Chapter 5 - TRAVIS TRIED TO EXPLAIN
Travis eventually entered a plea.
Not because he suddenly understood what he had done.
Because the video existed.
His attorney called it an impulsive act during a moment of frustration.
I hated every word.
Impulsive.
Frustration.
Moment.
As if vocabulary could shrink a bat.
At sentencing, Travis spoke.
I attended because I wanted to hear whether he would say Noah’s name.
He did.
“I never intended to seriously hurt Noah.”
My hands tightened.
Wrong start.
“I was under stress.”
Wrong.
“I lost control.”
Closer.
Then:
“I understand that what I did was unacceptable.”
Not enough.
But something.
The judge imposed incarceration, probation, mandatory intervention programming, and a no-contact order involving Noah.
No movie-monster sentence.
No life imprisonment.
Real consequences.
Outside the courthouse, a reporter tried to ask Derek what he thought.
He said:
“This isn’t my story to tell.”
Then walked away.
May you like
Good.
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