Page 2 of Under the Bed

Kaleb isn’t insane. I say that to my dad all the time, but he never listens. He hates both of us.

“All rise.”

I’m quick to do as the bulky bailiff says. I’m a kid, just eleven years old. I’ve been taught to listen to adults or else.

And this adult’s command is loud. It’s made louder as it bounces off the wood walls of the courthouse.

But the rest of the people here aren’t as scared as I am. No, they rise slower.

Maybe their daddies never got mad at them for taking too long.

Maybe.

Mine sure has.

Mine doesn’t fear anything or anyone. Wearing one of his expensive blue suits, he rises last.

Right after Astrid, Kaleb’s mom. She’s dressed in a white skirt and blazer, her blonde hair twisted at the nape of her neck. Her golden eyes, which are so much like Kaleb’s, are fixed on my father.

Daddy ignores her. His brown gaze is locked on the judge.

I wish we were the only people here.

We aren’t.

On the other side of the aisle, already standing, are the so-called victims’ parents.

Before them stands the old district attorney. He has gray hair, and his assistant is a blonde lady. My stomach is in knots. I hate them so much.

I hated them as soon as they walked into my home this past week.

Even more so when both of them left, smiling, each holding a large suitcase they had received from Daddy. They laughed like they were sharing a joke or something.

A mean joke.

Other people visited Daddy after them. They’re here—the two lawyers who were supposed to help Kaleb. Tomake everything blow over and fast, my father told them.

Scarlett, the first lawyer, has dark eyes and darker hair pulled into a tight ponytail. Grayson, the second one, has brown hair and blue eyes.

They look so much alike. Shoulders squared. Gray suits. Serious expressions.

They stand, too. Of course, they do.

The last person I recognize here as Daddy’s friend is Judge Gwyneth. She just walked into the court now. Black robe. White hair. Green eyes. She’s smiling.

What is she smiling about?

Oh, she’s looking at my dad.

She can do whatever she wants. I don’t care about her anymore.

Kaleb. I care about him.

While everyone rises, he stays in his seat.

My savior. My hero.

The person I’m about to lose today.

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