May 2005
I got a job at the Bishop’s Motel! Where Momma worked, cleaning rooms just like her. The manager, Al, said absolutely no way at first. I guess it’s illegal to let somebody work at thirteen (stupid). He caved when I started to cry (wasn’t even on purpose). It’s only part-time, so it’s not going to take care of the back rent right away. But it’s a start. I’ll hide the money better this time, too. Daddy’s gotten good at finding things. The pills—they give him a lot more energy.
So far, I’d managed to keep Amanda, the person, a hazy image at arm’s length. But now I felt swamped by sadness, guilt, too, for all that I’d taken for granted. Amanda had been only thirteen when she’d started working at a motel to support her possibly drug-abusing father. And she’d beenexcitedabout it.
I’d been thirteen when I’d sat down in that booth with Millie, excited about my new freedom to walk those few blocks alone. Because my mother had loved me too much to let me go. How much better I’d had it. And look what a mess my life had still become.
Grand Jury Testimony
MAX CALDWELL,
called as a witness the 6th of July and was examined and testified as follows:
EXAMINATION
BY MS. WALLACE:
Q: Mr. Caldwell, thank you for coming in to testify today.
A: You’re welcome.
Q: How did you come to be at the party at 724 First Street on July 2nd of this year?
A: My wife knows Maude from Brooklyn Country Day. Our kids go to school there.
Q: Before her death, did you know Amanda Grayson?
A: No. I’d never met her.
Q: Did you know of her?
A: No, I did not. My wife might have.
Q: Do you know Zach Grayson?
A: No. I think I might have heard of his companybefore. And now because of this … But not before.
Q: I’d like to show you a picture.
(Counsel approaches witness with photograph, which is marked as People’s Exhibit 5.)
Q: Is this a picture of the man you saw at the party that night?
A: Yes.
Q: Let the record reflect that People’s Exhibit 5 is a photograph of Zach Grayson. Where did you see him?
A: I saw him talking to some woman about Terry’s Bench. You know, the Tinder for married people? The woman was drunk and seriously pissed. She kept telling everybody at the party that her husband was on there.
Q: What did Mr. Grayson say to her?
A: That he had to go home to get some sleep. Thathe had something he had to do early in the morning. I remember because I thought it was bullshit.
Q: What do you mean?
A: The way he said it. It sounded like an excuse. I thought: That guy wants to get away from that woman. Like I said, she was pissed and drunk. Maybe he also wanted to leave the party. But it is like the only good thing that ever happens in Park Slope. I did sort ofwonder if he was having an affair. Why otherwise would you leave a sex party unless it was for sex somewhereelse?
Q: Did you see him actually leave?
