2003-02-20 - 11:38 p.m.

she was five at the time of the trial. her hair had turned from blonde to a gentle brown, and she was looking older than her years.

her father was there. the room was full of people decades older than she, but she fit in. she was the main attraction. she sat in this witness stand in a blue dress with tiny red flowers, almost like the kind you see on fancy dinner plates.

the prosecuting attorney asked her who she was and how old. she replied hesitantly. the attorney came up and held her hand while her dad watched with tears in his eyes. the attorney asked what the man sitting over there did to her. she didnt want to answer, but she knew what she was supposed to say. they had went over this before.

she was so scared. she didnt want to say the truth. it wasnt to be told. he told her no one would love her anymore if she did. he told her no one would believe her.

where did he touch you? she replied. did he do anything else? she replied. do you remember what day this was? the little girl knew, saturday. her favorite cartoons were on that morning.

let the court see exhibit "a", medical reports from the little girl's physician.

she did not look at him once, she was afraid he was very angry with her. the questions stopped, and she was scurried out of the courtroom, eyes peering from every direction. it reminded her of when she had to bring the "gifts" up to the alter during church.

he was sentenced to fifteen years. fifteen. and this little girl was never supposed to have children. fifteen years for a lifetime of vivid memories that dont fade away. fifteen years for a girl who had to grow up way in one saturday. fifteen years for a girl who didnt understand why, or what was happening.

fifteen years for a women who cant tell anyone why she has such issues with sex. fifteen years for a women who shudders everytime she hears the words molested or raped. fifteen years for a women who still thinks of that day fourteen years later. to the day. february 21.

fifteen fucking years.