Chapter 2 Q


Between life and death W


hen I saw Sierra’s limp body being pulled from the pool, I dashed over to the phone, but I couldn’t re- member how to use it. Someone took the phone from


me, and I ran back outside and stood on the wooden deck beside the pool under the hazy, late-aſternoon sky. One of Kathy’s broth- ers was performing CPR on Sierra. I tried to go to my daughter, but strong arms held me back. Time stopped. People gathered. Someone took the other chil-


dren into the house. Out of nowhere Peter walked over to me and slammed his fist


in my face. I fell backwards, stunned by the powerful punch. As I got up, I saw Kathy’s brothers holding Peter as if he were an ani- mal.


He began shouting at me, saying things like, “Why weren’t you


watching her?” I stood in a daze. Me watching her? I was inside giving Jasper a bottle. Why weren’t you watching her? My face burned. I’d never been hit like that before. My husband


was a kind, loving man. Who was this monster shouting obsceni- ties at me?


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33