamilton family attorney read it, and promised to get
back to Gerald Lozman shortly after Claude Hamilton's return to
Wilmington. No promises were made.
Carol Lockwood in the meantime got in touch with Julie Metzger. The
news of the Lockwood decision was then passed to Loc.
Loc knew what this meant. Unless she took the necklace and ran away,
the former Jeff Lockwood had without a doubt painted herself into a
corner that she couldn't get out of.
Jeff Lockwood would have to be Loc Metzger the rest of her life.
*****
Maybe that was why Loc was so upset the morning of her fifth operation.
Either that or it was the pain Loc knew she'd have once again following
surgery. Loc was crying in the pre-op area as she lay on a hospital
gurney. Her surgery was only minutes away.
Julie Metzger was there, and she felt so hopeless. If she could have
taken away her daughter's pain and given it to herself, Julie would
have happily done it.
"I hate the pain," Loc said between the sobs. "When will it ever end?"
"This will be the last time sweetheart. I promise."
What got into Loc's head next, not even she could recall later on. "Mom
what if there was a way I could get better without surgery."
Julie patted Loc's hand. "Sweetheart, I wish there was."
"What if there was? A magic object that could make me better," Loc said
referring to the medallion. "It would make me like I was before the
crash."
"That would be nice sweetheart," Julie replied back. She didn't find
the conversation one bit odd. Everyone, her daughter included, had
fantasies. "But there isn't, is there?"
Right then a nurse in surgical scrubs came around the curtain. "Time
for you to go young lady."
Again Loc had no choice, she had waited too long. "No Mom, there
isn't."
Julie Metzger kissed Loc, before watching her daughter be wheeled off
to the operating room. The mother walking behind Loc and the surgical
nurses, till Julie made it to the waiting room. There the mother took a
seat and once again prayed quietly to God that her daughter's medical
issues and pain would soon be a thing of the past.
*****
Later that morning, Dave Little had his meeting with Claude Hamilton.
The first thing the CEO did was read the settlement sheet given by Tom
Metzger.
"Who do these people think they are?" Claude then angrily threw the
paper back at Dave Little. "That's extortion."
Dave Little thought some of Tom Metzger's demands were a bit exorbitant
but weren't totally unreasonable and could be negotiated downward some.
The attorney tried telling that to Claude.
"If we pay out this much to the girl's family, then what do you think
the dead boy's family will be wanting?"
"I don't really know Claude."
"Well I do, and nothing is going to make me give in to these demands.
Nothing!"
"You do know what that means?"
"Yes I do. We'll go to trial," Claude said angrily.
"What do I tell the Lockwoods?" Dave Little asked. He had already
appraised Claude of their decision from a week earlier.
"Tell them nothing. My mind is made up."
"Very well," Dave Little replied back as he closed up his briefcase.
The moment after the attorney was out of his office, Claude vented his
deep down feelings to the empty room. "Cocksucking leeches. I won't
give that nigger family a fucking dime."
*****
Tom Metzger didn't get to New Hanover till 4 p.m. He had a lot of work
to do, otherwise the father would have come in earlier. Instead he had
spoken to his wife Julie around lunchtime. Loc had come through the
operation without complications and was in her room.
What a room it was. It was New Hanover 's VIP room. A two-room suite,
with a large screen television and stereo system.
Tom was shocked on seeing the room his daughter had been put in. "I
hope someone is paying for this."
"Hi Daddy," Loc said to her father. Tom came right over and kissed his
daughter.
"How do you feel Princess?"
"Not too bad. Did you see my room?"
Tom Metzger had indeed. In addition to the other things already noted,
there were two vases of red roses plus a large circular bouquet of
flowers in the room. A large Panda Bear doll was standing in one corner
of the room by the window.
"Yes Princess, I did," Tom replied back to Loc before asking his wife
Julie a question. "Where or who did this all come from?"
"Drew Hamilton mostly," Julie explained to her husband. The bouquet,
one vase of roses and the Panda Bear all had notes attached that were
signed by the young man. The second vase of roses had no note. Maybe it
was from the hospital. "Apparently the Hamiltons paid for this room
too."
'That's the least they can do for my Princess after all she has had to
suffer.' Tom thought as he nodded his head. "The operation went all
right?"
"Yes. Dr. Stone said Loc should come home in two days and this was the
last operation."
"I wonder how we're going to get all this stuff home," Tom said
referring to everything in the room.
Loc's frame of mind was much better now than it had been earlier in the
day. Maybe it was a leftover side effect from the anesthesia. "Don't
worry Daddy, just tie me down on top of the mini-van's roof. I'll hold
on tight!"
Julie and Tom laughed along with their daughter. The Metzgers were glad
their daughter was doing well and almost back to normal. Loc's long
journey back to good health would soon be reaching a happy climax.
*****
The Metzgers just didn't know yet about Claude Hamilton's change of
heart. Two days following his meeting with Dave Little, Claude gave
Dean Hadden new instructions.
