Chapter 4 - Tyler’s version
Tyler became the first witness who explained the hot dog.
Not because police interrogated him.
Because he told Michael in the car.
“I gave Liv a bite.”
Michael looked back.
“You gave her some?”
Tyler nodded.
“Grandma said no.”
“Why?”
“She said babies don’t need junk.”
Then:
“But she gave me two.”
I turned toward him.
“What happened next?”
He looked at me.
I stopped myself.
Too many questions.
Michael did better.
“Tell us what you remember.”
Tyler said he tore a small piece from the end of his hot dog.
Held it toward Olivia.
Olivia took it.
Sarah saw.
Told Olivia:
“Put that back.”
Impossible.
Olivia had already eaten part.
Then Sarah accused her of stealing Tyler’s food.
Olivia reached toward the plate again because Tyler was still offering her another piece.
Sarah pulled the plate away.
Olivia shouted.
Sarah slapped her.
Tyler said:
“I told Grandma I gave it.”
“When?”
“After.”
“Did she hear?”
“Yes.”
“What did she say?”
Tyler looked down.
“She said I’m sweet and Liv has to learn.”
Michael closed his eyes.
May you like
That detail stayed with him.
Because even after learning Olivia had not stolen the food, Sarah preserved the punishment.
