The holes.
The faucets.
The damaged bathroom.
My grandmother’s mirror.
Suddenly, they no longer looked like the work of someone who’d lost his temper on moving day.
They looked deliberate.
My father lowered his gaze.
“I kept the voicemail.”
Then he sat down.
The attorneys began discussing whether the recording could be considered.
Brian’s lawyer argued that it had not been disclosed beforehand.
Claire explained why the statement might be relevant to intent and credibility.
Judge Alvarez instructed that the recording be preserved and said she would address its evidentiary status alongside the other testimony and documents.
Then she called a short recess.
***
The moment we stepped into the courthouse hallway, I turned toward Dad.
“You knew he might do something?”
“No,” he answered.
“Dad.”
“I thought he’d leave the place dirty. Maybe take a few things he wasn’t supposed to take. I never imagined he’d destroy the walls or your grandmother’s mirror.”