Dean strongly disagreed with Claude, but did as told. Drew Hamilton
hadn't the courage to stand up to his father and meekly went along with
taking up the fight again.
The Monday after Loc's surgery, saw the next court hearing for motions
in the matter of North Carolina vs. Drew Hamilton. Neither the Metzgers
or Lockwoods were there, but a reporter for the Star-News was.
"Motion denied," an angry Judge Castle decreed. Dean Hadden had just
asked for a change of venue for the trial.
It was Claude Hamilton's idea. The case had gotten a lot of publicity,
but Dean Hadden had always felt that- One the case wouldn't get a
better hearing in another part of North Carolina. The teenagers were
too sympathetic compared to the rich defendant.
Two was that Dean was almost certain the case would never go to trial.
The risk being too high that Dean Hamilton would get the maximum
sentence of thirty years in prison. Some kind of plea agreement would
be made.
On the way out of the courthouse, Claude told Drew. "Son, you will not
be going to prison. No jury will ever convict you."
Drew didn't believe a word his father was saying. The young man still
felt he deserved jail for what he had done, so in a masochistic sort of
way went along with his father. In his heart, Drew felt he deserved to
be punished for killing Jeff Lockwood.
*****
The following day the Star-News printed an article on the previous
day's court hearing. Both the Metzgers and Lockwoods were shocked to
hear the case was going to trial. What had caused the sudden about
face?
Both families tried contacting either Dean Hadden or Dave Little but no
return calls were made. The attorneys both having their hands tied by
Claude Hamilton.
That didn't mean someone else couldn't knock some sense into Claude
Hamilton III's thick skull. There was one very important person that
the CEO was forgetting.
*****
"Good afternoon Mrs. Hamilton," Millicent Eaton said to Claude
Hamilton's wife. Elizabeth Hamilton was a very rare visitor to Hamilton
Enterprises. Millie couldn't recall the last time the woman had paid a
visit to her husband's office other than for the yearly Christmas
party. "How may I help you?"
"I need to speak to my husband. Is he inside?"
"Yes but he's in a meeting," Millie replied back. Elizabeth then went
straight into her husband's office.
Claude Hamilton was in a meeting with two of Hamilton Enterprises' Vice
Presidents. He was quite astonished to see his wife there and rose from
his chair as soon as Elizabeth entered the room.
"We need to talk," Elizabeth Hamilton told her husband.
Sensing the urgency in his wife's voice, Claude dismissed his two
employees in addition to telling Millie he wasn't to be disturbed. As
soon as this was all done and no one else was present, Claude asked his
wife why she had come to the office.
Elizabeth threw a copy of the Star-News on her husband's desk. The
paper was open and an article on page 3B was circled. "Now tell me you
haven't gone bloody mad?"
As was her usual custom, Elizabeth spent the morning watching
television at breakfast and reading only small parts of the daily
newspaper. With rare exceptions, Drew Hamilton's mother paid little
attention to hard news. Politics rarely interested Elizabeth nor did
stories about local crime and mayhem.
So it wasn't till 9 a.m. that morning that Elizabeth found out about
the change in her son's legal strategy. All thanks to the Star-News.
After reading the article on page 3B, Elizabeth spoke to Drew and then
she had a meeting with Dean Hadden. The defense attorney spelling out
quite clearly the gamble that was being taken.
Elizabeth also spoke to Dave Little, but by phone. There she found out
about the details of Tom Metzger's settlement proposal.
As much as Elizabeth was angry with Claude's poor judgment so far as
Drew's legal defense goes, she was equally angry with her husband for
keeping her in the dark. Drew was her son also and in such an important
matter, Elizabeth deserved to be consulted.
"The families are vultures. These niggers want to......" Claude began
saying to his wife.
"Niggers????" Elizabeth said with a voice full of rage at her husband.
Claude Hamilton had never been spoken to in a fashion like this except
by his father, and never once so by his wife in their over thirty years
of marriage. "These are people we're talking about. Living human beings
like you and me! A mother and father who lost a son and another family
who had their daughter put in the hospital for six months because of
what OUR SON Drew did."
Elizabeth Hamilton knew a little about the pain the Lockwoods were
going through, Carol in particular. See Drew's mother had gotten
pregnant a sixth time eighteen months after her youngest son was born.
The sixth time around Elizabeth felt different about her pregnancy. The
mother of five boys feeling strongly she'd have the female child she
had so longed for. Then at ten weeks pregnant, Elizabeth miscarried.
The boy or girl would have been born the same year as Jeff Lockwood and
Loc Metzger. Elizabeth's loss and the memory it invoked, made her feel
a deep empathy towards Carol Lockwood in particular, but towards Julie
Metzger also.
Claude tried objecting again. "Yes sugar but....."
"Yes sugar me nothing Claude Hamilton III. We're going to settle this
case, and pay those families every cent they want."
"They want millions. We could lose...." Claude tried to object but his
wife took the floor again.
"Drew could lose his freedom and that matters more than any amount of
money!. These mothers and fathers want to forgive our son and let Drew
stay out of prison. I don't care if we give the Lockwoods and Metzgers
fifty million dollars each, IT'S WORTH IT."
