I brought them inside and wrapped Drew in a blanket. But even hurt and exhausted, he was not focused on himself. He kept looking at Lily. He rubbed her back and whispered, "Slow, Lily. Slow."
She held a cracker with both hands and ate like she was afraid someone would take it away.
That was when I picked up my phone.
"I'm calling for help."
Drew's face changed.
"She'll be angry."
I knelt in front of him and said, "She isn't touching you again."
When responders arrived, I answered every question. I told them Drew's age, Lily's age, what I saw, and what Drew told me about being locked inside a punishment room.
MY 6-YEAR-OLD NEPHEW DRAGGED HIS BROKEN LEG SEVEN SIDEWALK BLOCKS TO MY HOUSE WITH HIS 3-YEAR-OLD SISTER CRYING IN HIS ARMS. THEN HE WHISPERED: "SHE LOCKED US IN THERE AGAIN."
