Chapter 9
Margaret brought photo albums.
Sophie sat between her grandparents and looked at pictures of Laura.
“Mommy had my smile,” she said.
Margaret wiped her eyes.
“Yes, baby.”
Rachel had removed most of Laura’s pictures from the house.
She said it was unhealthy.
She said Sophie needed to stop clinging to the past.
I had let her.
Now I put them back.
One in the hallway.
One in Sophie’s room.
One in the kitchen.
Sophie touched the kitchen frame.
“Rachel said Mommy left because of me.”
I knelt so fast my knees hit the floor.
“No.”
My voice broke.
“Your mommy loved you more than anything.”
“Then why she gone?”
“She got sick.”
“Not because bad?”
“Never because bad.”
Sophie stared at the photo.
Then she whispered, “Rachel lied.”
“Yes.”
That was the first time I said it clearly.
Rachel lied.
No softening.
No excuse.
Children need truth more than adults need comfort.
The criminal case grew.
Charges included child abuse, false imprisonment, conspiracy, attempted fraud, and evidence fabrication.
Nora warned me trial would be ugly.
“They will use your reaction against you.”
“My slap.”
“And dragging Rachel out.”
I nodded.
“I’ll tell the truth.”
“Good,” Nora said. “Truth is messy. Lies are polished.”
Rachel was polished.
May you like
Laura had been true.
I should have known the difference.
