Chapter 12 - LUCY’S RED CRAYON
The prosecution did not want Lucy to testify in the courtroom.
She was only six by the time of the trial.
Her recorded interview had already been admitted.
The defense insisted the jury should hear directly from her.
Daniel’s attorney believed a child could be confused.
He believed Lucy might become frightened.
He believed Daniel’s presence would silence her.
The judge allowed Lucy to testify through a private video room.
Nora sat nearby but outside the camera’s view.
Dr. Brooks remained beside Lucy.
The judge asked simple questions first.
Lucy explained her name.
Her age.
Her school.
Her favorite subject.
“Art,” she said.
The prosecutor held up a box of crayons.
“Do you remember drawing pictures for Dr. Brooks?”
“Yes.”
“What color did you use for the ballroom?”
Lucy looked at the crayons.
“Red.”
“Why?”
“Because it was scary.”
The prosecutor showed her a child’s drawing.
A silver figure stood beside a small blue figure.
A black figure stood farther away.
“What is happening here?”
“Celeste hit me.”
“And who is the black figure?”
“My daddy.”
“What was he doing?”
“Nothing.”
The answer carried more weight than anger could have.
The prosecutor asked what happened next.
Lucy explained that her mother ran to her.
She said Daniel pushed Nora.
She said Charles arrived and wrapped her in his coat.
“What did your grandfather say?”
“He asked who hurt us.”
“How did that make you feel?”
“Like somebody saw me.”
Nora pressed a hand to her mouth.
Daniel’s attorney began cross-examination.
“Lucy, you love your mommy, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“And you want to make her happy?”
“Yes.”
“Did your mommy tell you what to say today?”
“No.”
“Did your grandfather buy you presents after the gala?”
Lucy frowned.
“He bought me a dinosaur.”
“So he gave you gifts?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe you want to say things that make him happy too.”
Dr. Brooks shifted in her chair.
The judge warned the attorney to be careful.
Lucy looked directly into the camera.
“Grandpa is happy when I tell the truth.”
The attorney paused.
He tried again.
“Do you remember spilling juice on Ms. Arden?”
“She bumped me.”
“Could it have been an accident?”
“There was lots of room.”
“How can you know what she meant to do?”
Lucy picked up the red crayon.
“Because she smiled before she did it.”
The courtroom went silent.
The attorney had no further questions.
When Lucy left the interview room, Nora knelt and hugged her.
“You were so brave.”
Lucy leaned back.
“Did I do good?”
“You told the truth.”
“Is that good?”
“It is one of the best things you can do.”
Lucy looked toward the closed courtroom doors.
“Will Daddy go away?”
“I don’t know.”
“Will he be mad?”
“His feelings are not your responsibility.”
Lucy considered that carefully.
Then she handed Nora the red crayon.
“I don’t need this color anymore.”
Nora took it.
That evening, they returned to the hotel suite that had slowly become a temporary home.
Lucy opened a new drawing pad.
She drew herself standing between Nora and Charles.
Above them was a chandelier.
This time, the chandelier was yellow.
The room was filled with blue flowers.
There was no silver figure.
There was no black square.
At the bottom of the page, Lucy wrote three uneven words.
WE ARE SAFE.
Nora placed the drawing beside her mother’s letter.
Two generations of women were speaking to her.
One through carefully written sentences.
The other through crayons.
May you like
Both were telling her the same thing.
Fear did not have to become an inheritance.
