Ethan stood frozen in the middle of the patio.
For the first time in years, nobody was listening to him.
Nobody was looking at him.
Every eye was fixed on Lisa as the deputies guided her toward the gate.
“This is ridiculous!” she screamed. “Dad, tell them to stop! I didn’t do anything!”
Chief Miller didn’t answer.
The look on his face told everyone something far worse than anger was happening.
He was ashamed.
Deeply ashamed.
One of the deputies carefully retrieved the remains of the Silver Star from the grill using a pair of barbecue tongs and placed the damaged medal into an evidence bag.
Several guests stared in disbelief.
Only now were they beginning to understand what they had witnessed.
Not just an insult.
Not just a family argument.
A decorated military honor had been destroyed.
A child had been struck.
