Chapter 3 - Behind the Hospital Curtain
At the hospital, the doctor said Mom had bruising around her neck, a concussion, and ribs that would hurt for weeks. He wanted to keep her overnight. A nurse brought me an ice pack and asked if there was somewhere safe I could go.
"With my mom," I said.
"We'll work on that," she answered.
Caleb waited outside until Mom asked him in. I expected some dramatic reunion. Instead, he stood by the doorway, wringing his cap.
"Hello, Sarah."
"You came," she said.
"Your daughter called."
For a minute, they just looked at each other.
"Ethan told me you wanted her taken away," Mom said.
Caleb shook his head. "He told me you were hiding her because you were afraid I'd have you arrested."
"You believed him?" I asked.
"No," Caleb said. "But I couldn't find you. Your mom sent word through an advocate three months ago. I sent her the emergency phone through that same advocate. I've been staying nearby, waiting until she was ready for us to help her leave."
Mom covered her eyes. "I kept thinking tomorrow would be safer."
"Today mattered," I said. "You were there. I saw it."
She took my hand. "You should never have had to see any of it."
Caleb explained the Hart Workers Relief Fund. Years earlier, his family's business had paid into it to help workers injured at the mill and the families of those who died. Ethan had overseen the accounts. More than eight hundred thousand dollars had vanished.
"He said the checks were mine," Mom whispered. "He was my boss then. He brought me papers and said if I didn't sign, he'd tell everyone I stole the money."
"Why didn't you tell the police?" I asked.
Her eyes filled again. "He said you would be taken from me. You were seven."
A nurse stepped in to check her blood pressure. I stared at the floor, imagining the little girl I had been, carrying a purple backpack and trusting every word Dad said.
When we were alone again, Mom gripped my hand harder.
"Emily, there's something Ethan doesn't know. I kept proof."
May you like
"Where?"
"In the house," she whispered. "And he'll try to get there before we do."