Claude hung his head. "I'll do whatever you say sugar."
"You better Claude, or I'll seek a divorce and leave you in a minute."
"Don't do that sugar. I'm sorry."
"Then settle with the Metzgers and Lockwoods at once. If you don't
write the checks to the families, I will!" Elizabeth Hamilton then
stormed out of her husband's office, slamming the door on her way out.
Claude stood there in dumbfounded shock for almost a minute. Then he
pressed an intercom button. "Millie, call Dave Little for me. Tell him
we need to speak at once."
*****
The Metzger's settlement meeting took place the next day. Tom Metzger
and Gerald Lozman were in attendance with only Dave Little also
present. Claude Hamilton had given the attorney wide latitude in
regards to the agreement that would be made that day.
Loc wasn't at this meeting. She did come home from the hospital as
predicted after only two days and was healing well at present. However
in the meantime Loc had since come down with a nasty cold. Loc was
spending that particular afternoon in bed being fed hot soup by her
mother.
"Ms. Metzger is still ready to ask the court for leniency?"
"Yes my daughter is."
A few small changes were made in the settlement offer originally
offered by Tom Metzger. Dave Little passed a copy of the new proposal
across.
It was still incredibly generous. All of the Metzger's legal fees and
Loc's medical expenses would be paid in full. There was also much more.
Gerald Lozman read the offer. He then whispered to Tom, "They are
proposing a yearly pay out rather than a lump sum."
"Do you feel that's fair?" Tom asked back.
"Yes I do. I'd accept their offer."
"Agreed then." Tom wanted this matter settled as quickly as possible.
As much for Loc getting closure as it was to get his family out of the
financial strait jacket they were in.
Dave Little then passed a certified check to Tom. It was for $250,000
and made out to Loc Metzger.
"This is a preliminary payment, so as to let you take care of any
present expenses your daughter has. My clients will finalize the rest
of the settlement and make further payment within 30 days. Is that
acceptable?"
Tom again conferred with his attorney. Loc's unpaid medical bills
totaled almost $150,000. The check would pay off all those bills plus
other expenses the Metzgers had incurred. Tom Metzger had been keeping
a tally of Loc's paid expenses to date. They totaled over $80,000. "Yes
it is."
"Then I think we're done for now," Dave Little said as he rose from his
seat.
Tom Metzger thought of one last thing he wanted in the settlement. It
was for Loc, and the father very well knew he had the Hamiltons over a
barrel.
"I'd like to make one more request as part of the agreement."
"What is that?" Dave Little asked. Tom then gave the attorney the
answer. "I'll have to consult with my clients about this. We'll have a
reply for you in twenty-four hours.
Tom Metzger got his answer the next day. The last request was approved.
That very same day, the Lockwoods met with Drew Hamilton, who then
apologized in a fashion similar to the way he did to Loc.
David and Carol Lockwood, remembering their son's underlined quote,
agreed to ask Judge Castle for leniency at the time of Drew Hamilton's
sentencing. A confidential settlement was also agreed to in their
wrongful death suit against the young man and his father.
*****
It was sentencing day for Drew Hamilton, and all parties involved were
present at The New Hanover County Courthouse. Loc was dressed in a
khaki skirt and yellow blouse plus a jacket which she had taken off
once in the courtroom. Her right leg, was still in a walking cast. Loc
was seated on the right side of the courtroom, with her mother and
father on each side of her.
Jeff Lockwood's parents were also there. Seated just one row in front
of Loc. Mrs Lockwood crying quietly throughout most of that day's
proceedings.
On the other side of the court was the family of the defendant, Drew
Hamilton. In a show of support, all four of Drew's brothers had come to
court that day. Two of them being accompanied by their wives. They were
all seated in the second row.
In the front row was Claude Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth. Like
Jeff's Mom, Elizabeth Hamilton could be seen crying during that day's
court proceedings.
And of course the defendant Drew Hamilton, dressed sharply in a hand
tailored suit, was seated at the defendant's table. Seat next to him
his attorney Dean Hadden. Across the aisle was the Prosecutor Asst. DA
Donna Weibring. An unnamed assistant was seated next to her.
In addition to the above people there were a few unidentified
spectators present. There were also two people in the back of the
courtroom taking notes, possibly newspaper reporters for The Star-News
or another North Carolina paper.
Loc was making a picture in her mind of everyone present and for a
reason. While it was true Drew Hamilton would be sentenced that day,
another sentence was being handed down. It was just an unannounced one
and unknown to all but Loc.
She was being sentenced to life as a woman.
True Loc could still use the necklace, but in so doing she would
destroy a family that had seen her through an agonizing recovery. No
matter how much she wanted to be Jeff again, Loc couldn't abandon the
Metzgers. Particularly Julie Metzger, Loc's Mom who had pushed, prodded
and encouraged Loc through her long recovery. In so doing Jeff had
bonded with his late girlfriend's mother. Too long a road in life had
been traveled for Loc to turn back.
