Chapter 6 - Sunday Dinner
I arrived at my parents’ house at 3:55 Sunday afternoon.
Eli stayed with Sarah.
That decision would haunt me later.
At the time, Sarah was the person I trusted most.
Monica’s SUV sat in the driveway.
Jason’s truck beside it.
My father opened the door.
He looked ten years older than the previous Christmas.
“Rachel.”
“Dad.”
He hugged me.
That surprised me.
Then he whispered.
“I’m sorry.”
Before I could ask what he meant, Monica appeared.
“Can we please not start with theatrics?”
She wore cream slacks and a gold necklace.
Perfect.
Controlled.
I walked past her.
My mother had arranged coffee and pie like we were discussing vacation plans.
Jason stayed near the windows.
He would not look at me.
I noticed.
I noticed everything.
Monica began.
“No one wants to take Eli.”
I almost laughed.
“You volunteered as a placement option.”
“In case CPS decided he needed somewhere safe.”
“He has somewhere safe.”
“Rachel, you’re gone constantly.”
“No.”
“You wear a uniform constantly.”
“That isn’t the same thing.”
She leaned forward.
“You’re married to the Navy.”
“My husband was Navy too.”
“And look where that got him.”
The room froze.
My father whispered.
“Monica.”
She looked guilty for half a second.
Then hardened.
“I’m saying Eli has already lost one parent to service.”
I stood.
“This meeting is over.”
My father blocked the doorway.
“Please.”
I stared at him.
“Why?”
He swallowed.
“Because there’s something you need to know.”
Monica snapped.
“Dad.”
He ignored her.
“Jason came to me three months ago.”
Jason’s face turned gray.
My father continued.
“He needed money.”
“How much?”
“Two hundred thousand dollars.”
Monica stood.
“This is private.”
My father looked at her.
“Not anymore.”
I turned toward Jason.
“Why?”
His construction company had lost two major contracts.
Payroll taxes were overdue.
A bank line was being called.
Their house could be gone within months.
Monica stared at the carpet.
I finally understood the scale.
“Did you ask Mom for Eli’s trust documents because you wanted access to his money?”
“No.”
Too fast.
“Monica.”
“No.”
She slammed both hands on the table.
“I wanted Eli safe.”
I looked at Jason.
“Did you?”
He opened his mouth.
Monica shouted.
“Don’t.”
That told me enough.
Jason looked at me.
“I told her this was insane.”
Monica turned on him.
“You said we needed options.”
“Financial options.”
“Not her kid.”
The room went silent.
My sister’s face changed.
Something desperate appeared beneath all that control.
Then her phone buzzed on the table.
The screen lit up.
A text preview appeared from a name I recognized immediately.
SARAH COLLINS.
The message read:
May you like
Rachel left Eli with me.
What do you want me to photograph?
