Chapter 3 - THE HOSPITAL QUESTIONS
The emergency room smelled like disinfectant and cold coffee.
A pediatric nurse examined Maisie beneath a bright light.
The handprint was still visible.
There was also a shallow scratch on her upper arm where Margaret had tried to keep hold of her.
I sat on the edge of the bed while Maisie clung to my blouse.
“Will she be okay?” I asked.
The nurse nodded.
“The injuries appear minor.”
“But we will document everything.”
Minor.
The word should have comforted me.
It did not.
There was nothing minor about the way Maisie now flinched whenever an older woman entered the room.
A social worker named Dana Ruiz arrived with Officer Brooks.
Dana asked if she could speak to me privately.
I told her Maisie could stay.
I did not want my daughter waking in a strange room without me.
Dana opened a notebook.
“Has Margaret struck Maisie before?”
“Not that I have seen.”
“Has she threatened physical punishment?”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“She has said children need fear.”
“She once told me a wooden spoon taught Evan respect.”
Officer Brooks wrote something down.
“Has your husband ever hit you or Maisie?”
“No.”
The answer came quickly.
Then I added the truth.
“But he controls money.”
“He checks my phone.”
“He gives his mother keys to our house.”
“He cancels plans when she disapproves.”
“He has never hit me.”
“But he makes sure I know she can do almost anything without consequences.”
Dana asked about the three slaps.
I did not minimize them.
“I hit him.”
“I was furious.”
“I understand that was wrong.”
Officer Brooks nodded.
“Evan has requested charges.”
My stomach tightened.
“What happens now?”
“The district attorney will review the video and witness statements.”
“You may receive a citation for misdemeanor assault.”
“I understand.”
Dana looked at me.
“Do you have somewhere safe to stay?”
“My sister lives two hours away.”
“Does Evan have access?”
“No.”
My phone vibrated.
Twenty-seven missed calls.
Most were from Evan.
Six were from Margaret.
One voicemail had already been left.
I played it on speaker.
Margaret’s voice filled the small hospital room.
“You have embarrassed this family enough.”
“Bring Maisie back tonight, apologize to Evan, and we may allow you to remain married.”
Officer Brooks held out her hand.
“May I save that?”
I gave her the phone.
A second message arrived from Evan.
You assaulted me in front of my coworkers.
My firm knows.
You need to fix this before you ruin both our lives.
Not once did he ask whether Maisie was safe.
Dana saw my face.
“What did he say?”
I showed her.
She took a slow breath.
“Claire, I need to ask you something difficult.”
“Has anyone in that family ever discussed taking custody of Maisie?”
My mind returned to conversations I had ignored.
Margaret insisting on being listed as an emergency contact.
Evan asking me to sign a document after Maisie was born.
A lawyer visiting our house while I was recovering from surgery.
“They said it was estate planning,” I whispered.
Dana leaned closer.
“What did you sign?”
“I do not know.”
Before I could say more, Officer Brooks received a call.
She listened for less than a minute.
Then she looked at me.
“Evan and Margaret have filed an emergency petition.”
May you like
“For what?”
“Temporary custody of Maisie.”