To use the necklace again would cause Mr. and Mrs. Metzger incredible
pain. Loc didn't have the heart or strength to do this.
Loc may have been able to go through with it if not for Jeff's parents.
His Mom and Dad, both grieved for their son, but had accepted his death
and had now forgiven the boy who had killed him. They had gone through
a long agonizing process to get to that point, one that couldn't be
easily reversed by their son miraculously re-appearing. What would
everyone say when Jeff reappeared?
No Loc would have to accept it. She was a woman from now on in. Loc
never gave serious thought to just disappearing and taking a new
identity with the help of the necklace. Again she would have hurt too
many people.
The court bailiff then began speaking. "Will everyone rise......." With
the help of her parents, Loc got up out of her seat.
Judge Franklin Castle had presided over the matter of North Carolina
versus Drew Christian Hamilton since the first day the case had been
put before the New Hanover County Court. Today, if all went as planned,
it would be the last day in the history of the case.
"Please be seated."
Julie Metzger whispered in Loc's ear the moment they were in their
seats again. "How are you feeling? Are you having any pain?"
"Very little right now and I'm alright Mom." Loc would hold Julie
Metzger's hand or vice versa through most of that day's hearing.
Most of the court proceedings were very technical and boring to Loc.
She would have preferred to be somewhere else. Like laying down at
home, but that wouldn't do.
The crimes Drew were pleading to were all misdemeanors. Drew's original
charges were felonies but if he had pleaded guilty to those, the young
man would have a criminal record that could have barred him from his
planned career, medicine. So instead Drew was charged with two
misdemeanors. This had all been agreed to by the Lockwoods and Loc.
After saying he would plead guilty, Drew Hamilton had to confess
totally to the crime he had committed. The legal term for this was
elocution.
Drew's elocution made Loc recall that fateful June night. As Drew
talked, Loc began to remember the ride home and the things she had been
talking about with the real Loc.
Loc still didn't remember how the crash happened, the last thing she
recalled from that night was a mention of Colleen Wells by her
girlfriend. Now Drew Hamilton was retelling what had happened.
This was so painful to hear and it made Loc relive that terrible crash.
As she began to cry, Julie Metzger patted her daughter's hand.
After his elocution was completed, Drew Hamilton asked if he could make
a brief statement. Judge Castle told the young man to proceed.
"I want to say how sorry I am," Drew said first looking at the judge
and then turning to face the Metzgers and Lockwoods. "What I did was
incredibly stupid and foolish. I deserve to be punished, but I have to
apologize first."
Julie Metzger looked first at Loc who was by then wiping her eyes with
a tissue and then towards Carol Lockwood. The mother was crying with
her husband alongside her with an arm around his wife. Julie admired
how the Lockwoods were handling this day.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood, I'm sorry for what I did to Jeff. I can't bring
him back but I wish I could. Please forgive me."
Tom Metzger was burning a slow fuse when Drew Hamilton came around to
addressing him, Jule and Loc. Loc was crying and the father hated
seeing his daughter do this. He knew Loc was hurting right then. For
that reason the father could have strangled the young man in front of
his eyes. No one should be able to get away with what Drew Hamilton did
to his little girl.
Hearing a sob from Loc, the father bent over and kissed his daughter.
"I love you Princess."
"I love you too Daddy."
"Loc I'm sorry," Drew Hamilton said looking straight at the teenager.
"For killing Jeff and putting you in the hospital. I ask for your
forgiveness."
Drew Hamilton spoke for a few more moments before sitting down. After
that came more court and legal formalities. Then it was time for Drew
Hamilton's sentence.
"Do I read this correctly?" Judge Castle asked. "The defendant is to be
sentenced to five years probation and two thousand hours community
service?"
"Yes your honor," both defense counsel and the prosecuting attorney
said almost simultaneously.
Judge Castle then addressed Donna Weibring. "The District Attorney's
Office feels this is a sufficient sentence for the crimes Mr. Hamilton
pled guilty to?"
"Yes your honor, both victims' families have signed off on the
defendant's sentence."
'More likely bought off,' Judge Castle thought to himself with a grunt.
"I'd like to hear that myself from the families."
A moment later Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood got up from their seats. They
would address the court for almost ten minutes, with Jeff's Mom doing
most of the talking.
Mrs. Lockwood first talked about Jeff. How close he was to his parents
and sister Tabitha, the activities he enjoyed, his making all County
2nd team at Tight End while playing football. Jeff's Mom also mentioned
her son's plans for the Air Force. Of course Loc was mentioned too when
Mrs. Lockwood talked about her son.
Right then Mrs. Lockwood took a moment to look back at Loc. "Loc, you
mattered so much to Jeff, and to me and Jeff's father also. Our son
loved you, and we love you too. We were always happy Jeff had you for a
friend. We'll miss you too though I hope we can all stay in touch."
Loc was really beginning to sob then. Why didn't she just stand up and
say who she was? For a few moments, Loc was seriously thinking of doing
it.
