“Then my mom came out of the kitchen because she heard the noise,” Salomé continued. “And my dad yelled at her to be quiet. Then Uncle Julián got even angrier. I saw his boots from under the table. They were pacing back and forth. My mom said she didn’t want to know anything more. That she wasn’t going to sign anything. And then…”
The girl paused.
Ramira pressed her against herself.
“You don’t have to say it if you can’t,” she whispered.
But Salome barely moved aside, with a determination that chilled everyone.
-If I can.
He took a breath.
—My dad tried to grab my mom’s arm. She pulled away. Uncle Julian pulled out something shiny. My dad said, “Are you crazy?” Then there was a thud. My mom screamed. I crawled out from under the table and saw my dad on the floor.
The silence was total.
“There was blood,” the girl said. “A lot. My mom knelt down and touched him. Her hands were covered in blood. Uncle Julián put the knife in her hand and told her that if she talked, he would take me away. He said that everyone already knew they were fighting. That they would believe him. Then he saw me and knew I was awake. He pulled me out from under the table, squeezed my face, and told me that if I ever told anyone what I saw, my mom would die too, and then it would be my turn.”
Ramira’s breathing turned into a muffled sob.
The social worker dropped the phone on the floor without realizing it.
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