It is a hectic week for all parties involved. As soon as charges are pressed against Tapiwa he’s taken into custody. After hearing his full story, Kupa is a bit hesitant to keep going but her father talks her into staying the course.
“I understand Kupa, but he still has to face his actions. If he had actually raped you…..”
She nods quickly, cutting him off. She understands. His parents get him a lawyer as they said they would and a date for the hearing in court is set.
The day comes to attend the court hearing and Kupa would rather her parents go through with it without her, but she has to be present. She has to testify.
Tapiwa pleads guilty and his lawyer goes with the insanity defense. He says at the time Tapiwa was too high to know what he was doing. He also submits that his addiction to a concoction of drugs affected his mental state. Kupa gives her testimony, caught in between going back to feelings of anger or to continue to see Tapiwa as one needing help. She decides to be honest and only that.
The proceedings end and the magistrate rules. Kupa holds her breath not knowing what to expect. The magistrate seems to be taking his time but she supposes that’s how it ought to be seeing as it is a person’s life on the line.
The magistrate starts by letting the court know that under normal circumstances, an attempted rape charge is a straight 5 years without any room for lenience.He makes it a point that he is in no way excusing the actions of the young man but also has to put into account the evidence brought forward by the defense. Having looked over the report written by the court psychiatrist who was assigned to evaluate Tapiwa,he gives Tapiwa one year in a rehabilitation facility in which his progress will be monitored by a court appointed psychiatrist. The rest of the 4 years, Tapiwa will have to do community service and report to a community service liaison appointed to his case.
Kupa lets out a deep breath she didn’t know she was holding. She expected it to be worse. However she thinks it’s only fair. She’ll heal from her trauma soon enough,but Tapiwa needs more help than just a few prayers.
Kupa looks at her mother and can’t tell whether she’s happy or sad. Tanya feels a little sad for the boy but can’t express how relieved she is to have him shut up somewhere where he has no access to her daughter. But she’s also worried; he’s just one of the countless boys Kupa will meet and she can’t be there to protect her from all of them. To be honest, she too as a mother is traumatized. But she has to trust that God will protect her child.
Pastor Charles was also at the court and Dylan shakes his hand in gratitude,
“Thank you Pastor for coming. We are glad the church could be of help in this issue…”
Pastor Charles nods and addresses Tapiwa’s parents as they approach,
“ I will visit Tapiwa as often as I can..Please join us one Sunday at church .”
Tapiwa’s father nods absent minded; that’s probably the least of his worries.
Dylan and his family take their leave. Going home Kupa now only thinks about what the youths at church will say. How will she show her face there after all the drama? She made a scene. So much for “plenty of room at the cross”. She knows the ladies will be coming up with all sorts of stories.
Tanya looks at her daughter and sees the worry etched on her face.
“Tapiwa will be fine Kupa..”
The girl breaks out of her reverie,
“It’s not that Mama…”
“Well,what is it?”
“ It’s just..” she stutters,
“ Must we go to church?I mean maybe I can miss a few Sundays,let it die down…”
She looks down, clearly distressed. Tanya knows exactly how she feels. She’s been there, afraid of how people see her and how they judge. She had been away from church for weeks after her falling out with Dylan. She looks at her husband for guidance and he squeezes her hand.
“ We’ll be fine Kupa,” says Dylan, smiling at her through the rear-view mirror.
“One step at a time. Let’s not rush into making decisions just yet. We get through this and the next until we get to Sunday and we can decide then, how’s that?”
Her father is always so full of insight. She smiles back and relaxes. She doesn’t have to think about that now. Time heals, doesn’t it?
Tanya smiles too. Sometimes she’s envious of Dylan’s gift to just speak and make everything sound like it’s going to be ok. They will deal with those nosy elders’ wives when they have to. What’s important is to live a day at a time learning to embrace the curves as they come.
