Judging Melany: Regrettable & Forbidden, #4

By Robyn Branick

Is Melany found guilty of murder or her promiscuous past?

Melany's jury of her peers find her guilty, but she doesn't care. She goes to jail seeking freedom from the prison of a fake society, judging her past behaviors. Melany's friend does her best to find ways to get her out of prison, but she finds security with her new friends. Until, they turn on her as well.

If you like betrayal, twists, and scandal, you'll love Robyn Branick's "Judging Melany," the fourth book in her series, The Regrettable & Forbidden.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robyn Branick
• Release date: Feb 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386544531

Robyn Branick

Robyn Branick is an American self-published author. “Saving Lisa” is the third work in the short novelette Series, The Regrettable and Forbidden, a historical fiction drama. “Wendy’s Song” is the first work in the series. “John’s Journey” is the second. Robyn has written a fictional memoir called “19.” A college student that discovers a life altering illness at 19 years old. She goes through the emotional aspects of discovering herself and how to deal with change. Robyn earned degrees at Ramapo College of New Jersey and William Paterson University. Robyn holds bachelor degrees in Fine Arts-Visual Arts and Liberal Studies with concentrations in English and American Studies. Robyn can be contacted at any of the following addresses below: https://robynbranickbooks.com/ https://twitter.com/RBranickauthor https://www.facebook.com/robynbranickbooks

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CHAPTER ONE

MELANY SLOUCHES IN the chair as the bailiff presents himself to the court. He shouts to the crowd, All rise.

She slowly stands; Melany knows her fate. The prosecutors did not let up on her promiscuous behavior. The jury of her peers is made of housewives and stuck up rich folk that never had troubled pasts.

Melany figures there is nothing to lose at this point, this trial has been going on for almost a year and it has been a losing battle from the start. She winks at one of the jury members. He blushes, pulls on his collar, and turns his head quickly. Another jury member notices and rolls her eyes.

The judge asks the jury how they find Melany; of course, she is guilty. Every one of those women on that jury would love a chance to put all of their husbands’ whores away for life.

They wouldn’t know the truth—and wouldn’t care anyway. She killed in order to save Lisa’s life. In any case, this is a new era for Melany, and she is okay with getting away from the high society of liars.

These eighteen months in jail have taught her that although—it may not be the most comfortable place, the people are genuine. Prisoners don’t think they’re too good for you in the daylight and try to get in your pants at night. They either like you or they don’t. Prisoners show their true colors from the start. At least that’s what Melany has seen so far.

As the bailiff walks towards Melany, Amy screams for her mother. Wait, don’t go yet! I love you.

Babe, you can visit anytime, it’s alright, Melany replies knowing her twenty-seven-year-old daughter would likely avoid visiting any prison. Their history was not a pretty one.

Her daughter’s best friend Lisa also calls out, Thank you, Melany, I love you.

Melany smiles at the woman’s sincerity. You give that babydoll a big smooch on that squishy head for me, Melany’s eyes water and she places her handcuffed fists as close to her heart as she can. Melany felt important when Lisa let her babysit Kylee. Nobody gave her a chance to feel human like that, trusted with something as important as a child. Melany has grown to love the little girl like her own.

Melany knows that Kylee thinks of her like a grandmother. Kylee gives her a true love that even her daughter, Amy, doesn’t have for her anymore. Kylee is her heart. That little babydoll is her only regret about going to prison-she won’t be around to see her grow up. Melany looks towards the bailiff and he takes her out of the room.

Ames, I have to find Jasper. We can’t have your mom locked up. I know if we get him, we can find a way to get your mom’s charges dropped. Lisa says.

That makes no sense. Jasper disappeared. He left because he didn’t want to be found after raping Wendy. How will he be the key to setting my mom free?

If we can convince the cops that he was raping Kate too, we can make them realize she was aggressive and unstable. Kate attacked me in that stairwell waiting for Jasper. Your mom saved my life, it wasn’t all bullshit.

Alright Lis, but I don’t think we’ll ever find him.

I’ll ask around work, somebody has to know something.

Days later, Lisa is back at the mental facility sitting at the nurse’s station, trying to make sense of what to do to help Melany.

How did the trial go for your friend’s mom? one of the nurse’s ask.

She was found guilty. It isn’t fair. She didn’t want to get a defense attorney, she had no chance. She let the prosecutors slaughter her. They talked about her past and she was done.

That sucks. Did you go on the stand?

No. I told her lawyer to put me up there, but Melany didn’t want me involved.

Lisa, you’re probably better off, trust me.

Honestly, trust is a big issue I’ve been having lately. Lisa gets up and walks away.