Chapter 3 - The blue bottle
Hospital social worker Karen Mills arrived twenty minutes later.
Police came after.
Nobody handcuffed Margaret.
Nobody searched her purse on the spot.
Real life did not transform into a courtroom simply because a doctor found something alarming.
Questions came first.
Who had cared for Ella that day?
Me until 1:30.
Margaret from 1:45 until approximately 5:45.
I returned at 6:05.
Luke had been at work.
Any other visitors?
No.
What did Ella eat?
Formula.
Mashed banana.
A small amount of oatmeal.
Did Margaret prepare anything?
“Yes,” I said. “She made the afternoon bottle.”
Margaret interrupted.
“Using the same formula Sarah uses.”
Karen asked:
“Anything added?”
“No.”
I looked at Margaret.
She did not look back.
Then Luke said:
“Mom, what about the blue bottle?”
The room went silent.
I turned.
“What blue bottle?”
Margaret’s face hardened.
“I don’t know what he means.”
Luke looked sick.
“Yes, you do.”
“Luke.”
“Two weeks ago.”
She stared at him.
I said:
“What happened two weeks ago?”
Luke spoke slowly.
“I came home early when Mom was watching Ella.”
My heartbeat accelerated.
“There was a blue bottle on the kitchen counter.”
“What bottle?”
“I thought it was gas drops.”
“Did you ask?”
He did not answer.
“Luke.”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“Mom said it was something she used when we were babies.”
I looked at Margaret.
She snapped:
“It was nothing.”
Karen said:
“What was it?”
“I don’t remember.”
Luke whispered:
“You called it a sleep helper.”
Every part of me went cold.
I turned toward him.
“You knew she was giving Ella something to make her sleep?”
“No.”
“You just said—”
“I knew she had something. I didn’t know she was giving it to Ella.”
“Then what did you think it was for?”
He looked away.
That was not an answer.
Margaret stood.
“I’m not going to sit here while everyone twists words.”
The police officer by the door said:
“Ma’am, you’re free to leave unless hospital policy says otherwise. But an investigator will likely want to speak with you.”
“I’ll call my attorney.”
“Your right.”
She looked at me.
“You’ve always wanted to make me the villain.”
My voice surprised me.
Calm.
“My baby is in a hospital bed.”
“I love Ella.”
“Then tell us what was in the blue bottle.”
Margaret picked up her purse.
“I don’t remember.”
She left.
Luke did not follow.
May you like
That mattered.
But not enough.
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