Chapter 5 - Gloria Arrives
My mother arrived at hospital at 4:20 p.m.
Walt came behind her.
Their casino clothes had been replaced by ordinary sweaters.
Gloria carried purse.
No overnight bag.
No toy for Lizzy.
She walked straight toward room.
Hospital security stopped her.
“I am her legal guardian.”
Social worker Monica Bell stepped out.
“There is an emergency protective hold.”
“On whose authority?”
“County child services.”
“This is absurd.”
I stood twenty feet away.
Gloria saw me.
Her face changed.
“You.”
I said nothing.
“You broke into my home.”
“Lizzy called me.”
“She has behavioral problems.”
“She was locked in closet.”
“She locked herself in.”
Deputy Mills, standing near nurses’ station, said:
“The latch was outside.”
My mother did not even blink.
“We installed it because she steals food at night.”
The hallway went silent around us.
I stared.
“You locked her in because she ate?”
“She binges.”
“Six years old.”
“You don’t know what it’s been like.”
Walt stepped in.
“Natalie, calm down.”
I turned.
“Where were you last night?”
He looked away.
“Riverstone.”
“You left her alone.”
“She was asleep.”
“Locked.”
“It was one night.”
Gloria snapped:
“She needed consequences.”
Monica said:
“Please stop discussing allegations in hallway.”
My mother looked at door.
“I’m seeing her.”
“No,” Monica said.
“You cannot stop me.”
“Yes, we can.”
Gloria’s face hardened.
Then she looked at me.
“What did you take from house?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie.”
“I photographed papers.”
That was mistake.
Her eyes flickered.
Walt said:
“What papers?”
Gloria turned too quickly.
“Nothing important.”
He looked at her.
Interesting.
“Bank statements.”
My mother’s mouth tightened.
“Natalie.”
“And withdrawals.”
Walt frowned.
“What withdrawals?”
Again.
Either performance.
Or he did not know everything.
I watched him.
“You tell me.”
Gloria grabbed his arm.
“We’re leaving.”
He pulled away.
“What is she talking about?”
“Not here.”
They left.
That moment became important.
Because later Walt claimed he knew nothing.
But his signature appeared too.
Not on the first large slip.
On others.
May you like
He was not innocent.
Just less informed than Gloria about the forged use of mine.
