Chapter 11 - Mom had called Samuel
I was furious with her anyway.
“You knew?”
We were staying temporarily at Samuel’s house.
Mom sat across from me.
“I knew about the petition.”
“You let him hit Ethan.”
Her face collapsed.
“No.”
“You stood there.”
“I froze.”
“You stood there!”
“I know.”
That answer mattered.
Not:
I tried.
Not:
You don’t understand.
She said:
“I know.”
Then she explained.
That morning, Gary had shown her the petition.
He said:
“You need protection before Brooke turns eighteen.”
Mom refused.
They argued.
Gary told her:
“If she controls those votes, Midland walks and we all lose.”
Mom called Samuel after Gary left.
For the first time in almost two years.
She sent Samuel photographs of the documents.
Samuel contacted:
The trustee.
Family counsel.
A deputy he knew through prior estate matters? No—better: authorities separately after hearing immediate concerns.
Samuel told Mom:
“Get the kids out.”
She planned to pick us up early.
Then Gary returned before she expected.
Ethan was already home.
The argument started.
Mom said she tried to get Ethan into the hallway.
Gary blocked her.
Then I entered.
She froze.
Was that understandable?
Maybe.
Was it acceptable?
May you like
Not completely.
She would face that later.
