Free A Child is Torn: Innocence Lost by Dawn Kopman Whidden

Mrs.Ginns.
     
    Jean turned her attention to the grandmother. She was about sixty-five, maybe seventy, but her skin was clear with hardly a wrinkle. It was obvious to Jean that woman took good care of herself, but today she was without makeup and her hair was uncombed. She didn’t appear self-conscious or embarrassed by her appearance. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying. “Mama, they just said to give them a few days, and then we can see him.” Her son took his place next to her, placing his hand on her thigh. His wife excused herself and left the room with the baby.
     
    “We all want to find out why this happened, Mrs. Ginns.” Jean was talking directly to Mrs. Ginns now. “Is there anything you can tell us about Brad that might give us some answers? Your son says he was well treated and well loved, and we saw his room at home… was he maybe, a bit spoiled?” Jean smiled, hoping it would make her less apprehensive about answering.
     
    “I don’t know why this happened, I just don’t. He’s such a sweet little boy. Never a problem. My Caroline loved him so much, they were all so happy…”
     
    Jean glanced over when the grandfather grimaced. She wasn’t sure if it was in reaction to her question and his wife’s answer of just the result of his physical condition. She directed her next question to him.
     
    “How about your son-in-law, Mr. Ginns? Tell me a little about him.”
     
    It was Mrs. Ginns who replied to the question.
     
    “Evan. I spoke to Evan’s mother they’re staying at a hotel in town. I offered to let them stay here, but Evan’s father wouldn’t have it.”
     
    Mrs. Ginns added. “Evan’s mom is very sweet, very quiet. She is broken-hearted, can hardly talk. It’s just so incomprehensible.”
     
    “Did your daughter and her husband get along?” Again, Jean directed her question to Brad’s grandfather.
     
    Once again it was Mrs. Ginns who answered. “They were inseparable. He was very good to my daughter. They were so excited when Brad was born; he was so proud of Brad. He just bought him tickets to the Yankee’s game… one of his coworkers knew someone, and they had box seats… Oh, God,” she began to sob. Eddie put his arms around her.
     
    “Look,” Eddie said, “my sister and her husband were great parents, and they loved Brad. Don’t you start looking for some reason to blame this on Caroline. She would never hurt that boy.”
     
    Moran sat up. “Mr. Ginns, we aren’t blaming anyone, just trying to get some answers. I’m sure that’s what you want as well.”
     
    “How long was your daughter married to Brad’s father? I know your daughter grew up here; what about Evan Madison? Can you tell us something about him?” Jean asked.
     
    This time the grandfather answered.
     
    “They met in college, fell in love. They got married right after graduation.” He paused before he went on. “Evan was a good man, good provider. His parents are a bit strange and Evan is closer—”He paused, his voice beginning to break. “Evan was closer to us than his own parents. We treated him like our own son.”
     
    “Did your daughter ever have any reservations about Brad’s behavior?”
     
    “No, never.” Mrs. Ginns shook her head, hands still fumbling with what was left of the napkin.
     
    “Well, she did say something a few months ago.” It was Eddie’s wife who spoke as she entered the room, this time without the baby.
     
    This news seemed to come as a surprise to everyone in the room.
     
    “Remember, Mama? We were at the Memorial Day picnic, and Caroline asked you when Eddie started to go through puberty. She was asking all sorts of questions about it. Asking if boys were like girls, did they get emotional; if Eddie had mood swings when he was about Brad’s age.”
     
    Mrs. Ginns frowned in concentration, trying to recall the incident.
     
    “I’m not sure, it sounds vaguely familiar. Eddie did drive us crazy, but he was older, fifteen I think.