Chapter 10
Diane’s trial began in winter.
The courtroom was full.
Reporters sat in the back.
Claire sat beside her advocate.
Mara stayed home.
Lily stayed with Rachel.
I refused to make children carry adult testimony.
The prosecutor opened with the living room.
My 911 call played first.
My voice cracked through the speakers.
“My mother-in-law forced something into my daughter’s mouth. She can’t breathe.”
I gripped Nora’s hand.
Then came the hospital report.
Then the prescription label.
Claire Whitman.
Diane’s face remained still.
Like a marble statue of a lie.
Claire testified using short words and a speech tablet.
“Diane gave medicine.”
“Diane locked visits.”
“Diane said Mara gone.”
“Diane pushed.”
The last phrase silenced the room.
The prosecutor asked, “Pushed where?”
Claire’s hand trembled as she typed.
Balcony.
Ryan looked like he might be sick.
Diane did not look at Claire.
Cowards often avoid the eyes of people they broke.
When I testified, Diane finally looked at me.
Her stare was pure poison.
I told the jury about Lily on the floor.
The bottle.
The locked cabinet.
Lily’s whisper.
Grandma gives it at night.
A juror wiped her eyes.
Diane’s lawyer asked, “Isn’t it true you disliked Mrs. Bennett before this?”
“Yes,” I said.
May you like
He smiled.
