"Young lady, your work ethic in juvenile detention has earned you stellar marks and an all expenses paid scholarship to a university of your choice. This means tuition, room and board are paid for. I suggest a part time job if you wish another arrangement than the dormitories.

"Your occupational therapy work has also earned high accolades. This shows a complete turn around from your situation when you were put under detention in the state's care. I see no residual aftereffects from the injuries you incurred. Your counsellors, teachers and even the maintenance staff all speak highly of your motivation and dedication to making the best use of your time with them."

The judge stared down the prosecutor who was tapping his pen impatiently then continued.

"The notes on your performance in the work program, are more than adequate. I have a glowing report on your teamwork and willingness to step in and take the extra tasks. If you continue with the same attitude, you will succeed."

Melinda blushed at the judges words. High praise indeed, but really the rehabilitation deemed necessary because of her crime was pretty much unneeded. She knew she was innocent but proving it was another matter. Circumstantial evidence convicted her, and since no one wanted to listen to her delusional screams of innocence, she made a vow.

Take the system for everything it would give her.

At the beginning of early puberty at the age of ten, she was young to be deserted into the state's care. She never saw her Aunt Deloras or her cousins and uncle again. When the judge continued his release instructions, she listened with half an ear. Lana Cooper, her state appointed legal representation, was the best thing to happen to her. She already briefed her on the rules she couldn't break.

The hearing was finally wrapping up. Melinda hoped the reporters Lana was worried about decided not to show up. The hearing was closed to protect her. Strange to think about it now when she was approaching her eighteenth birthday. Almost half her life so far inside the facility in a small town in Colorado. Melinda knew the news stories from the fire in which her parents and two brothers perished, weren't very complimentary. Lana tried to have her placed in foster care, but social services and her own silence worked against her.

Nightmares plagued her. Always the same. Following the footprints leading from the house into the forest wearing the pretty pink snow boots her mother bought two weeks earlier. Following the steps, she had to know who the black shape was. The fire started in her room, and no one listened, so she stopped talking.

"Melinda Durant, do you wish to change your name?"

The judge's question startled her. Lana said it was a possible choice the court would allow her.

"No, your honor. It's mine, and it's all I have. I still have to prove my innocence."

The judge's eyes grew thoughtful. "When you do, make sure the state pays for their mistake."

Her eyes popped. It was the first time anyone came close to believing her, right from the first contact with a policeman at the fire scene.

"I understand your surprise. Since the records of your case have already been sealed, I see no issue with expunging the record from your name. I am granting defense's application. I have heard everything I need to on the matter. There is more than enough doubt cast on previous evidence. I wish you the best Melinda."

"But Melinda Durant is convicted of four counts of murder---"

The prosecutor's voice petered out into silence under the judge's stern gaze.

"I will not entertain any further arguments from the State of Colorado."

The prosecutor snapped his mouth shut.

The judge raised his gavel and glared at the lawyer muttering under his breath one more time. The rap silenced the courtroom.

"Court is adjourned."

Melinda resisted the urge to run. Freedom at long last. Not even parole which Lana assured her was standard procedure.

"Do you know where you are going?" Lana asked, a smug smile blossomed across her face.

"I do, but I'm scared to my bones. I've only been outside on the work program."

"Then it's a good thing you are coming to live with me for the next couple of months before you head to school. I will be here in four days to pick you up. It's a birthday present you have worked for and earned."

Melinda looked around the courtroom with its gleaming wood surfaces and pew like benches in the gallery. "I'll be back here, Lana."

"I'm sure you will. Don't forget, Dr. Elizabeth."

Dr. Elizabeth Harrow, child psychologist, who patiently sat with her, letting her draw stick figures and flower pictures for almost two years before she opened her mouth to talk again.

Melinda nodded. "I'll be keeping all my appointments. Once a week until school starts. I want to learn how to drive too."

"That's ambitious, Melinda. We've got to get you clothes, a cell phone, a laptop and a couple of other things before you go off to university."

"Not to mention a job."

"Your boss at Starbucks has given you a top notch assessment, and you've shown a talent for managing already. I doubt you'll have an issue grabbing a part time job."

"Full time, Lana."

"Don't overload yourself, kid."

"I'm going to do it my way. I want to be able to save some money that I earned. Besides, there are expenses which are mine even if I'm supposed to be on an all expenses paid scholarship. I don't want to live in the dorms."

Lana nodded, her bangs falling into her eyes. Her greying hair shone with silver highlights. "My sister and her business partners will let you rent the apartment above their shop. You'll be working there anyway. Don't even start arguing with me on this. They need a fresh face and a barista who can handle their coffeeshop."

Melinda wanted a complete break. She wanted to prove she could do it on her own. She shrugged her shoulders. "I guess the best thing to say is thank you. I'll try not to blow it."

"He's not going to find you here, Melinda."

"We don't even know if he's a he," she countered.

"We'll go with it for now."

Melinda shivered. Was she insane for not taking it slower? For not taking the halfway house option. For wanting to find out where Deloras Elaine Durant-Williams and her family were. Her Aunt's refusal to take her brother's surviving child into her home and the lies she told to make sure Melinda took the fall for the arson, were the first thing she wanted to confront. But first she had to find her.

"Ladies, court is adjourned." The bailiff reminded them.

"Yes, sir, it is. We'll be out of here in a moment." Lana snapped the clasps on her briefcase closed. "Time to get on with your life Melinda."

"I'll try to keep it together."

"You're one of the strongest people I know. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you'll get where you're going girl."

"So, you've told me for years. Now I just have to do it." All of a sudden reality stared her in the face. No going back to juvie, not ever again. Her face must have given her anxiety away because Lana came back with the familiar words which always grounded her.

"Deep breaths Melinda. And then follow me. One step at a time and you'll get where you're going."

Keep breathing, please keep telling me one step at a time. I can't have a panic attack now.

"Come on Melinda. One step. You can do it."

Yeah, but can I really do it? And will I be able to keep my klutzy self under control? Am I delusional thinking I'll make it as a barista? And what am I going to do when you aren't there anymore Lana?

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