Page 193 of Broken
“Mr. Man?”
“Uh-huh,” Ethan replied.
“What did he look like?”
Silence.
“Was he tall like your uncle or shorter like me?”
Ethan didn’t answer.
“Ethan, I like your picture. Who are you drawing?”
“That’s me and that’s Uncle Prescott. That’s Jack and Loki. We play together.”
“That’s wonderful,” Chan said. “What a great drawing.”
“Jack is nice to me. She reads to me and she brushes my teeth. She makes me good food and she does sleepovers. Everyone gets to sleep in a sleeping bag in the family room. I had a—” he looked at Prescott—“I was afraid one night and she held me and she gave me her special water.”
Dr. Chan regarded Prescott. “Who is Jack?”
“My girlfriend, Jacqueline. She and Ethan have become close.”
“She gives me sugar.” Ethan grinned. “Just a little—” he indicated with his small fingers— “because Uncle Prescott says lots of sugar is bad.”
Dr. Chan and the detective laughed.
“It sounds like you’re a good eater, Ethan,” said Chan.
“She has a puppy. His name is Loki. He’s black and he’s learning to share.”
Dr. Chan nodded. “That’s wonderful. Ethan, do you remember if your mommy’s boyfriend had light hair or dark hair?”
Ethan looked at the therapist. “He has no hair—” Ethan put his hand on his head— “but he has hair on his face.”
“That’s very good, Ethan,” said Dr. Chan. “Did he live with you and your mommy?”
“A little.”
“Could you draw a picture of him?”
“I don’t want to. I don’t like him.”
“Why?”
“He scared me.”
“Is there anything about your mommy’s friend that you remember?”
“He kissed my mommy.”
The therapist had more questions for Ethan, but he’d grown silent.
“Thank you for talking to me, Ethan,” Dr. Chan said. “Do you want to bring your artwork home?”
“Okay.” Ethan went to the door, turned back to Prescott.
The detective escorted them to the lobby.
