Chapter 6 - THE FAMILY MEETING
The first poisoning had happened after a family dinner six weeks earlier.
Rachel and David had stayed overnight because their apartment was being renovated.
My parents had also been there.
Emma complained that her milk tasted strange, but she had only taken two sips.
Mark quietly saved the glass.
The next morning, he told my parents that he suspected accidental contamination.
He did not tell me.
He claimed he wanted to avoid frightening me before the laboratory confirmed anything.
When the result came back, he contacted everyone who had been in the house.
They agreed to meet without me.
Every adult in my family sat in my living room and discussed the possibility that someone had drugged my child.
I had been upstairs helping Emma with homework.
“I heard you talking,” I whispered.
“You told me you were planning Dad’s retirement dinner.”
My mother covered her face.
Mark spoke quietly.
“I wanted to call the police.”
“Your father stopped me.”
Dad lifted his chin.
“I said we needed facts.”
“You had facts,” Mark replied.
“A laboratory report is not proof of intent.”
“It was enough to protect Emma.”
Dad argued that the medication may have entered the milk accidentally.
Rachel took several prescription drugs for anxiety and insomnia.
One bottle had spilled inside her purse that evening.
He suggested residue might have transferred onto her hands.
Rachel denied touching Emma’s glass.
David insisted his wife was being blamed because of the donor secret.
My mother begged everyone to remain quiet until they understood what had happened.
They feared a police investigation would expose Emma’s genetic history.
“So all of you decided the secret mattered more than her safety,” I said.
Mom reached for me.
I stepped away.
“No.”
“You don’t get to touch me.”
The doctor entered before anyone could respond.
Emma had regained consciousness.
She was confused and frightened, but she was breathing normally.
The physician expected a full physical recovery.
I cried so hard that my body shook.
Mark tried to hold me.
I moved past him.
Emma asked for me as soon as I entered her room.
I sat beside her and stroked her hair.
She remembered drinking the lemonade.
She remembered the kitchen lights becoming blurry.
Then she said something I was not prepared to hear.
“Aunt Rachel told me not to tell you about the other drink.”
I kept my voice gentle.
“What other drink?”
May you like
Emma looked toward the door.
“The one she gave me at Grandma’s house.”