It was what Carol Lockwood said next that changed Loc's mind. "My
husband and I forgive Drew Hamilton. It wasn't easy to put aside our
anger, but we had to. It was the only way my husband and I could heal
completely."
Carol picked up her son's notebook and pointed to it. "I found this two
months ago. It was a notebook Jeff used for English class. I'd like to
read a favorite quote of Jeff's that he wrote down."
Loc was looking over at her real Mom. She remembered that homework
assignment, but not the quote. There were still many holes in Loc's
memory nine months after the crash.
"It is from Robert Muller and it reads. To forgive is the highest, most
beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and
happiness."
Carol Lockwood read it again. By the time she was through, there wasn't
a dry eye in the courtroom among the women present. Many of the men,
Judge Castle included, were also moved by the quote.
After a pause, Carol Lockwood spoke again. "My Jeffrey wrote this down
and I feel my finding it was meant to happen. Jeff was sending me and
his father a message. That we need to forgive to be happy again, that
for me to love my son I have to forgive. I'll never forget or stop
loving Jeffrey, but I do forgive Drew Hamilton."
"There is one last quote I'd like to read," Carol said taking a piece
of paper out of her coat pocket." It comes from Buddha. It reads-
'Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of
throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.' "I was
angry at Drew Hamilton but now I forgive him."
Carol then sat down. David Lockwood spoke only for a moment. "I agree
with everything my wife just said."
After David Lockwood sat down, Judge Castle spoke. "Ms. Metzger, you
may speak now. Feel free to remain seated if you feel too uncomfortable
to stand. The court will understand."
Loc had only gotten control of her emotions moments before. She decided
to speak standing up. Julie Metzger holding her daughter's hand if Loc
needed help to remain steady on her feet.
Before speaking that day, Loc asked herself what the real Loc may have
said. The words Loc used next, were meant to convey that.
"Hi Mom," Loc said as she put a hand on Carol Lockwood's shoulder. "I
call Jeff's mother Mom. She is one of four Moms I've had in my life."
"First was my Mom in Vietnam. Daddy met her in Saigon when stationed
there in 1973. She gave birth to me but died in April 1975 just before
the war ended. My Daddy tells me stories of my birthmom. I was an
infant when my mother died, but Daddy's stories keep Mom alive for me."
"Then I have my Grandma in Virginia. When Daddy came home with me from
Saigon, I went to live with my grandparents. They raised me till I was
five, my grandma who isn't here today, was and is like a mother to me
too."
Loc then turned to her left. "My Mom next to me, adopted me when I was
six. She loves me as much as any of my Moms. Her love grew in her heart
for me, and my love grew in the same way. When I was in the hospital,
this Mom made me want to get well again and pushed me to work hard at
it. I was hurting so awful and often wished to be dead. Mom wouldn't
hear any part of that. She made me not to feel sorry for myself."
Julie didn't know whether to cry or smile at what Loc had just said.
She therefore did a little of both. Tom Metzger also had tears in his
eyes.
"Then there's my fourth Mom, Jeff's Mom. Jeff and I were friends from
the time we were both ten. I spent so much time at the Lockwood house,
that Jeff's Mom, Dad and sister Tabitha became like family to me. Mrs.
Lockwood gave me Jeff, so she counts to me as a Mom, I have called her
Mom many times, not just today."
"Now that Jeff's gone, I still feel Mrs. Lockwood is a Mom to me. Today
I got one of the most valuable lessons I will get in my life. Mom
Lockwood, you taught me today the true meaning of forgiveness."
Carol Lockwood began sobbing loudly at this point. There were few sets
of dry eyes in the courtroom.
One of those sets belonged to Claude Hamilton III. The man was cringing
in his seat more with every passing minute. Claude had work to do, and
resented having to hear this babbling from a nigger girl.
"All my Moms have taught me something. One day I hope to marry and then
I'll have a fifth Mom. I only hope she will be as special as all those
who I had so far."
Elizabeth Hamilton then whispered in her husband's ear. Not till that
morning had Drew's mother ever been in the same room with Loc Metzger.
Nevertheless, Elizabeth had already formed an opinion of Loc. "This is
one lovely and charming young lady. I only wish Drew would marry her.
She would be a wonderful influence on not just our son but all of us."
"My name is Loc, which in Vietnamese means luck or fortune. My sister
and grandmother sometimes call me Lucky. I am lucky, lucky to be alive
but more lucky and blessed to have such a wonderful family.
"Mom Lockwood, Jeff is gone but he lives on. Inside of you, inside of
Jeff's Dad and inside of me," Loc knew the irony of what she was
saying. "And inside all of those who loved Jeff We won't ever forget
him but we have to forgive to keep the memory strong. Love is always
better than anger."
"Drew," Loc said to the young man who caused her so much harm and pain.
