Chapter 4 - The notebook
The thing Simone had been searching for was a notebook.
Not a USB.
Not a recorder.
A black spiral notebook Eli bought at a drugstore with his own money.
He did not tell me about it that day.
The school counselor did.
Her name was Dana Pierce.
When child services contacted the school, Dana asked to speak with the investigator.
Six weeks earlier, she had noticed Eli wearing long sleeves during an outdoor school event.
He also stopped participating in lunch with friends and repeatedly asked to spend study hall in the counseling office.
Dana asked:
“Anything happening at home?”
Eli said:
“No.”
Later:
“Sometimes my stepmom gets mad.”
Dana did not immediately assume abuse.
She asked about safety.
He denied being seriously hurt.
Then, during another visit, he said:
“She says Dad can’t deal with problems while he works.”
Dana told him:
“If something happens that scares you, write down the date, what happened, and who you told. Not because you have to prove yourself, but because writing can help when everything feels mixed together.”
The notebook began there.
Dates.
Short entries.
Some only one sentence.
June 4:
She squeezed arm because cereal bowl left in sink.
June 7:
Dad called. She stood in doorway so I said fine.
June 10:
She took phone after I texted Grandma.
June 12:
Said Mom would be ashamed how needy I am.
That line nearly destroyed me.
Lauren.
Dead four years.
Used as a weapon.
Then June 18:
She saw notebook when I was writing. Asked what it was. I said homework.
The search began because Simone suspected.
Eli had hidden the notebook somewhere she did not find.
Dana did not know where.
Neither did I.
May you like
Yet.
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