Then Patricia laughed.
It was a short, disbelieving laugh.
“Oh, Gabriel. You cannot possibly be taking this seriously.”
“What part should I not take seriously? The bruises? The threats? The fact that you left a sixteen-year-old alone for days while she washed everyone’s clothes by hand?”
Her voice sharpened.
“She has always been dramatic. She’s been jealous of Bianca since the beginning.”
“Did you leave her alone in the house?”
“We knew she could take care of herself.”
“Did you tell her she wasn’t allowed to use the washing machine?”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“Did Bianca hit her?”
“Gabriel, listen to yourself. You’re accusing my family of abusing a child because your daughter told you a few stories.”
“My daughter has bruises.”
“Teenagers get bruises!”
I closed my eyes.
There it was.
Not concern.
Not disbelief mixed with fear.
Annoyance that her private arrangements had been discovered.
“Patricia, do not contact Sofia to question her about what she told me. Do not threaten her, and do not attempt to take her anywhere. Any communication about her safety needs to go through the appropriate people.”
