Chapter 5 - FAMILY STORY
By morning, Lauren had posted her version online.
She didn't name James, but she didn't have to.
MY BROTHER-IN-LAW CAME HOME FROM DEPLOYMENT ANGRY AND THREATENED ME IN FRONT OF MY FAMILY.
Within an hour, cousins I had not spoken to in years were messaging me.
What happened?
Is James okay?
Lauren says he snapped.
One aunt wrote, Your sister may be difficult, but threatening a woman is never acceptable.
I stared at the messages while Emma slept on my chest.
James was at the kitchen counter, talking to his commanding officer before Lauren could make good on her threat.
When he finished, he sat across from me.
"I reported it first," he said. "They'll document it. If she contacts the base, they'll review everything."
"I'm sorry."
His eyes sharpened. "Don't apologize for someone else hitting our child."
I nodded, but guilt had old roots. It grew automatically.
At ten, Officer Ramirez called. Lauren had already filed a complaint claiming James threatened to "bury her" if she did not leave.
"He never said that," I told her.
"I understand. We are interviewing everyone who was present."
Everyone.
My family.
The people who had stared at their plates.
At noon, Mom called again.
"Sarah, if you withdraw your statement, Lauren will withdraw hers."
"That's not how criminal reports work."
"Then tell them you were emotional."
"I was emotional because she hit Emma."
Mom's voice cracked. "She's your sister."
"Emma is my daughter."
Silence.
Then Mom whispered, "Your father says if you keep pushing this, you're no longer welcome here."
I looked around my own living room.
"Okay."
She sounded stunned. "Okay?"
"Yes."
"Sarah, think about what you're saying."
"I am. For once, I actually am."
After we hung up, my phone buzzed with an unknown number.
A video file appeared.
No message.
I hit play.
The image was grainy, wide-angle, from high above the dining room.
There was Lauren.
There was Emma in my arms.
There was the slap.
Clear as daylight.
Then the camera's microphone picked up something I hadn't heard over Emma's scream.
May you like
My father muttered under his breath:
"Goddammit, Lauren. Not again."
