Chapter 6 - The Final Slice
The taller officer didn't ask for a statement.
He didn't ask for context.
He took one look at the angry, rising red swelling on the small child's head, and then at the heavy green glass bottle resting near the ruined cake.
He stepped heavily over the melting ice cubes.
He reached down, grabbing the grandmother roughly by the soaked fabric of her expensive dress.
He hauled her to her feet without a single shred of gentleness.
The cold metal of the handcuffs clicked loudly in the quiet room—a harsh, mechanical ratcheting sound.
The steel locked securely and unforgivingly around her thin, wrinkled wrists.
The grandmother’s eyes darted frantically around the room, the arrogant, untouchable facade completely and utterly shattered.
"Ryan, don't let them take me!"
She shrieked, her voice cracking, her expensive waterproof makeup finally giving way and running in dark, ugly streaks down her pale face.
The man in the suit took half a step forward, his hand dropping from his bruised cheek.
He looked at the armed officers.
He looked at the steel cuffs binding his mother.
He looked at his wife, who was staring back at him with eyes devoid of any remaining love.
He stopped.
He let his hands drop to his sides, his shoulders slumping forward in absolute, pathetic defeat.
The officers turned the older woman around, marching her toward the flashing red and blue lights waiting in the cold night outside.
The mother stood perfectly still in the center of the wreckage, her chin resting gently on her daughter’s braided hair.
The little girl peeked out from behind her mother’s blue silk collar.
She watched the woman in the ruined gold dress being led away through the grand doors.
"Mommy," the child whispered, her breath warm against her mother's neck.
"Yes, baby?"
The little girl looked at the massive, dented cake, then back to the flashing police lights.
"Grandma tried to save the cake from me."
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The child rested her uninjured cheek against her mother's collarbone.
"But now she doesn't even get to eat a slice."
