Chapter 8 - The Rest of the Recording
After the recording ended, Officer Daniels separated Marlene from the children.
Officer Grant called emergency medical workers because of June’s cough and the conditions inside the apartment.
Marlene continued insisting that Helena had manipulated everything.
“My sister has always wanted my life,” she said.
Helena looked around the neglected room.
“No one wants this life.”
Marlene turned toward Savannah.
“Tell them. Tell them I love you.”
Savannah’s throat tightened.
Love was the word Marlene used whenever she wanted obedience to feel like devotion.
“You told Mateo to lie,” Savannah said.
“I was scared.”
“You broke into Aunt Helena’s apartment.”
“I was looking for you.”
“You knew I was at school.”
“I am your mother.”
“That does not make everything yours.”
Officer Grant opened the blue notebook.
The first pages contained Savannah’s schedule.
4:45 a.m. Prepare June’s bottle.
5:15 a.m. Wash clothing.
6:00 a.m. Wake Mateo.
6:30 a.m. Feed twins.
7:20 a.m. Walk Mateo to school.
7:45 a.m. Return home because Mom has an appointment.
The next pages contained grocery receipts, clinic information, copies of utility notices and dates Marlene had left the children overnight.
One entry described the spoiled milk.
Another documented the conversation in which Marlene blamed Savannah for failing to feed the children.
Officer Grant looked at Marlene.
“You brought this to us as evidence against your daughter?”
“She wrote that she wanted to leave.”
“She also wrote that she was afraid one of the children would become seriously ill while you were gone.”
“She exaggerates.”
Officer Daniels took Mateo into the kitchen.
Helena stayed in the living room with Savannah while Officer Grant stood near Marlene.
Several minutes later, Officer Daniels returned.
“Mateo says Savannah prepares his meals, helps him with school and stays home when you leave.”
“He is confused.”
“He also says you instructed him to accuse Savannah of hurting him.”
“He is six. Children say anything.”
“That is why we compare their statements with other evidence.”
Medical workers examined June and recommended taking her to the hospital for breathing treatment and observation.
Marlene suddenly became attentive.
“I will go with her.”
Officer Daniels stopped her.
“Child welfare is sending a representative. Until the immediate safety assessment is completed, you will not be alone with the children.”
“You cannot take my baby.”
“No final decision has been made.”
Marlene turned to Savannah.
“Do something.”
The command was automatic.
For years, those two words had controlled Savannah more effectively than any lock.
Do something when the power was disconnected.
Do something when there was no food.
Do something when the baby was ill.
Do something when Marlene created a disaster and wanted someone else to erase it.
Savannah looked at June.
Then at Mateo and the twins.
For the first time, doing something meant refusing.
“No,” she said.
Marlene stared at her.
May you like
Savannah picked up her backpack.
“I already did.”
