Chapter 11 - THE ARREST
Lauren made it three houses down.
One heel snapped on the sidewalk. She fell, got up, ran barefoot across a frozen lawn and was caught beside a plastic snowman.
I watched from the upstairs window while holding Emma.
It should have felt satisfying.
It didn't.
It felt awful.
Lauren was arrested for suspected DUI, resisting and violating an officer's lawful order. The child abuse investigation remained separate.
By morning, Dad had hired another lawyer.
By afternoon, Mom had moved into a hotel.
"I can't go back there yet," she told me.
"You can stay here."
She shook her head. "No. I need to learn how to stand on my own without hiding behind you this time."
It was the strongest thing I had ever heard her say.
Two days later, James' commanding officer called him in.
He came home after dark.
I met him at the door.
"What happened?"
"Lauren's complaint is still under review."
My stomach dropped.
"But the video-"
"They haven't received the full file yet. Her lawyer sent a statement claiming the recording proves I threatened to drag her outside."
"Because she wouldn't leave after hitting Emma."
"I know."
He pulled off his coat.
"There's more."
I hated those words now.
"What?"
"Lauren told investigators I have a history of uncontrolled anger after deployment."
I stared at him.
"That's completely made up."
"Yes."
"Can they believe her?"
"They can investigate her claim."
He looked exhausted.
"For now, I'm off the promotion board until the review is closed."
I felt like someone had punched me.
Lauren had hit my baby.
And somehow James was the one paying for it.
May you like
Then Uncle Bob called.
"Sarah," he said, breathless, "I found something on my phone from Christmas night. You need to hear it before Lauren's lawyer does."
