Chapter 3 - OSCAR’S VOICE
Oscar’s first sentence was not:
I’m stealing Lucy’s apartment.
It was worse because it sounded reasonable.
“Once she has the baby, she’s going to panic and refuse everything.”
Patricia’s recorded voice:
“Then don’t push her.”
Oscar:
“If I don’t do it now, I lose the window.”
I felt my skin crawl.
Patricia in Ray’s living room covered her mouth.
On the recording:
PATRICIA:
What window?
OSCAR:
Before she starts listening to Ray again.
My uncle looked at me.
I had not told Oscar I discussed the condo with Ray.
Then:
PATRICIA:
Lucy owns that place.
OSCAR:
For now.
Patricia:
What does that mean?
Oscar laughed.
Not cruelly.
Tired.
“We’re married. I’ve paid into that apartment for four years. I’m done living like a guest.”
I stopped Teresa.
“He paid utilities.”
Medina said:
“We’ll separate legal ownership from contribution claims later.”
I pressed play myself.
Oscar:
“She’s going to sign the authorization at the hospital.”
Patricia:
You cannot put real-estate papers in front of a woman in labor.
Oscar:
It’s not a deed.
Patricia:
Then what?
Oscar:
Something that lets me manage the condo while she recovers.
Patricia:
Does she know?
Long silence.
Then Oscar:
“She knows enough.”
My body went cold.
Patricia in Ray’s living room whispered:
“That’s when I should have stopped him.”
On the recording she did not.
Instead she asked:
“What happens after?”
Oscar:
“I get the locks changed, get her out of the pressure cooker, then she listens.”
Patricia:
Gets her out?
Oscar:
She can stay with Ray.
Patricia:
With a newborn?
Oscar:
For a few days.
Patricia:
Oscar—
He interrupted:
“If she comes home with that baby, Ray will be in her ear every day.”
Teresa stopped the recording again.
Not because of me.
Because Patricia stood abruptly.
“I need air.”
Ray pointed toward the porch.
“Front door.”
He was not cruel.
He was not kind.
Patricia went outside.
I stared at the phone.
“This was before labor.”
“Two nights before,” Teresa said.
“He planned to lock me out.”
“Yes.”
Medina raised one hand.
“Based on this recording, he planned to change access and put you elsewhere temporarily. We do not yet know every legal or practical step he intended.”
Precision.
I hated it.
Needed it.
“What’s after this?”
Teresa said:
“More about paperwork. Money. The baby.”
My heart stopped.
“What about Grace?”
“That part is why I wanted you supported before listening.”
Ray sat beside me.
Not touching.
Waiting.
May you like
I nodded.
“Play.”
