Mia Was Blamed for Knocking Down the Family Picture — Then the Security Camera Showed the Door Had Shaken It From the Table
Chapter 2 — Evelyn Had Rearranged the Room That Morning
The family photograph normally sat on a wide bookshelf across the room.
It had been there for almost three years.
Stable.
Protected.
Far from doors.
Far from children playing on the rug.
Michael pointed toward the empty shelf.
“You moved it.”
Evelyn nodded reluctantly.
“This morning.”
“Why?”
She looked toward the damaged frame.
The photograph had been taken at a family picnic the previous summer.
Michael.
Mia.
Evelyn.
Michael’s sister Natalie.
Her husband.
Three cousins.
Everyone laughing toward the camera.
That evening, Natalie and her family were coming for dinner.
Evelyn wanted to take a new photograph in the living room.
She had rearranged several decorations so the room would look nicer.
The family frame had been moved to the console table because Evelyn thought it looked better near the entrance.
Michael touched the table.
It shifted slightly.
“This isn’t very stable.”
Evelyn immediately answered:
“It has always been fine.”
Michael pressed one corner.
The table rocked again.
“Not with a heavy frame on top.”
Evelyn looked uncomfortable.
Mia pointed toward the table.
“Grandma put picture there.”
“Yes,” Evelyn said quietly.
Michael looked toward the hallway door.
“And why did that slam so hard?”
Evelyn’s expression changed again.
She knew something about that too.
