When She Regretted Her Lies novel · Chapter 17 of 24

Chapter 17: Grandmother of the Year

Inez's speech came with slides.

I had not expected slides.

A projector hummed over the front row, and a white screen unrolled behind the lectern with a rattle.

The first slide said FIVE SIGNS A CHILD IS NOT SAFE, in a cheerful blue font, next to a clip-art picture of a teddy bear.

"I am only a grandmother," Inez began, and the whole hall sighed. "I have no training. I have only eyes, and a heart that has not been able to look away."

She clicked.

SIGN ONE: A LOCKED CAR.

"A child who tries to open a door," Inez said gently, "and cannot."

Somewhere behind me, a mother said "oh no" in a whisper.

I felt forty heads turn toward Row 1.

Gil's hand tightened on mine.

I kept my face where it was.

She clicked again.

SIGN TWO: THE TOP SHELF.

"A child who is hungry, and watches the food being counted."

"It's fruit snacks," I said, under my breath. "She ate eleven."

"Shh," Gil said.

It was the only joke either of us was allowed, and he didn't make it.

She clicked a third time, and the screen went white and then filled with a still picture of my front porch.

It was the porch from Mrs. Tandy's video, with me in it, mid-laugh, with my mouth stretched open and my hand pointing at nothing.

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