Part 2: HER VERSION OF WHAT HAPPENED

Patricia unlocked the car only after the store employee shouted at her.

The moment the lock released, the young woman—her name tag said KAYLA—opened my door.

Heat spilled out around me.

"Oh my God," she whispered. "Are you okay?"

I tried to answer, but my mouth was dry.

Someone brought water.

Someone wanted me to stay seated until paramedics arrived.

Patricia pushed toward me.

"There you are. See? You're fine."

Kayla turned on her.

"She was locked in there."

Patricia blinked.

"I was gone for barely a minute."

"It was longer than that."

"No, it wasn't."

"You had the keys."

Patricia looked offended.

"I was trying to stop her from driving while she was hysterical."

I stared at her.

For several seconds, I couldn't speak.

Then I said, "You locked me inside."

"I did not lock you inside."

"You pressed the button in front of me."

"I locked the vehicle because you were acting irrationally."

"While I was in it."

"You climbed in."

"To get my phone."

Her eyes flicked toward the people around us.

Then her expression transformed.

Concern.

Warmth.

Maternal patience.

The same face she used when Daniel was watching.

"Megan," she said softly, "you're eight months pregnant. You got very upset. I was worried."

I felt something inside me go cold despite the heat.

She wasn't embarrassed.

She was rewriting it.

Already.

Paramedics checked my blood pressure and heart rate. They listened to the baby's heartbeat.

Everything seemed all right.

The baby sounded strong.

I cried when I heard it.

Patricia stood nearby telling anyone who listened that it had been a misunderstanding.

When Daniel arrived twenty minutes later, she reached him before I did.

I watched my husband cross the parking lot toward his mother.

She began talking immediately.

Her hands moved.

Her face crumpled.

Then Daniel looked at me.

Not with fear.

Not with outrage.

With confusion.

That hurt more than I expected.

He approached me after speaking with Patricia for several minutes.

"What happened?"

I almost couldn't believe the question.

"She locked me in the car."

His jaw tightened.

"Mom said—"

"I don't care what Mom said."

He glanced toward her.

"Megan."

"No. Don't 'Megan' me. She took my keys, shut the door and locked it."

"She says she was trying to keep you from driving because you were upset."

"I wasn't trying to drive."

"She said you were screaming at her."

"After she locked me inside!"

People were still watching us.

Daniel rubbed a hand over his face.

"I just got here."

"Exactly."

"I'm trying to understand."

"Then ask Kayla."

I pointed at the employee who had found me.

Daniel spoke with her.

I watched his expression while she explained.

He nodded several times.

When he returned, I expected an apology.

Instead he said, "She didn't actually see Mom lock the door."

My stomach dropped.

"What?"

"She saw you after."

"Are you serious?"

"I'm not saying I don't believe you."

"Yes, you are."

"I'm saying there may have been confusion."

I turned away.

Patricia was standing beside her car.

Watching us.

She looked almost calm now.

Later, in the passenger seat while Daniel drove us home, I told him everything from the beginning.

The argument about the apartment key.

Her taking the car keys.

Her saying I needed to calm down.

Her walking away.

Daniel listened with both hands on the steering wheel.

For a while, he said nothing.

Then he sighed.

"My mom can be controlling."

I waited.

"But I don't think she would intentionally hurt the baby."

I looked at him.

"So you don't believe me."

"I didn't say that."

"Then say you believe me."

Silence.

That silence changed something between us.

I rested one hand on my stomach and looked out the window.

When we reached our apartment, Patricia was already calling him.

He let it ring.

Then she called again.

And again.

Finally, he answered.

I could hear her voice even though he wasn't using speakerphone.

"She is trying to turn you against me, Daniel."

I closed my eyes.

His shoulders stiffened.

Patricia continued.

"She has never wanted me close to this baby. Now she's inventing some horrible story because I asked for a key."

Daniel walked into the bedroom to continue the conversation.

I stayed alone in the living room.

That was when I realized being locked in the car had only been the beginning.

Because Patricia hadn't just left me in the heat.

She had decided that if I told the truth, she would make my husband believe I was the dangerous one.