Buried Above Ground

The attorney admits he put an innocent man in prison and used his sister to persuade the falsely accused man to take a plea. It’s too late to make things right however. A long period of time in solitary confinement, beatings, and multiple rapes have left the once vibrant human being sullen, broken, and without hope. The people who once called him father do not miss him. Indeed they loathe him for something he didn’t do. Something only one says happened – one that has lied most recently about a child’s paternity. There were no witnesses – only the word of a known liar. The falsely accused shakes all the time now – his tremors are more pronounced. He can’t hold silverware. Eating anything is difficult. He needs teeth. He’s needed teeth for years. His eyesight is bad. The discount card from the eye glasses store in the mall sent out a reminder that it’s time he had new glasses. Without a doctor to diagnosis his need it won’t happen. And the ones who used to call him father do not miss him. Indeed they loathe him for something he didn’t do. They send out emails that read “until you get over your hatred toward my family I will not friend you.” Ironic since they helped kill a man because of their own hate and have had a cousin send death threats. I’m not without guilt. I’m the sister used to persuade the falsely accused man to take a plea. I wasn’t bold enough to take a stand. I let my brother down. I miss him and always will. I’ll fight to make it right but the damage has been done. And the ones who used to call him father do not miss him. They do not grieve for him. A great miracle is needed. It will take all I have and more to fix this. Still no amount of money can bring back the one I used to know as brother. That man is gone now. What can I do to make it right? I’m buried above ground.