Chapter 6 - TWENTY SECONDSDad finally answered our call.
"Who was with Emma that day?"
His voice cracked.
"Margaret and Lauren."
"When?"
"Three weeks after James deployed."
I remembered that day.
I had gone to a work meeting.
Mom had watched Emma.
Later, Mom told me Emma slept peacefully the entire time.
Dad told us a different story.
Emma had cried until she gagged.
Lauren had been holding her.
Then Emma became frighteningly quiet.
For twenty seconds, according to Dad, she didn't breathe normally.
Mom panicked.
She patted Emma's back.
Eventually, Emma cried again.
"Why didn't anyone call me?"
Dad sounded broken.
"Your mother said you'd never trust her again."
My throat tightened.
"She was right."
Nobody had told me.
Nobody had given me the chance to decide what medical care my own daughter needed.
By morning, Lauren posted again.
She described herself as a victim of family persecution.
Then James received a call from his commanding officer.
Someone had contacted his unit.
The accusation?
He had used his military position to intimidate a civilian family member.
James remained calm.
"I have video of the entire incident, sir. I'll forward it through the appropriate channel."
When he hung up, I stared at him.
"She contacted your command."
"Someone did."
"It was her."
"Probably."
She had hit our baby.
Then lied.
Then attacked his reputation.
James looked at me.
"That tells us something."
"What?"
"She's scared."
A knock sounded at the front door.
Three hard knocks.
James checked the camera.
A woman stood on our porch.
Dark coat.
Identification badge.
May you like
"Claire," he said quietly.
"It's Child Protective Services."
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