Chapter 2 - The Silence In The Hallway
The heavy Montana wind howled against the reinforced glass windows of the sprawling Aspen-style lodge, rattling the large American flag hanging proudly in the grand hallway.
Mr. Vance remained kneeling on the dark hardwood floor, his tattooed knuckles resting gently on his jeans as he kept his eyes locked on six-year-old Lily.
Mrs. Higgins stood frozen near the mahogany baseboards, her sharp navy blue suit looking suddenly fragile as her breath hitched in her throat.
“I asked you a question, Lily,” Mr. Vance repeated, his voice dropping into a soft, resonant register that completely ignored the older woman trembling behind him.
“Did it hurt when you fell?”
Lily bit her lower lip, her big hazel eyes shimmering with unshed tears as she clutched the heavy grey medical walking boot against her sunflower yellow dress.
She didn't answer right away, her chest rising and falling with ragged, nervous breaths as she glanced nervously toward the strict house manager.
Mrs. Higgins took a hurried step forward, her face twisting into a strained, nervous smile as she tried to salvage her authority.
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“Sir, the child is merely playing for sympathy because she destroyed your antique Brazilian cherry wood floor,” Mrs. Higgins interjected with a sharp, defensive edge.
“I have maintained this estate for twenty years, and we simply cannot tolerate undisciplined behavior from foster placements.”
