CHAPTER 13 - Four Months, Four Years

For the next few days DeAnna didn't talk much and did alot of crying. Anthony knew there was something wrong with her but he didn't say much. Finally, they were sitting on his hammocks and she was so quit and felt like crying.
"I got a letter in the mail."
"Oh! I figured something was wrong but thought I'd let you tell me when you were ready. What is it?"
"I've gotten a lot of DUI's through the years. And I just got a court date for the last one."
"How many are a lot?"
"15!" Tears start falling down her face as she turned toward the ocean so he wouldn't see her.
"15? You don't have that bad of a drinking problem. How you get so many?"
"There's never been 5 years between any of them. Like one I missed by 1 month. So they just keep holding them against me."
"Damn! I know how the court system is. When is your court date? I wish you would of said something to me about this before. I probably could of helped. I'm not sure now that you already have a court date."
"It's in 2 weeks." The tears just kept falling.
"Well, I'll see what I can do! Come on inside." He said as he got up. She followed him inside and he brought her some tissue. She wiped her eyes and he took her in his arms and held her tight. God, it felt so good to have someone hold her. He was so big, strong and intelligent. She had to be so strong all the time working, taking care of the boys, the house, the bills, food and everything else. It felt so good to feel weak in a man's arms. God, how she wished she would of meant him so long ago. It would of really been nice to have a man by her side she could trust. And she trusted him so much. She felt like no harm could ever come to her as long as he was around.

On court day Luz her good friend went with her to court. She was really nervous and scared. It seemed like forever before they called her name. Finally, they called her.
They gave her a four year sentence in prison. And since she had three children they have her two weeks to find somewhere for them to go.
She walked out of the courtroom in a daze. FOUR YEARS! What was she gonna do with her boys? She always worked so hard to keep them together. Even if their fathers didn't care about them SHE LOVED THEM! THEY WERE HER LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!! SO NOW WHAT SHE GONNA DO????????
Luz took her back home. And really felt sorry for her. She knew how much DeAnna loved her boys and hard she worked. And also knew all the things she had been through. She understood about her drinking. Sometimes it is a good form of release. All though she knew drinking and driving was not a good combination.
"Well, give me a call if you need me for anything. You know I'll always be here to help in anyway I can." Luz said as she hugged DeAnna goodbye.
DeAnna broke down and cried and held Luz so tight. "Thank you Luz! You've helped me out so much. I'll always love you! You've been such a good friend."
Luz started crying too. "I want to be the one to take you when you have to turn yourself in." She said as she headed out the door.
"Ok! Thank you!" DeAnna shut the door and ran to her room to cry. Luckily the boys were still in school. She couldn't do anything but lay there in bed and cry.
Lorraine stooped by one afternoon after work. She was about in tears.
"What's wrong Rainey?" DeAnna asked as Lorraine walked into the house.
"You're never gonna believe this! Do you know where they're sending us?" It was their last year there in Georgia. Every four years the Coast Guard sent them to a new area. But they wouldn't tell where they were being sent until a few months before they were sent off.
"Where are they sending you?" DeAnna knew Lorraine wanted to go back to Alaska. That's where they were before they were sent to Georgia. Lorraine loved it there so much. She showed her all kinds of pictures of it there. She really loved the Bald Eagles and seals there.
"They're............." she could finish and broke out crying.
"Rainey girl, it'll be alright!"
"No, no it won't! They're sending us to New York. STATEN ISLAND OF ALL PLACES!" Lorraine screamed as tears fell down her face.
"Oh my God!" DeAnna knew she hated the city life. DeAnna gave her a big hug and just held her tight as she cried. "Come on girl!" DeAnna said as she started to burst out in tears with her. "Do you know where I'm going?"
"No........... where?" Rainey asked as she looked at DeAnna drying her tears.
"Prison!"
"OH NO!" Lorraine said as she sat down on the couch. "What are you gonna do with the boys?"
"Well, I'm sending John to his dad's in California. And Keith is going to the Didera's who babysits for me. She and her husband are living in Brantley County. And Jamie's going to Joyce's another babysitter of mine. Her and her husband live in Brantley County now too."
"Well, at least they'll be with people they already know." Rainey said.
"Yea! I thank God for that."
"Well, I still cann't believe they're sending us to NEW YORK!"
"I'll trade you places!" DeAnna laughed through her tears.
"No, that's ok! But I have to live there for the next four years! They may have given you a four year sentence but you can get out sooner with good behavior."
"I know but it'll seem like years no matter how long I'm really there for."
"Well, I need to get home. Scott will be home shortly."
"Ok, I love you girl!" DeAnna said as they gave each other another hug.
"Be strong! And remember I love you!" Rainey said as she walked out the door to her car.
"Thank you girl! I love you too!" DeAnna waved as she pulled out the driveway. Tears rolled down her face. GOD WHY DOES LIFE HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS?
DeAnna shut the door and ran up to her room to cry again! WHY? OH WHY?