Chapter 9 - THE FRONT PORCH
James stood before I did.
"Stay here."
"I'm not hiding in my own house."
We walked to the front door together.
Dad stood on the porch in a heavy wool coat, face red from cold and fury.
"Susan," he shouted through the glass. "Get out here."
Mom came into the hallway behind us.
"Richard, go home."
Dad's expression changed when he saw the ornament box on our kitchen counter.
"What did you give them?"
Mom's mouth opened, but nothing came out.
I unlocked the door but left the chain on.
"You need to leave."
Dad leaned toward the opening. "This is between me and my wife."
"You followed her here."
"She's confused."
Mom suddenly stepped forward. "I'm not confused."
Dad looked past me. "Susan. Get your coat."
"No."
The word was quiet.
It stopped him cold.
"What did you say?"
"I said no."
His face hardened. "After forty-one years, you're going to betray your family over one mistake?"
I felt rage rise hot in my throat.
Mom beat me to it.
"It wasn't one mistake. That's the problem."
Dad reached for the door.
The chain snapped tight.
James stepped forward.
"Do not touch this door again."
Dad pointed at him. "You stay out of this."
"You're on my property."
"Your property?" Dad laughed sharply. "You think putting on a uniform makes you king of the world?"
James' voice stayed level. "No. Owning this house makes it our property. Leave."
Dad stared at him for three seconds.
Then he looked at me.
"Sarah, if that file goes to the police, your mother and I are done. Your sister is done. This whole family is done."
I opened the door just wide enough to look him directly in the eye.
"The family was done when everybody watched Lauren hit Emma and decided silence was easier."
I closed the door.
Dad pounded once against it.
Then his footsteps moved away.
Mom started sobbing.
James checked the window.
"He's leaving."
My phone buzzed.
Officer Ramirez.
May you like
I answered.
"Mrs. Walker," she said, "we just got a call from your sister. She says she's on her way to your house."
