Breaking Matthew by Jennifer H. Westall

of you. If you plead guilty to a much lesser charge, say manslaughter, then most likely the judge will give you the minimum sentence. Considering the circumstances, it might be just a couple of years.”
    “It might be. But it could be a lot more.”
    “Well, yes. For manslaughter it could be up to twenty-five.”
    Twenty-five years . Covering my face with my hands, I forced myself to breathe slowly. No matter what happened, it seemed I was heading off to prison. How had I gotten myself into this? Breathe in; breathe out. My throat ached, and a few tears slipped down my cheeks. I heard Mr. Oliver clear his throat.
    “Miss Ruby, I know it’s hard to think about going to prison. But we should consider that it would be a lot better than facing the electric chair.”
    Coming back up for air, I wiped my face on my sleeve and tried to still the tremor in my voice. “You’re p-probably right. But…can I have some time? To think about it?”
    “Oh, sure,” he said, his expression clearing of concern like the sun emerging from behind the clouds. Heaving himself up, he put the chair back in the corner of the cell. “I’ll speak with Mr. Garrett and make sure we can proceed, if that’s what you decide. And I’ll get all the paperwork ready.”
    I suddenly felt too tired to stand. “Thank you,” I managed.
    He stepped over to the cell door and called out for Sheriff Peterson, who appeared within seconds. Then Mr. Oliver bid me a last farewell, and I fell back onto my cot to release the tears I’d been trying to hold off.
    “Oh, God!” I sobbed. “Is this what Your will is for me? What do I do? Please give me Your peace, Your strength, Your grace. I’m empty and so afraid!” I pulled my hands into my chest, trying to hold back the fear threatening to take over my mind.
    Nothing came. No words of comfort. No whisper of love or encouragement. I ached for His voice, but there was nothing.

 
    Chapter Seven
    Matthew
    When I came out of the courthouse, it was drizzling just a bit. The bank was only a few blocks away, so I decided to pull my coat a little tighter and walk. It gave me a chance to ponder my options—leave Ruby to sit in jail all alone, or pay off her bond and endure her anger? It wasn’t really much of a debate. I’d known what I was going to do from the outset, but her resistance had given me pause. I was already in need of forgiveness for turning my back on her. Should I risk even more of her ire?
    I said a quick prayer and decided I’d just have to ask for more forgiveness. I’d borne her wrath many times in the past, and this was for her own good. She’d see that as soon as she got back home with her family. And she’d see that I wasn’t going to leave her to fight this battle on her own. Then she’d forgive me. Maybe.
    I entered the bank and waved at Judy Hathorne behind the counter. She’d gone to school with my older brother, Frank, and her husband had died a few years back. Father had put in a good word for her and helped her get a job at the bank so she could feed her two kids.
    “Is Mr. Campbell in?” I asked her.
    She smiled and pointed toward the back corner. “He’s at his desk.”
    I thanked her and headed that way. Parker Bank & Trust was about the only reliable bank in town the past several years. There’d been one that closed all together in ’33, and a small building and loan that did its best to stay afloat, but like many businesses, it struggled to keep its doors open. Father had never put his money anywhere but Parker’s, and he hadn’t allowed any of his kids to either.
    As I approached Mr. Campbell’s desk, he smiled and waved me over. “Why, Matthew! I haven’t seen you in here in some time. How are things going?” He stood and extended his hand. Mr. Campbell was an old friend of my father’s and about his same age. His face was lined with years of worry, which I presumed to be over the stock market.
    “Just fine and dandy, thank you,” I said.
    He motioned