Richard shoved him.
Brandon shoved back.
Richard fell down the basement stairs.
He suffered a catastrophic head injury.
Paramedics couldn’t save him.
Brandon was initially detained because police needed to determine what happened.
He was later released while the investigation continued.
No dramatic murder charge.
No instant courtroom.
Just statements, evidence, lawyers, and months of uncertainty.
I went to the hospital.
Mom was in a bed with bruising along her jaw and a fractured wrist.
When she saw me, she started crying.
“I’m sorry.”
Those words again.
For once, I didn’t hate them.
I sat beside her.
“You kicked me out to save me.”
She shook her head.
“I should’ve left with you.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I was scared.”
“Of him finding us?”
She nodded.
“I thought if he woke up and both of us were gone, he’d come after you first.”
She looked ashamed.
“I thought I could control what happened if I stayed.”
