Chapter 2 - What the Camera Caught
I answered on speaker.
Dad did not say hello.
“Where is Lily?”
“With me.”
“Is she okay?”
“Yes.”
Karen stepped closer.
“Richard, this is ridiculous.”
Dad ignored her.
“Take Lily upstairs.”
I stared at the phone.
“Why?”
A pause.
Karen’s face went blank.
I looked down at Lily.
That was enough.
I carried her upstairs to the guest room, turned on a cartoon, and called my sister Megan to come get her.
Lily grabbed my sleeve.
“Are you mad at me?”
My chest tightened.
“No, baby. Never.”
“I tried to eat it.”
“You never have to eat food that makes you feel sick just because an adult tells you to.”
She nodded.
Then whispered, “Grandma Karen said if I told you, Grandpa would make us leave.”
I went still.
“Did she say that more than once?”
Lily nodded.
“Grandpa would never make you leave because you told the truth.”
“Go,” she said.
Downstairs, Karen was pacing.
Dad had joined the call by video.
His face looked gray.
Karen snapped, “You had no right.”
Dad stared at her.
“My house.”
“That camera was for the child.”
She turned on me.
“You set me up.”
“No.”
Dad said, “Play Tuesday.”
I opened the app.
Tuesday afternoon.
Karen stood at the refrigerator while Lily waited.
Karen took a fresh sandwich from a container.
Then put it back.
She handed Lily crackers.
“Those are for my kids,” Karen said on camera.
Lily asked, “Can I have one apple?”
Karen answered, “Your dad can buy you fruit.”
I looked at Karen.
She crossed her arms.
Dad said, “Play Wednesday.”
Wednesday was worse.
Lily spilled milk.
Karen made her clean the floor with paper towels while Karen’s son Trevor laughed.
Then Karen leaned down.
Lily whispered, “I’m sorry.”
Karen replied, “You should be.”
I stopped the video.
My hands were shaking.
Dad said, “There’s another clip from last night.”
May you like
Karen suddenly moved toward the router.
And ripped the power cable from the wall.
