Chapter 5 - Press the Button
The female officer took the notebook from Mom.
“What button?”
“There’s a recorder in the spine,” I said.
Mom’s face turned red.
“She’s lying.”
Helena pointed toward the back cover.
The officer found a narrow opening beneath the cardboard and removed the device.
Mom moved toward her.
The male officer blocked the path.
“Ma’am, stay where you are.”
The officer pressed playback.
At first, there was only fabric rustling inside Mom’s purse.
Then her voice filled the room.
Mateo, say Savannah ran away because she hates the babies.
Mateo’s voice answered:
But she said she was going to Aunt Helena’s.
Mom replied:
That is not what you tell the police.
Another recording began.
A child asked when they would eat.
Mom said:
Not until Savannah comes home. Maybe hunger will help you remember what to say.
The female officer’s expression hardened.
Mom began talking rapidly.
“That was taken out of context. I was upset.”
The recording continued.
Her voice was calmer this time, speaking to someone on the phone.
Once police return her, I’m pulling her out of school. I can’t manage seven kids without her.
The entire room went silent.
Mom had reported me missing because she needed her unpaid caregiver returned.
May you like
Not because she feared I was unsafe.
Because my absence made her responsibilities visible.