Drew turned around to face Loc. He had nice baby blue eyes and Loc
couldn't fail to note them right then. "I forgive you and hope you
learned a valuable lesson. Remember in the future to think what harm
can be caused to others by your mistakes. We've both made our share,
none of us is perfect, but both of us need to learn from our mistakes
so we never repeat again. "
Loc then sat down. As soon as she was seated, Tom Metzger bent over and
kissed his daughter on the cheek.
"I'm so proud of you."
Judge Castle was genuinely moved by the statements of both Loc and Mrs.
Lockwood. He therefore dismissed his earlier conclusion that the
families were motivated by money when choosing to forgive Drew
Hamilton.
The time for Drew Hamilton's sentencing arrived. Judge Castle then
said. "Will the defendant please stand?"
Everyone in the courtroom got to their feet. Loc included, with both
her parents giving the eighteen-year-old assistance. Loc's ankle was
genuinely hurting by now.
"This court sentences the defendant, Drew Christian Hamilton, to five
years probation plus two thousand hours community service," Judge
Castle said.
Immediately cheers could be heard from where the Hamilton family was
seated. This disgusted both Tom Metzger and David Lockwood to no end.
Judge Castle brought down his gavel ordering everyone to be quiet. Then
he addressed Drew one last time. "Young man, you've committed several
serious crimes and only the kindness of the Metzger and Lockwood
families kept me from sending you to prison, which rightly deserved to
happen to you."
"I do want to warn you, that any violation of your probation will have
the most serious of consequences. This court is adjourned."
'I'm Loc for good now,' the former Jeff Lockwood thought as a tear
trickled down her face. Julie Metzger seeing this, patted her
daughter's hand once again.
Tom Metzger was boiling with rage right then. For as soon as the
verdict was announced, Drew Hamilton found himself being congratulated
by his family, some of who barely concealed their excitement at the
verdict. This was all very distasteful to Tom, and he felt others in
the court room felt so also. One teen is dead and another nearly
crippled and this family is acting like they won a sporting event!
'I could just strangle that boy,' Tom thought to himself, as he Loc and
Julie made their way out into the aisle.
Julie could see Tom was angry, his face having turned red with rage.
"Tom, forget it."
"I can't" Tom said as he seriously thought about striking the Hamilton
boy. He was about to cross the aisle and do just that when Elizabeth
Hamilton approached the Metzgers instead.
Then Loc spoke up. "Daddy, please be strong for me."
Hearing his daughter's plea, Tom Metzger did just that. "I love you
Princess."
Up till then, only Julie Metzger had noticed what Elizabeth Hamilton
had been doing in the courtroom. The moment after the verdict was
handed down, Drew's mother approached David and Carol Lockwood.
"I'm deeply sorry for the pain my son has caused both of you and all of
your family. There is nothing I can say or do to bring back your
Jeffrey and I feel partly to blame for what my son did. Please forgive
me."
The sincere words from the mother struck true with Carol Lockwood. She
and Elizabeth Hamilton immediately embraced.
Then came the Metzgers turn. "Young lady, I'm very sorry for what my
Drew did to you. I feel partly responsible and ask your forgiveness."
"I forgive you. Drew too," Loc said and then she embraced Elizabeth
Hamilton also. The mother then went on to repeat her apology to Loc's
parents also.
After that was over, the Metzgers began their way out of the courtroom.
Loc on her crutches and making slow but steady progress.
"Daddy we have to forgive them."
Tom Metzger smiled at his daughter. He admired Loc's courage and
strength after all the trials she had been through over the last nine
months. "What ever you say Princess."
Outside the courtroom members of the press had gathered hoping to get
comments from the participants in that day's court proceedings. Loc
hadn't planned to say anything, but couldn't avoid it.
"I forgive Drew Hamilton and wish him the best. Now please excuse me,"
Loc told the television cameras. The first sentence of Loc's brief
statement would be used in both that day's evening news broadcasts and
in the next day's Star-News.
"Do you need my help sweetheart?" Julie asked Loc.
"No Mom," Loc said with a smile, "I'm a big girl now." Then Loc set off
for the nearby restroom. While in court, Loc had told her mother she
needed to use the restroom before leaving for PT.
Tom watched as Loc walked off towards the bathroom for the handicap. As
the father did, another microphone was stuck in his face.
"What do you think of your daughter's decision to forgive Drew
Hamilton?" a television reporter asked.
After putting an arm around his wife Julie, Tom replied. "We support
Loc's decision one-hundred percent." Then the Metzgers walked away from
the reporters. The press seeing they were now to be ignored, then
turned on the Hamilton family who were then exiting the courtroom.
*****
"I guess Jeff you'll be sitting to pee from here on in," Loc said with
a slight sigh as she got up from the toilet. After the now customary
wipe between her legs, Loc tossed the wad of toilet paper and then
flushed the toilet.
Loc, with a cast still being on her right leg, found it slow going in
the bathroom. Dressing and undressing or just having to go potty were
real chores. Still Loc had turned down her mother's offer of
assistance. The teen feeling she had to get used to caring for herself.
In another month the cast should be off entirely and Loc would need to
be independent.
After getting properly dressed again, Loc used her crutches to exit the
restroom. Loc was feeling thirsty, and began walking to a nearby water
fountain.
