Chapter 12 - The House With the Blue Shutters
I had always thought Kate's marriage was merely unhappy.
Now I started noticing how much I had ignored.
Ryan decided where they spent holidays.
Ryan answered questions meant for Kate.
Ryan controlled access to the family bank account and called it being responsible.
Once, when Kate asked me for money to replace her broken glasses, she begged me not to mention it to him.
I had thought she was embarrassed.
I had not recognized fear.
Rebecca encouraged me to give the detective dates, witnesses, and documents rather than labels.
I searched old messages.
There were requests for rides when Ryan took the car.
There were apologies after Kate canceled plans without explanation.
There was a message from her in February that I had forgotten.
If I ever needed you to believe me, would you?
I had answered, Always.
Kate had sent a heart and changed the subject.
The discovery made me ache.
She had reached toward me once, and I had missed it.
But fear did not excuse accusing me of injuring Paige.
I could hold both truths at once.
During the next hearing, the county presented its preliminary safety concerns.
Ryan objected to the restrictions.
Kate did not sit beside him.
She sat with her attorney across the aisle.
The judge maintained the temporary order and directed both parents to participate in further assessments.
Afterward, my mother cornered me outside the courthouse.
"Look what you've done," she whispered.
For once, I didn't defend myself.
"I took a hurt baby to the hospital."
"Families should handle things privately."
"Broken bones aren't private disagreements."
My mother looked away.
Then she said something that stopped me.
"Your sister tried to leave Ryan last winter."
I stared at her.
"You knew?"
"She came to me."
"And what did you tell her?"
My mother's silence answered before her words did.
"I told her marriage takes commitment."
I stepped backward.
May you like
Another adult had seen Kate in trouble and sent her home.
