Chapter Six : Price of recklessness
Whitney admired her mother in every way. Growing up, she enjoyed her mother's company far more than her father's. Francis had always lived a reckless life, and that was likely one of the reasons Whitney felt uncomfortable around him most of the time.
By the age of five, Whitney already sensed that her father was not living right. There were always troubling issues at home—problems that constantly robbed Becky of peace of mind. The most devastating of these was a court case involving Francis and a clergyman named Rev. Dan Smart.
The final day in court was both dramatic and emotional.
Rev. Dan Smart was a widower. His wife had died of brain cancer five years earlier, leaving behind their only son, Tim, who was 35 and had chosen a celibate life. When Tim heard that his father was critically ill, he came with his private doctor to visit him. After checking on him, they returned to their cars, which were parked by the roadside.
Tragically, a speeding exotic car lost control and slammed into Tim's vehicle. Tim died instantly, though the doctor was unharmed. The driver was Francis. He sustained severe injuries, and his girlfriend, Janet, who was in the car with him, also died on the spot.
At first, no one had the courage to tell Rev. Smart, still on his sickbed, what had happened. He kept asking about Tim's next visit. Eventually, two members of his congregation found the strength to deliver the heartbreaking news. Upon hearing it, Rev. Smart wept like a child. Contrary to expectations, the tragedy didn't worsen his condition. In fact, he began recovering a week later. Within three weeks, he was able to rise from his sickbed.
Francis, meanwhile, was hospitalized for two months. His condition was so critical that people feared for his life. But Becky and Whitney didn't abandon him. They stayed with him throughout, and he eventually recovered and was discharged.
Despite his recovery, Rev. Smart remained bitter toward the man who had taken his only son. He decided to press charges. Some neighbors tried to dissuade him, encouraging him to forgive, but he was determined. To him, Francis needed to learn a lesson.
The judge received a report that the accident wasn't solely due to overspeeding but was also influenced by alcohol. Though Francis wasn't drunk at the time, there were traces of alcohol in his blood, suggesting that a hangover might have impaired his judgment.
The courtroom was tense. The judge was about to pass a sentence that could see Francis jailed for life when Rev. Smart broke down in tears.
"Hey, Reverend! Can we proceed with this hearing?" the judge asked. "This emotional display is a distraction. Do you have anything to say before I deliver the final verdict?"
"Yeah…" Rev. Smart stammered.
The courtroom fell silent. His eyes were red and swollen. Slowly, he lifted his head from his hands. The people who had come with him were stunned to see him cry.
"What exactly do you want, Reverend Dan Smart?" the judge asked again.
"Please, let him go," the Reverend said quietly.
The courtroom erupted in disbelief.
"What do you mean by that?" the judge demanded.
"I want him freed," Rev. Smart repeated.
"But he has already admitted guilt. This is a criminal offense under the law."
"Yes, I know. But I want to withdraw the case now. I'm sorry for wasting your time."
"This is highly unusual," the judge said. "May I ask—why this sudden change of heart?"
Rev. Smart sighed heavily and sobbed.
"Two reasons, my lord. First, I heard a still, small voice urging me to forgive Francis. I tried to resist, but then I looked at him—and I saw my son's face in his. I wept harder. I tried to shake it off, to reject what I saw, but the voice came again. It pleaded with me to let go… to let my son's soul rest in peace."
A collective sigh swept through the court.
The judge, visibly moved, paused for a moment before speaking again. "Francis, you are hereby discharged and acquitted. You owe your freedom to the mercy of your prosecutor. The crime you committed could have landed you in prison for life."
Whitney and Becky shed tears of joy. They hugged Rev. Smart, grateful for his extraordinary act of forgiveness. But the case, while resolved in court, was a serious wake-up call—especially for Francis.
Back at home, however, Francis remained unchanged. His behavior grew worse. He hurled verbal abuse at Becky so frequently that it began to take a toll on her health. The fear he instilled in her sometimes made her faint.
When she explained her condition to her private doctor, she was advised to avoid any situation that might threaten her wellbeing. Becky had reached her breaking point. She had endured enough of Francis's recklessness and cruelty.
Eventually, she filed for divorce.
Whitney was only fifteen at the time.