Sarah looked up, confused.
“Her husband left two years ago,” I continued. “She cleans offices, but sometimes she barely earns enough to feed her children.”
Walter closed his eyes.
“Margaret, please.”
“Those things he stole weren’t for himself,” I said. “He was taking them to Sarah’s house.”
Sarah
stared at me.
“What?”
“For months, he’s been leaving groceries, clothes, and school supplies at your door.”
Sarah shook her head.
“He told me he was buying those things with his pension.”
“And you believed him because he told you not to worry about the money.”
The judge looked at Walter.
“Is this true?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why didn’t you tell the court?”
Walter glanced toward Sarah.
“She spent months making sure I didn’t go hungry. I wasn’t going to make her stand here and feel responsible for what I did.”
Sarah covered her mouth.
But I wasn’t finished.
