Page 82 of A Winter of Discontent for Henry Milch
The next day, I was playing with my sister, making faces and fart sounds. She was loving it. It was around four in the afternoon. Bev and Barbara were coming by later to have dinner with my grandmother, while I went on my date with Edward. He’d suggested we meet at six for dinner at the Blue Rooster in Bellflower. I’d heard people talk about it; it was supposed to be great. Of course, I’d happily go to a taco stand with Edward. He was the kind of guy who made even fast food romantic.
Someone was knocking at the front door. My first thought was Edward. But it couldn’t be… it was too early, and we were meeting at the restaurant. Maybe there was a change of plans? Or maybe he was eager, excited, couldn’t wait to see me…
Emerald was tucked in my elbow, pressed up against me, when I opened the door. Standing there were a man and a woman, both in blue suits covered with thin black windbreakers. They looked like some kind of law enforcement, and they had to be freezing.
“Can I help you?”
“You must be Henry Milch.”
“I am. And you are?”
“We’re with the US Marshals Service,” the woman said. “I’m Officer Petrie and this is Officer Tran.”
I felt a cold finger on the back of my neck and knew what she was going to say before she said it. “We’re here to bring Emerald Hounsell to her parents.”
“Where are they?”
“We can’t disclose that. They’re part of the Witness Security Program.”
“If they’re in danger, then maybe Emerald should stay here.” My mouth was dry; I could barely get the words out.
“They’re not in danger,” Officer Tran said. “And it’s time for their baby to join them.”
Officer Petrie opened her arms to take my sister. I took a step back and I choked out, “Badge. Do you have badges? And paperwork? I’m not going to give you an infant because you ask politely.”
As they dug through their pockets, Nana Cole came down the hallway relying on her cane. “What is it? What did you do now?”
“They’re US Marshals, they’re here for Emerald.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. She’s not old enough to commit any crimes.”
“They say Emily and David are in the Witness Protection Program.”
And then they produced the paperwork to prove that. I felt disconnected, as though I was watching a Steve Martin movie. But there weren’t any jokes.
“Uh, I guess you should come in while we get her things together.”
“You don’t need to worry. We have everything she’ll need,” Petrie said.
“Do you have a car seat?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. She’s in a onesie. She’s got a snowsuit, we’ll put her in that.”
“No, she’s fine.”
Officer Tran was starting to look uncomfortable. He added, “She’ll be with her mother within the hour. There’s nothing to worry about.”
“My mother’s nearby. Can we see her?”
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“So, you’re just going to take the baby and leave us with all this junk we bought for her and then we’re never—” My bruised throat seemed to close, and I couldn’t say anything more.
“Henry, just say good-bye,” Nana Cole said. “There’s nothing we can do.” She got closer and kissed Emerald on the top of her head. “I love you, my angel.”
Instinctively, I held my sister closer. “This is so wrong.”
