Chapter 4
I went back the next morning with police.
My parents’ house looked different in daylight.
Smaller.
Meaner.
Like the night had stripped the family varnish off the walls.
Dad opened the door.
His cheek twitched when he saw the officers.
“This is unnecessary.”
I looked past him.
“Where is Bethany?”
Mom appeared behind him.
“She’s resting. You humiliated her.”
I stepped forward.
“My daughter is bruised.”
Mom looked away.
An officer asked to speak with everyone who witnessed the incident.
Dad started to refuse.
Then Laura arrived.
She parked crookedly, got out, and walked toward us with red eyes.
“I’ll give a statement,” she said.
Mom whispered, “Laura, don’t.”
Laura looked at her.
“I watched a child get hurt. I’m done obeying silence.”
The officers entered.
Bethany came down the stairs wearing sunglasses indoors.
Dramatic.
Pathetic.
She saw me and smiled.
“Here to apologize?”
“No.”
Her smile slipped.
The officer asked about her purse.
Bethany stiffened.
“Why?”
Because guilt always hears its name.
Laura spoke.
“You took something from Rosie.”
Bethany turned on her.
“You little liar.”
Mom grabbed the railing.
Dad said, “Enough.”
But it was not enough.
The officer asked Bethany to produce the purse.
She refused until they mentioned a warrant.
Then she threw it onto the table.
Inside were lipstick, keys, cash, and a small blue envelope.
Elena’s handwriting.
For Rosie when she asks why I’m gone.
My knees almost buckled.
I reached for it.
Bethany grabbed first.
“She doesn’t need that.”
I looked at her.
“Why do you have my wife’s letter?”
Bethany’s face twisted.
“Because Elena poisoned you against us.”
Dad snapped, “Bethany.”
Too late.
The officer looked at me.
“Mr. Carter, do you want this logged as possible stolen property?”
“Yes.”
Bethany screamed.
Mom cried.
Dad went silent.
And I finally understood.
May you like
My family had not just hurt Rosie.
They had stolen pieces of her mother.
