“Don’t you tell me to step away from my daughter. This is my baby girl.”

I want to tell her to calm down. Not to make it worse. But there’s a pulsing in my head that’s thumping harder and harder. It’s started to snow again.

“Ma’am, an ambulance is on the way. Your daughter’s been in an accident. We all need to work together now to make sure she’s okay.” I can’t see his face, but I get his tone. It’s flat. He’s already decided what kind of mother she is. I struggle to sit up. I hear sirens.

“It’s not her fault,” I say, but it’s more a croak than actual words and not loud enough. “I was coming to pick her up.”

He looks at me, eyebrows raised. “You were coming to pick her up?” Emphasis on “you.”

“Honey, don’t say anything else.” Mom moves so she’s between me and Officer Ramos. “We’ll work this out.”

“I need you to come with me, ma’am. We’ll all be going down to the hospital together.” He puts his hand out, offering to help her navigate the slippery snow. But she walks straight into it and glares at his fingers on her arm.

“Do not touch me.” She’s itching for a fight.

“Ma’am, you are clearly agitated.” Now he moves so he’s between the two of us. I can’t even see her over his shoulder. No! “We’re going to take care of your daughter, but you’re going to have to calm down.”

“Like hell I will.” She’s up in his face now, pushing at his chest and hitting at his shoulders.

“Mom, no! No!” I grab the truck door and pull up to stand.

The world sways. A spinning top. And me on top of it. I stumble forward and fall to my knees. And then there are hands on me that are not my mother’s. I scream. The sirens scream. Everything flashes red, white, red, white. And then it fades to black.

3 Law and Order

Can you tell me your name?” A woman leans over me with a penlight. It’s too bright, like staring into the sun. I don’t usually mind lights. But this is sudden and terrible. I flinch and turn my head, which makes the room spin. Her sleeve brushes up against my arm. I want her to go away.

“Louise Montgomery.”

She shifts the light to the other eye and the world goes white. I blink and see spots. She’s still too close. I feel trapped—pinned down like a bug.

“How old are you, Louise?”

“Twelve. I’m twelve. C-can you move your arm?”