How Many Times Do You Go to Court

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California

I was caught shoplifting at a big department store. I was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. I stole about $23 in total, two shirts.

I got a lawyer and he went to two court dates for me, I didn't need to come. He called today and said that I needed to be present at my next court date in about 20 days. Is this going to be the last one? I just want to get past this. I was thinking that I would just have to go, speak about my experience and I how learned from my mistake, and then the judge gives me a sentence.

Will I have more court dates to go to? Or is this most likely my last one? It's hard keeping this from my parents, especially since the court is very far away and I don't drive yet. :( Every time I ask my lawyer how long will this take, he says that I have to just go with the flow, because it can take 2 months or it can take 4. And I'm studying abroad this spring so I need to know (how long the trial is) from people who've experienced these trials before. *sigh*

If the next court date is your sentencing, then it's reasonable to infer that you won't have to go back unless you violate the terms of your probation. If it's any other type of hearing, you will probably have additional hearings. As you haven't even told us what type of hearing is scheduled, your guess should be a lot better than ours.