It’s the night before I have to go to court, again. And I’m nervous.

I’m not sure why though.

The last time it was an interesting experience. We sat in a courtroom (um…looks nothing like on T.V.) and waited for a few hours while the judge worked through all the other people who were up for sentencing. Then, when it was my turn, I went up and told the judge how I felt and what I thought the punishment should be.

When I left the courthouse I was in a mild state of shock. The kid seemed so contrite (but I have to wonder if he would have been that contrite if he’d not gotten caught) and he was in tears when the judge handed down the sentence: 18 months in prison. That’s a year and a half of his life that can’t be spent dropping the SOAP in the shower. All because he and his friends were stupid and broke into my house.

Still, I must remind myself that he did, after all, commit the crime and should be willing to do the time. Another part of me is still frightened that he might retaliate.

And I get to go through it all again tomorrow morning.

The other two boys deferred as long as they could and it will be their turn to stand in front of the judge, beg for leniency, and then get shipped away to the big house.

And again I will feel the same incongruous feelings. It’s such a shame that these boys wasted their lives on what? A couple computers, a sword, some jewelry, DVDs, and a few other knickknacks and bric-a-bracs. Unfortunately, that wasn’t all they took: They took my sense of security and for that, I feel they deserve whatever they get.

*sigh*