Chapter 10 - GRANDMA’S DINNER ON THE FLOORThe first photograph happened by accident.
Tyler had his school tablet because his science teacher wanted pictures of household recycling for an environmental project.
He was walking past the kitchen when he saw Monica standing over the trash can.
She scraped nearly half of Beatrice’s dinner into it.
Mashed potatoes.
Chicken.
Carrots.
Tyler frowned.
“Grandma didn’t eat?”
Monica jumped slightly.
“She’s finished.”
“That’s a lot.”
“She refused.”
Tyler looked toward the living room.
Beatrice sat in her wheelchair.
Her eyes followed the food.
Tyler understood immediately.
“Is she still hungry?”
“No.”
He went to her.
“Grandma, are you hungry?”
One squeeze.
Monica saw.
“What was that?”
Tyler froze.
“What?”
“The hand thing.”
“Nothing.”
“You asked if she was hungry.”
“So?”
“And she squeezed you.”
Tyler pulled his hand away.
Monica’s expression changed.
“You’ve been communicating with her.”
“No.”
“Tyler.”
He stepped backward.
“She understands.”
“I know she understands.”
“No, you keep telling Dad she’s confused.”
“I said communication is inconsistent.”
“She told me she’s hungry.”
Monica walked toward him.
“Give me the tablet.”
“Why?”
“Give it.”
Tyler clutched it.
“No.”
Monica reached.
Tyler backed away and accidentally tapped the camera icon.
The screen activated.
He saw the trash can behind Monica.
The food.
Without thinking, he pressed the shutter.
Click.
Monica stopped.
“Did you take a picture?”
“No.”
“Give me that.”
Tyler ran.
“Tyler!”
He dashed upstairs.
Locked his bedroom door.
His hands shook.
He opened the photo.
There it was.
Food in the trash.
Not enough alone.
But something.
He emailed it to his school account because his teacher had shown the class how to back up project photos.
Then deleted it from the main gallery.
That evening Gavin called from work.
Tyler stood nearby while Monica answered.
“Yes, she ate.”
Pause.
“Most of it.”
Tyler looked toward Beatrice.
Monica continued.
“She’s doing better.”
Tyler felt something cold settle inside him.
Not fear.
Certainty.
His mother was not merely frustrated.
May you like
She was managing the story.
And if Tyler wanted his father to see the truth, he would need more than words.
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