Chapter 13 - Patricia Takes the Stand
Patricia accepted a plea agreement during the second week of trial.
In exchange for truthful testimony, prosecutors reduced some of the conspiracy charges.
She would still face prison.
Gerald’s attorney called her a liar before she entered the courtroom.
For sixty years, Patricia had organized her life around keeping him calm.
Now he looked at her as though she had never mattered.
The prosecutor asked who moved Lily’s cup.
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Gerald said the child needed a lesson.”
“Did you want Lily to take a soda?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Gerald planned to strike her?”
“Yes.”
“Did you attempt to stop him?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Patricia looked toward me.
“Because I thought Rebecca needed to understand that our rules still applied.”
Even after everything, part of her still believed my disobedience was the central crime.
The prosecutor played her statement.
She deserved it for being rude.
Patricia began crying.
“I was in shock.”
“No.”
“You spoke calmly.”
“I did not understand how badly Lily was hurt.”
“You saw blood.”
Patricia covered her face.
The prosecutor waited.
Then she asked about the correction room.
Patricia admitted choosing dates.
She admitted cleaning injuries.
She admitted telling children that police would remove them from their parents if they reported Gerald.
The courtroom became silent when she described Lily’s earlier visit.
Gerald took the child above the garage.
He squeezed her shoulder and made her sit in the wooden chair.
He told her the next punishment would involve the belt.
Patricia watched.
“Why did you allow that?” the prosecutor asked.
Patricia looked at Gerald.
“Because when someone resisted him, everything became worse.”
The prosecutor’s voice softened.
“You were an adult.”
“The children were not.”
Patricia lowered her head.
“Yes.”
Gerald shouted from the defense table.
“Do not blame me for your weakness.”
The judge ordered him silent.
The outburst gave the jury a glimpse of the man behind the birthday smile.
Patricia left the stand shaking.
She did not look at me.
After court, Vanessa approached within the limits allowed by the protective order.
“I should have stopped them.”
“Yes.”
“I was afraid.”
“So was Lily.”
Vanessa nodded.
She had no answer.
That night, Lily woke screaming.
May you like
She had dreamed Gerald was standing inside our kitchen.
When I turned on the light, the back door was open.