Someone was already there getting themselves a drink of water. It was
Drew Hamilton, and he saw Loc coming his way.
"Excuse me," Drew said as he stood up straight. The young man then
stepped to the side so Loc could have a drink.
"Thanks," Loc said to Drew just before she began quenching her thirst.
She noticed the young man was standing just to the side of her rather
than going back to his family.
"Loc, I just want to say again how sorry I am for what I caused to
happen to you and Jeff. Please forgive me."
When Loc was done getting a drink, she stood up straight and looked
over at Drew. "I forgive you Drew. Thank you for the flowers and the
Panda Bear doll last month."
"You're welcome."
Loc began walking towards her parents. Her ankle was really hurting
then. Should she ask her mother for another percocet?
As she got closer to Mom and Dad, Loc saw both her family and the
Hamiltons looking her way. Photographers and video cameramen were also
taking pictures of Loc. It was only then that Loc noticed Drew was
trailing close behind her.
"Loc?" Drew said speaking up. Loc then turned around to face him.
"Yes Drew."
"Loc," Drew said in a very quiet and even voice. "When you are feeling
better, would you like to go out on a date with me?"
*****
Claude Hamilton hadn't heard a word his son Drew said, but had a good
guess what was happening. The CEO was quickly getting sick to his
stomach.
His son Drew had what Claude called a 'puppy dog' look on his face. The
father had seen it before. In each case it was when the CEO was first
introduced to a girlfriend of one of his other sons. The girlfriend
usually becoming one of Claude William Hamilton III's daughter-in-laws.
Was Drew in love with this nigger? Claude asked himself. His son had
admitted his attraction to the Metzger girl before, and that tidbit of
info had stuck with Claude ever since. Now out of some warped sympathy
for this girl, would Drew let himself fall in love with a colored?
Claude was seriously considering going over to Drew, grab his boy, and
then slap some sense into him. Even doing it in this very public of
places. Some things just couldn't be allowed to happen in the world of
the Hamilton family. The rules would need to be laid down to Drew
Hamilton. That no nigger was ever going to marry a son of Claude
Hamilton III. Never.
*****
Loc felt very confused. She found Drew handsome, but he was also
responsible for putting her in the hospital and for killing Jeff. Do
you tell him to get lost? Loc was asking herself just that.
"Drew I don't know."
"That's all right Loc," Drew said as he took an envelope out of his
pocket. "I heard your birthday just passed. Happy birthday."
Loc took the card. "Thank you."
"I got you a mall gift certificate. My phone number is inside there
too. Let me know if you ever want to go out with me."
"Ok, bye Drew," Loc said before continuing to walk over to her family.
Less than a half hour later, and as Julie pulled the Metzger family
mini-van up outside the office where her daughter went for PT, Loc told
her mother what Drew had said to her.
"He really asked you out on a date?" Julie asked Loc just before
exiting the mini-van to go help her daughter.
Loc didn't reply till her mother opened the door for her. "Yes Mom,
Drew asked me out. He also gave me a birthday card and a mall gift
certificate".
Julie smiled as she helped Loc out of the mini-van. "What did you tell
Drew about the date?"
"I said I didn't know."
Julie was thinking as she and Loc walked towards the doctor's office.
She had mixed feelings about Drew Hamilton. "Sweetheart, you do
whatever you feel is best."
"Thanks Mom."
*****
Drew wasn't disappointed by Loc's non-answer because he was surprised
by what he had done. It was never Drew's plan to ask Loc out again on a
date.
Having failed, Drew went to re-join his family. His father then took
the young man by the arm and pulled him to the side and out of everyone
else's hearing range.
"You are never to talk to that Metzger girl again. Do you understand
me?"
Right then and there, Drew lost it for a moment. He had long known of
his father's ancient and out of date racial views, but had ignored them
till now. Now Drew took a verbal swing back at his father.
"Fuck you Dad. I can see or date anyone I like." Drew then turned on
his heels and walked away from his father.
*****
A month after Drew Hamilton's sentencing, Loc had her cast removed. Her
ankle was now totally healed. Finally Loc was free from the injuries
she suffered the previous June.
Not long afterward, Loc began walking around two miles a day. This
exercise regime would eventually progress to two-mile jogs three times
a week. If not for the scars on how lower leg being visible when Loc
wore shorts or a bathing suit, no one would have known Loc had been so
seriously hurt.
Now with her leg back to normal again, Loc had lots of time on her
hands before heading off to Duke in August. Watching All My Children
every weekday may keep Loc slightly busy but there were still twenty-
three other hours in the day to fill. Loc was feeling very bored again.
While not in need of money, Loc took a job at a neighborhood Winn-Dixie
as a cashier. This kept her busy 20-25 hours a week and allowed the
teen some public contact outside the tight confines of her family.
Jeff Lockwood's birthday passed on April 18th, and Loc decided to call
Mrs. Lockwood that day. The mother was happy for the phone call and she
invited Loc to lunch. Jeff's mother had accepted her son's death, and
had some news to share with Loc.
