Chapter 6 - The Dramatic Version
Years later, people still told the dramatic version.
The bright suburban kitchen.
The open sliding door.
The backyard barbecue for Gerald’s sixtieth birthday.
The blue cooler filled with orange soda cans.
Lily in her pale-yellow dress, holding one can to her chest.
Gerald stepping in and pulling the belt from his waist.
That’s mine. Put it back.
Lily whispering, I’m sorry, Grandpa. I didn’t know.
The belt raised high.
Guests frozen at the door.
The swing.
The belt striking the cooler and tile.
Orange soda bursting across the floor.
Lily slipping safely onto the tile.
Gerald raising the belt again.
Rebecca rushing in.
Drop the belt and step away from my child!
James on his knees calling 911.
Patricia saying, She deserved it for being disrespectful.
The officers entering.
Drop the belt. Now.
May you like
It sounded like revenge.
And yes, part of it was.
