Chapter 8 - The Woman I Didn't Know
Linda had been Mom's neighbor for eleven years.
I knew her face but barely knew her name.
She told me everything.
Mom had gotten lost at the grocery store.
Forgotten her PIN.
Left water running.
Called Linda at midnight believing someone was inside her house.
Each time, Linda helped.
Each time, Mom begged her not to tell me.
“Why would you agree?”
Linda's eyes filled with tears.
“Because she said you'd take Noah away.”
I felt anger rise.
“She put Noah in danger.”
“I know.”
Linda looked ashamed.
“I know that now.”
Then she handed me a notebook.
Mom had kept records.
Dates.
Symptoms.
Mistakes.
There were dozens.
The first entry was fourteen months old.
Mom had known for fourteen months.
And then I reached the final page.
One sentence was underlined twice.
If I hurt someone, Sarah has to know everything.
Mom had prepared for this moment.
She simply hadn't been brave enough to face it.
May you like
Until the kitchen forced the truth into the open.
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