Chapter 14 - Emma’s Interview
Emma’s formal child interview happened once her doctor and therapist agreed.
She described the patio.
The tablet.
Rachel grabbing her.
The shove.
Then previous incidents.
Nothing dramatic enough to satisfy people who want villains to have endless hidden crimes.
Rachel had not beaten her before.
Mom had not locked her in rooms.
Dad had not threatened her life.
The truth was ordinary.
They took things.
Forced hugs.
Mocked her when she cried.
Told her she was “too much like Claire.”
Mom once made her apologize to Tyler because he became upset when she would not give him a birthday card containing cash.
Rachel had once taken a bracelet from Emma’s jewelry box and given it to a cousin because:
“You have plenty.”
Emma remembered Grandma saying:
“Your mom makes everything about ownership.”
Small violations.
Repeated.
Enough to teach a child that her no would be treated as insult.
Then Emma said:
“Grandma used to make me sign papers.”
The interviewer did not overreact.
“What papers?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you remember what they looked like?”
“White.”
“What did Grandma say?”
“That it was for my college money.”
My stomach turned when I heard later.
Laura requested every account document bearing Emma’s signature.
May you like
A nine year old’s signature would not authorize custodian withdrawals legally.
But it might reveal what Mom had been doing.
