Julian was sentenced to a few years, but was out on parole within months. He called Devon and asked to visit.

The Turners then arranged for him to spend time with Devon one weekend a month and a week during the summer.

But Julian often would come over for cook-outs and football. He loved hanging out with Mr. Turner. He loved this second chance at life. A Trazelli-free life.

He still jumped when a car backfired, or spun too quickly when someone came up behind him, but he was free. And best of all, he was able to spend time with his daughter.

“Julian?” Devon asked him one evening. She called him Julian, because Mr. Turner was still her dad.

“Yes Princess?” Julian called her princess because it made her giggle.

“Do you still have a gun?”
“Why do you ask that?”
“You’re not a bad guy anymore. You shouldn’t have a gun.”
“What if a robber breaks in?”
“Hit him with a bat!”
“Okay Devon, I’ll sell my gun and buy a very heavy bat!”
“Really?”
“No.”
“Well, I guess for robbers, you can keep one.”
“One?”
“Yeah”
“Ok.”