Chapter 3: The House Cameras Remembered Everything
Two detectives met me at the house later that evening.
My mother was calmly drinking tea in the kitchen.
She smiled when she saw me.
"How's our little drama queen?"
I looked at her.
For the first time...
I didn't recognize the woman who raised me.
The detective introduced himself.
"We're investigating injuries sustained by Mrs. Hannah Parker."
My mother's smile disappeared.
"I have nothing to say."
"You don't have to."
I walked into the hallway.
Above the front door hung the small security camera I had installed after a package theft months earlier.
My mother had forgotten about it.
I hadn't.
Hours later...
We sat inside the police station watching the recordings.
The footage had no sound.
It didn't need any.
The first day showed Hannah slowly carrying Owen toward the nursery.
She nearly lost her balance.
Instead of helping...
My mother blocked the doorway.
The next clip showed Hannah reaching for her cellphone.
My mother took it from her hand.
Another recording showed Hannah trying to leave the bedroom while holding the baby.
My mother grabbed her wrist.
Hard.
Exactly where the bruises later appeared.
Then came the final video.
Hannah collapsed against the hallway wall.
She was visibly shaking with fever.
My mother looked at her...
Then calmly walked away.
Leaving her alone on the floor.
One detective quietly whispered,
"My God."
The lead investigator closed the laptop.
"Mr. Parker..."
"This wasn't neglect."
"This was abuse."
I lowered my head.
May you like
Every excuse I had ever made for my mother...
Collapsed in a single afternoon.
