PART 27
Police arrived first.
Two officers.
Same men who later stood on the porch when Mom came home.
Officer Reynolds.
Officer Kim.
They knocked.
I opened the door.
Officer Reynolds crouched slightly.
“Ethan?”
I nodded.
He smiled gently.
“I’m Officer Reynolds.”
“This is Officer Kim.”
“Can we come in?”
I hesitated.
Then remembered Mr. Alvarez.
He was still on speaker.
“It’s okay.”
So I opened the door.
PART 28
They looked around.
Not dramatically.
Professionally.
Kitchen.
Food.
Envelope.
Empty refrigerator shelves.
They asked questions.
How long.
Last contact.
Money.
Emergency plan.
Neighbors.
Family.
School.
I answered.
Then Officer Kim asked.
“When did you last eat?”
I thought.
“Ramen.”
“When?”
“Lunch.”
“What before that?”
“Cookies.”
He looked at Reynolds.
Then said.
“Okay.”
Reynolds asked.
“Would you like something to eat now?”
I nodded.
That was when I started crying again.
Because nobody had asked me that in thirty days.
Would you like something to eat?
PART 29
Officer Kim went to the patrol car.
Came back with a protein bar and bottled water.
Then Mr. Alvarez arrived.
With a social worker.
Her name was Ms. Greene.
She brought a sandwich.
Turkey.
Cheese.
Apple slices.
I ate too fast.
She told me.
“Slow down.”
Not scolding.
Protective.
I slowed down.
Halfway through the sandwich, I asked.
“Is my mom in trouble?”
Nobody answered immediately.
Then Ms. Greene said.
“We’re trying to understand what happened.”
I nodded.
That felt scary.
But honest.
