own dinner.”
I wiped my eyes.
“When he found out, he couldn’t sleep.”
Walter’s chin trembled.
“She was feeding me with food she couldn’t afford to eat herself.”
He told the judge how he’d started buying groceries for Sarah’s family.
When his savings dwindled, he sold his old watch and several belongings.
Eventually, he began stealing.
“Every time I thought about stopping, I’d remember those children,” he whispered.
I turned toward the judge.
“I found out when I saw him carrying bags home one afternoon. He finally admitted he’d been
taking things from the store. He showed me Sarah’s note and begged me not to tell her.”
Sarah began crying.
“Walter, I never asked you to do any of this.”
“I know, sweetheart.”
“You should have told me.”
“You wouldn’t have let me help.”
“And now you might go to jail because of us.”
Walter looked toward her, his eyes filling with tears.
“No. I stole those things. That’s on me.”
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Sarah stood.
“Your Honor, there’s something he doesn’t know.”
Walter looked up.
“My
