Chapter 24 - AUDREY TESTIFIES FROM HOME
The court allowed Audrey to testify by secure video because her medical team documented infection risk and fatigue.
Defense agreed with safeguards.
No theatrical frailty.
She wore a blue sweater.
No hospital gown.
The prosecutor asked:
“Did you ask Gabriele to buy shoes?”
“Yes.”
“Were you concerned about cost?”
“No.”
“Did you authorize Theresa to deny them?”
“No.”
“Confine Nora?”
“No.”
Then the call.
“How did you know Nora might be caged?”
“Nora called me before Gabriele arrived.”
“What did she say?”
“She said Theresa threatened the dog cage because she kept asking for shoes.”
“Did you call Gabriele?”
“Yes.”
“Did you hear what happened?”
“Only after he answered.”
Then care delegation.
“Did you want Theresa’s help?”
“Yes.”
“Did you want her to replace you?”
“No.”
“Did you believe she was replacing you?”
“At first, no.”
“When did that change?”
“When Nora started telling me Aunt Theresa said my opinions didn’t count because I was sick.”
Defense objected to hearsay aspects; court limited purpose.
Fine.
Then cross-examination.
“Was Theresa helpful during your treatment?”
“Yes.”
“Did you rely on her?”
“Yes.”
“Did you sometimes lack energy for Nora’s daily needs?”
“Yes.”
“Did that make you grateful?”
“Yes.”
“Did you ever tell Theresa, ‘I don’t know what we’d do without you’?”
Audrey smiled sadly.
“Probably.”
Then:
“Could Theresa have interpreted that as authority?”
“She could interpret it however she wanted. I never made her Nora’s mother.”
Good.
Then the hardest question.
“Did you ever ask Theresa to discipline Nora?”
“Yes.”
There.
“What did you mean?”
“Normal caregiver discipline. Time-outs, screen limits, consequences.”
“So Theresa had disciplinary authority.”
“Within reason.”
“Who defines reason?”
Audrey looked at the camera.
May you like
“Not a dog kennel.”
No more needed.
