“A New Stage In Life”

The sentencing didn't go particularly well. Mike was sentenced to 22 months, Shannon to 20. This wasn't a surprise, but it was a disappointment: as we came to know them, we understood them (including how and why they did what they did); with understanding came care and eventually love; with love came hope (for a light sentence)... and with all of the continuances, hope turned into a sort of positive thinking, a groundless belief that they wouldn't really "go away" for so long.

But once we were there, it was clear that the hope had simply provided a chance for them to experience something like a "normal life" for a couple of months. Their lawyers both told them that it didn't look good... it was really a 'vain hope.'

I won't go into all the gory details. The judge thanked me for our letter and acknowledged that he had read it. I hope it had something to do with his decision to shave a few months off of both of their sentences.

Our relationship with Mike and Shannon started with, "We're going to prison for two years, would you take care of our baby while we're gone?" Everything that happened while they were here was good for all of us in many ways, but in the end it worked out almost exactly as it started: theyv'e gone away for almost two years, and we're raising their baby. (Who, not coincidentally, is sleeping on me as I write this.)

Policy in the CT state prison system is that non-violent offenders can be released on parole after 50% of their sentence has been served. Emphasis on "can be."

So now we start a new stage in our lives... one where Corinne and I get to raise a baby as our own, together, for the first time (Shane was already fifteen when we met). We'll make sure Lauren knows her parents by taking her to visit them as often as we can, realistically (that will probably mean one on one week, the other the next week).

One last thing: Mike had a message that he asked me to pass on to everyone: they started a new life when they came to live with us, and regardless of when it happens, they'll continue down that new road when they come home again. (He also said, very clearly, that he's very happy to have a home. He even gave me permission to go into "his room" to get stuff for the baby!)