Chapter 7 - THE SILVER KEY
There was a stone angel in the garden beside the side entrance.
Daniel had walked past it every day for six years.
Under its base, taped inside a plastic bag, was a silver key.
It opened the side door.
Dana looked at him. “Change every lock tonight.”
Daniel called an emergency locksmith.
While they waited, Noah sat at the kitchen table drinking chocolate milk he barely touched.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the key?” Daniel asked.
Noah stared into his cup.
“She said if I told you, she’d show the judge the videos.”
“What videos?”
Noah’s eyes filled.
“Of me getting mad.”
“You’re eight. You’re allowed to get mad.”
“She said judges don’t like angry kids.”
Daniel crouched beside him.
“What did she record?”
Noah hesitated.
“One time she took Mom’s picture out of my room and said I couldn’t have it back until I apologized for talking back. I yelled at her.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“She filmed that?”
Noah nodded.
“And another time she locked Lily’s rabbit in the garage. I kicked the door.”
“You were protecting your sister.”
Noah shook his head quickly. “I’m bad when I get mad.”
“No.” Daniel placed both hands on his son’s shoulders. “Listen to me. Anger is a feeling. What matters is what you do with it. You were scared. You were trying to help Lily.”
Noah looked at him for a long time.
Then he whispered, “I promised Mom.”
Daniel’s throat tightened.
“What?”
“The night before she died. Mom was sick, and Lily was crying. Mom told me, ‘You love your sister, but you are not her parent. Dad is.’”
Tears rolled down Noah’s face.
“I tried to do your job anyway.”
Daniel pulled him close.
“I’m sorry.”
Noah cried into his shoulder.
Then the doorbell rang.
Everyone froze.
Daniel checked the new camera feed.
A police cruiser sat in the driveway.
May you like
Two officers stood on the porch.
And behind them was Rachel.
