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“When I was three years old, my dad killed my mum,” Mary-Anne started, “No one believed me. They kept saying that my mum was very sad and went to heaven. I remember police officers calling me a liar! I’ll never forget that. Even now, I’ve had my counsellor and my social worker ask how can I recall something from that young of age.”
Mary-Anne paused, leaning forward in her chair, she challenged the officer with her strong gaze and her words, “But I ask, how can I not recall the day I watched my father kill my mother?”
Officer Harris didn’t flinch. He simply looked back at Mary-Anne and replied, “I don’t believe anyone would forget something that significant in their lives, Mary-Anne. Even if you were only 3 years old, I don’t believe that would be something you’d ever forget.”
Mary-Anne leaned back, “No, it’s not.”
“What happened then, Mary-Anne?” Officer Harris inquired, “I understand you and your father basically moved all around after your mother died. That your father took on many different jobs. Was it during one of these times you met Tracey?”
“After my mum’s funeral, my dad packed us up and we moved. We moved all the time. We lived out of his car and sometimes we stayed in motels. When I turned four, he got a job working in a mill in Chetwyn. He had to get me a babysitter for the nights he worked and on the days he worked, I stayed in daycare.”
Mary-Anne took a breath and continued on, “My dad, he did things dad’s shouldn’t do. Only I didn’t know ‘cause I was so mixed up and I was just a kid. That’s what my counsellor tells me. Even Bobby told me that it wasn’t my fault. He was the adult and he knew better!”
“Yes Mary-Anne, he did know better and I’m glad to hear that you have people who care about you now. Who can tell you all the time this is true – it wasn’t your fault,” Officer Harris stated.
“Well see, I got into trouble because I was playing with other kids in daycare like my dad played with me. Only when I told my teacher, she called me a liar. You want to know why?” Lisa whispered and continued when she saw the officer nod, “Because she was dating my dad and wanted to marry him. So she told me to stop being a liar and to stop making trouble.”
Lisa cried out and tried to get up to go to Mary-Anne. Both Robert and Bobby pulled her down.
Robert whispered, “No Lisa, you have to let her do this herself.”
Bobby added, “Or she’ll stop talking Mum because she’ll believe we think she’s lying or worse, she’ll think we hate her because of everything that has happened.”
Reluctantly Lisa settled down and Mary-Anne continued.
“But I was a real mess. I liked Chetywn and I had some friends. But I didn’t trust anyone. Why should I? And I was so sad over my mum but no one wanted to hear that. My dad would hit me if I cried for my mum, so I just learned to hit back. Only I didn’t hit my dad, I hit other kids.”
“Mary-Anne that is understandable. You were in so much pain and no one was listening to you,” Officer Harris stated, then added, “You are a very strong, brave girl for surviving all this.”
“I am, aren’t I” Mary-Anne replied back, “Never thought of it like that before. Anyhow, it started to get real bad for my dad because a few parents went and told a social worker about what I was doing to their kids. But my dad and that stupid teacher, they lied and said I was just a bad kid.”
Robert’s hands turned to fists as Mary-Anne spoke. Bobby felt himself feeling really sick and ran to the bathroom. Lisa sat numb until she heard Bobby retching. She then got up slowly and walked to the bathroom to take care of him.
“Look, I don’t want to say anything more right now, ok?” Mary-Anne stated as she followed the sound of the retching with her eyes, “It’s upsetting my family and none of this is their fault.”
“Mary-Anne, I gave you the choice and I stand by that choice,” Officer Harris stated, “We will arrange to meet with you tomorrow at the station with your social worker. We really should have had her here anyhow but I didn’t think I’d actually be meeting with you today.”
Mary-Anne sat quiet, thinking deeply. With well-guarded words she stated, “No, there have been too many secrets in this family. I think if we take a break and come back tomorrow, it’ll be ok. But maybe my worker should be here, hey.”
“I agree Mary-Anne, I’ll contact your social worker as soon as I leave here.”
Turning to Robert, Officer Harris asked, “Does all this sound okay with you? I have to agree with Mary-Anne. It’s been a long 2 hours and I believe we all need a break.”
Officer Harris and Robert stood up at the same time. Robert outstretched his hand and shook the officer’s hand firmly as he spoke, “I agree. It is important to respect Mary-Anne’s opinion of the situation and we do all need a break. It’s been a very emotional few days and we’ll need strength to face what is ahead.”
Lisa and Bobby returned, catching the jest of what was occurring. Lisa was pale and Bobby appeared gray.
“I’m sorry Mary-Anne,” Bobby stumbled for the words, “I’m really sorry.”
Mary-Anne walked over and hugged Bobby, then slugged him lightly in the arm, “It’s ok, I still love you.”
With that she walked out of the room, through the kitchen and out the door. Outside, she took a big breath and outstretched her arms, then headed for the tree fort. Even after all these years, the fort was still up in the tree, beckoning her. At the top, she sat with her feet dangling over the side and whispered to the trees,
“Hey moon. You promised to protect Bobby and me. You promised to keep us safe. You better not be lying because tomorrow, he’s going to really need you to cover him in moondust and make him real strong. So moon, you better send down some angels because they sure are going to need them.”
© 2001
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