Broken Beauty by Chloe Adams Read Free Book Online

even though it’s barely noon. Ari lies across my bed, playing on her iPad.
    “Chris came up. He says you have to write a statemen t for the police a nd to meet him in like, ten minutes in the study,” Ari said, glancing up.
    I just want this to be over. But I put on jeans. Ari helps me with the t-shirt. My upper body is too stiff and sore for me to raise my hands above my head. Finally dressed, I go downstairs. Chris is alone in the study, sitting at the table where Daddy meets his team. There’s a pad of paper and a pen in front of Chris.
    “Have a seat,” he says without looking up from his phone. “I want you to write what ha ppened in your own words. We’ll go from there.”
    “Didn’t Shea already do this and have me humiliate myself in front of everyone?” I ask.
    “This is the official statement for the police that they put in their records for the investigation,” he explains.
    This has to be the last thing. I feel stronger after talking to my mom. I sit down and write my version of events. It takes up half a page. I slide it to Chris. He takes one look at it and slides it back.
    “Try again. As detailed as possible.”
    “You said in my own words,” I remind him.
    “The purpose of a statement, from my point of view, is to give the police all the information they can possibly want, so they don’t come back to bug you again,” he says with a rare smile. “So include everything you can remember.”
    I bite my tongue to keep from snapping. He’s trying to help me. I don’t think he understands that I want to forget every detail of that night – not remember.
    The next version, he marks up with a red pen, crossing out details and adding in notes.
    “Seriously?” I ask, near tears.
    “Everything you can remember,” he says again.
    I cover my face with my hands. “I can’t do this.”
    “You can, Mia,” he replies quietly. “Let’s take a break. I’ll get you some praline ‘n cream ice cream.”
    It’s my favorite, though I’m not sure how he knows that.
    “You still like grape soda, like you did when you were little?” he asks, standing.
    “How do you remember that?” I lower my hands.
    “I’m a part of this family, too, Mia. Believe it or not, most of us are trying to figure out how to help you through this. I know the statement makes you remember things you don’t want to, but it’s necessary. If ice cream and grape soda will make it less horrible, then I’m happy to get them for you.”
    He leaves the study. I watch him go, surprised he is being so nice. I wipe my face and sit back, my eyes going automatically towards the wall that’s shared with my father’s office. Why is Chris being so nice and Daddy hasn’t even called?
    I start to rewrite the statement. Chris comes back with the ice cream and soda and places them beside me. I take a short break then finish my ice cream while writing. If he’s irri tated about me dribbling ice cream onto the paper, he doesn’t say anything.
    When I’m done, I pass him the newest version. He reads it quietly.
    “Getting much better. A few more little changes,” he says. There’s an odd note in his voice. “I can’t believe this happened to you, Mia.”
    “Yeah, well, it did.” I’m exhausted from the exercise and my pain pills. I’ve rewritten my version of the events three times now and am feeling numb. I just want this over with.
    “I’m sorry I didn’t insist you go to the fundraiser instead.”
    “I wouldn’t have done it,” I say glumly. “I hate those things. I hate being part of this family.”
    “You don’t mean that.”
    “But I do.”
    Chris studies me. He’s frowning.
    “I don’t fit in here, Chris. I’m not perfect like Molly. I don’t want anything to do with politics like Joseph. Daddy barely speaks to me and then he sends Mom away, and she’s the only one who is nice to me. I hate it here!”
    Chris is quiet for a long moment then leans forward.
    “I didn’t realize what it’s like for you