Chapter 4 - THE FIREPLACE
"Margaret."
Robert's voice cracked through the room.
She froze.
The paper in her hand disappeared behind her back.
"Give it to me," he said.
"I was clearing the table."
"You were walking toward the fireplace."
Her eyes flicked to the flames.
That was enough.
I held my phone against my shoulder while the dispatcher told me officers and paramedics were on the way.
Lisa stood up. "This has gone too far. Mom made one mistake."
I looked at her. "You laughed while my skin was burning."
She opened her mouth, then closed it.
Daniel started pacing. "Everybody needs to calm down before the cops get here."
"You're worried about the cops?" I asked. "I thought it was just a family matter."
He glared at me.
Robert took the statement from Margaret and placed it back in the envelope.
"There are copies," he said. "And my lawyer has the originals."
Margaret's shoulders fell.
Sirens sounded outside.
Suddenly the whole family became helpful.
Lisa brought a wet towel. Her husband started picking up glass. Daniel tried to guide me into a chair.
I pulled away.
"Don't touch me."
The paramedics came in. One wrapped my burned hand while a police officer photographed my cheek.
Another officer asked Margaret to step into the living room.
She scoffed. "You can't arrest me in my own home on Christmas."
Robert answered from the doorway.
"It's not your home."
The officer looked from him to me.
"Ma'am, do you want to press charges?"
Daniel whispered, "Emily, think about what you're doing."
I looked at the man I had loved for seven years.
"I finally am."
"Yes," I told the officer. "I want it documented, and I want to press charges."
Margaret screamed my name.
The officer took her arm.
Then Daniel's phone lit up on the table.
A message appeared across the screen.
Can't wait to see you tomorrow. Tell her you have a work meeting.
May you like
The sender's name was Rachel.
I had never heard of Rachel.
