CHAPTER 2: THE KNOCK AT THE DOOR
CHAPTER 2: THE KNOCK AT THE DOOR
The knock came again.
Harder this time.
Not the polite tap of a neighbor.
The kind of knock that arrives carrying consequences.
My mother rushed toward the door first.
"Diane, don't say anything," she hissed.
But it was already too late.
I stood frozen in the hallway, Sophie limp against my shoulder, while another knock echoed through the house.
Then a voice.
"Police Department. Open the door."
The color drained from Diane's face.
For the first time all evening, she looked afraid.
Not sorry.
Afraid.
My mother opened the door with trembling hands.
Two officers entered, followed by a female paramedic carrying a medical bag.
The paramedic came directly to me.
"You're Sophie's mother?"
"Yes."
She immediately began checking Sophie's pulse and pupils.
"When was the medication given?"
I looked straight at Diane.
"Ask her."
The room became silent.
One officer turned.
"Ma'am?"
Diane swallowed.
"About an hour ago."
The officer's expression changed instantly.
"What medication?"
"It was just a sleeping pill."
"Name."
Diane hesitated.
That hesitation told everyone everything.
The officer's voice hardened.
"Name. Now."
My sister whispered it.
The paramedic's eyes widened.
"That's an adult prescription medication."
My stomach dropped.
The paramedic looked at me.
"We need to transport her immediately."
As she reached for Sophie, my daughter suddenly stirred.
A weak groan escaped her lips.
"Mommy..."
I nearly broke.
"I'm here, baby. Mommy's here."
Sophie's eyes opened halfway.
Then rolled back again.
The paramedic moved faster.
"We're leaving now."
The officers stepped aside as we rushed toward the ambulance.
But before I crossed the doorway, I heard Diane behind me.
"It was ONE pill!"
The officer stopped writing.
Slowly he looked up.
"One pill can kill a child."
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The silence that followed was devastating.
And for the first time, Diane had no response.
