Chapter 13 - RACHEL’S ROOM
The facility staff had refused Victor entry. He had claimed to be Rachel’s brother and left when a nurse asked for identification.
Daniel and Priya arrived to find Rachel furious.
“He wanted me scared,” she said, forcing out each word. “I’m tired of being scared.”
She gave a formal statement to the investigators, then asked Daniel to help her sit by the window. Noah came in carrying a drawing of the three of them in front of the yellow house.
Rachel studied it for a long time.
“I’m sorry,” she told Noah. “I was supposed to keep you safe.”
“You did,” Noah said. “You kept the bird.”
Rachel laughed, then wiped her eyes.
Later, an investigator told Daniel that Victor had been located and questioned. The records, the recording, and the bank transfers had given them enough to pursue charges against both Victor and Melissa. Priya reminded Daniel that the criminal process would take time.
The family court moved faster. Rachel’s forged signature and Noah’s account were enough to end Melissa’s guardianship. Rachel wanted Noah with Daniel, provided he had a stable place to live.
Daniel had already found work at an auto shop whose owner knew about his conviction. He had rented a small apartment two blocks from Noah’s school. Ms. Torres had inspected it that morning.
That evening, Daniel opened the apartment door for Noah. There were two beds, a kitchen table, and a refrigerator with nothing in it but milk, eggs, and sandwich bread.
Noah looked around.
“Can I stay?”
“Starting tonight,” Daniel said.
May you like
Noah set down his bag, then reached into it.
He pulled out the paper towel from the morning at the prison gate. Folded inside was the sandwich he had never let his father eat.
