Chapter 12: The Deposition
Ava’s deposition took place on a Thursday morning in a nondescript office building with gray carpets and neutral art. She arrived with Daniel and their attorney. She wore a soft sweater and kept her hands clasped in her lap. The tears were available but not yet deployed.
Rebecca’s questions were precise and unhurried.
She walked Ava through each documented incident. The science project. The volleyball banquet threat. The group chat messages. The voice note from the night of the barbecue. Each time Ava tried to reframe, Rebecca simply produced the next piece of evidence and waited.
At one point Ava’s voice cracked. “I was scared of her. She was always trying to replace my mom.”
Rebecca tilted her head slightly. “In the text dated March 14th, you wrote, and I quote, ‘It’s so easy. He always believes me.’ Can you explain what you meant by that?”
Ava looked at Daniel. He stared at the table. For the first time, he did not step in to rescue the moment.
May you like
The deposition lasted two hours and eleven minutes. When it ended, Ava left the room pale and silent. Daniel remained seated for a long moment after his daughter and attorney had gone. He looked at me across the table as if seeing the accumulated weight of three years for the first time.
I did not speak. There was nothing left that required my explanation.
