Chapter 12 - AVA’S LIE
The lie finally came two weeks after the barbecue.
Daniel submitted a declaration from Ava in the divorce case.
Not handwritten.
Typed.
Signed.
It said:
Kate has grabbed me multiple times when angry and makes me feel like I cannot walk away from arguments.
My stomach dropped.
Multiple times when angry.
Not true.
Natalie said:
“Do not contact her about this.”
“I live in the same house.”
“For now.”
Temporary house-possession hearing had not happened.
Ava barely spoke to me.
That evening she entered the kitchen while Daniel was out.
I stayed by the sink.
She opened the refrigerator.
I said:
“I saw your statement.”
Her shoulders tightened.
Natalie had said not to contact her about it.
So I stopped.
Ava closed the refrigerator.
“Are you mad?”
“I’m not going to ask you to change anything.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
I looked at her.
“Yes. I’m hurt.”
She stared at the floor.
“You did grab me.”
“Twice that I remember.”
“Dad said there were more.”
There.
“Do you remember more?”
She swallowed.
“I don’t know.”
Memory under authority.
Dangerous.
I said:
“If you remember something, tell the investigator. Not me.”
Ava looked angry.
“Why are you acting like a lawyer?”
“Because I don’t want to influence you.”
“Dad says that means you’re scared.”
“Maybe I am.”
“Of what?”
“Of becoming another adult who tells you what your own memories mean.”
Her face changed.
Then she whispered:
“The barbecue was an accident.”
I closed my eyes.
“Thank you.”
“But I was already mad at you.”
“I know.”
“Because of Mom.”
“I know.”
“Dad said you were going to help her take me.”
“No.”
“He said—”
“I believe you.”
She looked up.
“I’m not helping anyone take you.”
Her eyes filled.
“Then why did you find those papers?”
“Because I thought you deserved to know what was true.”
“That’s the same thing.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“To you.”
Then left.
May you like
Not resolution.
But the first crack in the lie.