"Jeff's father and I are applying to be foster parents again."
Loc remembered a three-year-old boy named Adam who lived with the
Lockwoods back in the late eighties. Adam was a foster child and David
and Carol Lockwood had planned on adopting the boy. Then Carol came
down with cancer in 1987. Too ill to care for the child, the Lockwoods
had to return Adam to the state.
"That's wonderful Mom."
Carol Lockwood and her husband were putting to use the settlement they
had gotten from the Hamiltons. No amount of money could replace their
dead son, but with it Jeff's parents hoped to adopt a few children.
They'd never replace Jeff, but give the Lockwoods children to love like
the son they lost.
"I think Jeff would approve. Don't you agree?" Carol asked Loc.
Loc smiled. She was happy to see her parents happy and coping so well
without their son. "Yes Mom, Jeff would."
By 1998, the Lockwoods had adopted two boys after first becoming foster
parents to them. Also Carol and David adopted a girl from South Korea
in 1997. One of the Lockwood's new sons they named Scott Jeffrey and
their new daughter Sarah Loc.
On the way home from lunch, Loc and Carol Lockwood stopped by the
cemetery where Jeff was buried.
"I still come here once a week," Carol told Loc before they began
praying.
'Hi Loc, I'm here with my Mom. Please pray for her and help keep her
strong.' Loc thought to herself while standing next to Carol Lockwood
on that cool April afternoon.
On the way home, Loc told Carol Lockwood about what Drew Hamilton had
said to her. Loc was still thinking about Drew's offer to take her out.
"Loc, do whatever you feel comfortable with. I've forgiven Drew and
wouldn't feel hurt if you were to date him."
Loc's 19th birthday had taken place only a few days before Drew
Hamilton's final sentencing. In May of 1994, Loc got a late birthday
present.
"Mom, where are we going?" Loc asked as she and her mother rode home
together after a visit to the mall together. Julie Metzger wasn't
driving the normal route home.
"I just wanted to do something different," Julie said as she turned
into The Wilmington Auto Mall's parking lot.
"You and Dad are looking for a new car?"
"Maybe. I just wanted to look around a little. Would you like to look
too?"
"Sure," Loc told her mother as they pulled up outside the Toyota
section of the mall.
Loc and her mother spent two hours in the mall looking at cars and even
taking two test drives. One of a Toyota Camry and another of a Nissan
Maxima. Both Loc and her mother taking turns behind the wheel of each
vehicle.
"Which car did you like best?" Julie asked Loc after leaving the Auto
Mall.
"The Maxima was nice. I liked the black color."
A week later, Loc got a Black 1994 Nissan Maxima from her parents.
Courtesy of the civil settlement Drew and Claude Hamilton made with the
Metzgers. It was that last item Tom Metzger had asked for. The car was
paid for in full for Loc.
Loc was surprised by the gift, though looking back she shouldn't have.
Her trip to the Auto Mall with Mom and the test drive should have been
a tip off to what was coming. The first thing Loc did after seeing the
gift, was to hug and kiss her parents.
"I'm glad you like it Princess." Tom told his daughter. He was
delighted beyond words to have his little girl both happy and healthy
again.
The only sad note during the summer of 1994 was Loc's grandfather Dan
Metzger being diagnosed with Alzheimers. One day he took the family car
and drove it 200 miles till it ran out of gas. The diagnosis didn't
come as a complete surprise to the Metzger family, but it was still
sad.
*****
On the day after receiving her very own car, Loc made her final
decision in regards to Drew Hamilton. She called the number the young
man had given her. Drew wasn't home, but Loc left a message.
Just after her daughter arrived home from work the next day, Julie
Metzger gave Loc a message. "Drew Hamilton called. He left a number and
said for you to call anytime."
"Thanks Mom."
Loc took the home's portable phone and went upstairs to her bedroom. It
was almost 4:30 in the afternoon.
The number Loc dialed was answered. on the second ring. "Hello."
"Hi Drew, it's me Loc."
"Hi Loc, how are you?"
"I'm good. Mom just gave me your message."
"You wanted to talk to me."
"Yes Drew, I did. I remember you asking me out on a date. If the offer
is still there, I'd like to accept."
Loc had thought things over. She was female for good now. Loc didn't
see it as odd her dating a man now. That's what most women do, and Loc
of course was a woman.
"Loc, it is. I'd enjoy the chance to take you out."
Drew and Loc talked for a couple of minutes. They settled on going to a
movie the next evening, a Friday.
Loc had already thought about what the real Loc would think of this.
After much thought, Loc felt she'd be fine with it. For like Mrs.
Lockwood said, anger only hurts the person who is angry.
Now the easy part was over. Loc had to tell her father now.
"You want to go on a date with Drew Hamilton?" Tom Metzger asked. He
had never been told by either his daughter or wife about Drew's
courthouse offer to Loc.
"Yes Daddy I do."
"Don't you remember what he did to you? To Jeff too?"