Day of Atonement by Yolonda Tonette Sanders

Elvin raced back to the house thinking Elana had returned. “His mom told us to eat and clean up then she went to look for her.” This was the first time Troy had actually recanted the entire events of that day aloud since initially speaking with the police back then. It drained him, mentally and emotionally, but he did not cry. He didn’t even tear up, as some might have expected. It was his upbringing and police training that brought forth his stoic nature, but it was the eleven-year-old boy inside who carefully recalled all the details.
    B.K. looked stunned. “As an officer, I’m sure you know that eye-witness accounts are often unreliable because each person seessomething different. The truth is often a matter of perception, right?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œWhat amazes me about the both of you is that your stories are nearly identical. Yeah, there’s been a little variation here and there about minor details, but that’s to be expected.”
    Troy and Elvin looked at each other. There was an unspoken understanding. Both had relived that day for over three decades. Neither had been able to forget it.
    â€œI still think it will be good for you both to undergo forensic memory recall.”
    â€œHypnosis?” Troy blurted. “Is that really necessary? You said yourself that our stories are similar.”
    â€œSo, you actually did not share everything about our conversation this morning,” B.K. said to Elvin who looked apologetically at Troy.
    â€œMy bad, man. I don’t like the idea either, but it’s worth a shot.”
    â€œI remember Elana’s case. I didn’t work it,” he quickly added before Troy had a chance to ask, “but I remember it and the way I felt when it wasn’t getting the media attention it deserved. I don’t have to tell you about racial tensions down here, especially back then. I have a few theories about what could have happened to her, but in order to validate or disprove any of them, we need cold, hard facts. Every detail is important. As good as your memories are about that day, you both were young. There may be things you’ve seen that can help us out that you may not recall without probing.”
    Probing? The word itself made Troy feel uncomfortable. He did not want anyone messing around in his head. “I don’t see what else I can tell you.”
    â€œOkay. Let me ask you a few questions. What color shoes did Elana have on that day?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œDid she wear barrettes?”
    â€œProbably.”
    â€œWhat about Lilly? Describe her earrings?”
    â€œOkay! I get the point you are making. I’ll do it.” Troy agreed warily. You owe it to Elana, he told himself
    â€œGood. The first available time my friend can meet with you guys is the day after Christmas, so Wednesday it is.” B.K. handed them each a business card.
    Troy studied it. Shauna McCray, Forensic Hypnosis Therapist. Meeting Investigative Needs One Mind at a Time.
    â€œI took the liberty of telling her you could be there at noon, but please give her a call and confirm. You’ll have to leave a message. She’s on vacation this week, but she’s in the area. I explained to her the nature of the case and that you,” he looked at Troy, “won’t be in town long and she promised me that she can meet with you anytime next week. The sooner the better.”
    â€œShould my mom do this, too?”
    â€œIf she’s feeling up to it that would be great. Even though she wasn’t there when your sister went missing, there could still be details she’s suppressing like a strange car lingering about that morning. I was hoping to ask her about it today, but I can wait until she calls me. Though I will be at the service Monday, I want to keep as much distance as possible from y’all. If anyone asks, you don’t know me. If your suspicions are true, that someone in your