Chapter 4 - The HospitalThe label had been partially removed.
Mom recognized the pills.
She had seen Melissa crushing them.
The medication was a sedative.
Something capable of causing confusion and extreme drowsiness.
Suddenly, every “memory problem” made sense.
Every strange afternoon.
Every time Mom had fallen asleep at the table.
Every time Melissa had told me she was becoming unsafe.
I called 911.
Melissa panicked.
“You don't need an ambulance.”
“She needs a doctor.”
“You're destroying our marriage.”
I looked at her.
“You destroyed it.”
Paramedics arrived.
Police followed.
Mom was taken to the hospital.
At Baylor University Medical Center, bright fluorescent lights replaced the warm darkness of our house.
Doctors examined the bruises.
They tested her blood.
The result confirmed what I feared.
A sedative was present in her system.
Detective Harris arrived.
Calm.
Measured.
He asked Mom questions.
She told him everything.
The hidden phone.
The stolen money.
The bruises.
The pills.
The forged documents.
I sat beside her, holding her hand.
At one point she whispered:
“I don't want people to think I'm stupid.”
My throat tightened.
“Mom, you aren't stupid.”
She looked at me.
“I trusted you.”
I closed my eyes.
“I know.”
“No.”
Her voice softened.
“You didn't know what I knew.”
That somehow hurt more.
Then she leaned closer.
“There is another recorder.”
I looked at her.
“Where?”
“Your father's workshop.”
“What is on it?”
She looked toward the door.
“Melissa brought Eric into our house.”
My blood ran cold.
“Why?”
May you like
Mom whispered:
“They were talking about your company.”
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