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Evelyn’s grip on the conversation is slipping. I have maybe seconds left before they turn around and see me. Spotting the family bathroom we agreed to meet in, with an out-of-order sign hanging on the door courtesy of Evelyn, I slip inside and lock the door behind me. I lean heavily against the door, taking several long and deep breaths to try to slow my pounding heart as hot tears prick in the corner of my eyes. A rhythmic knock on the door has me freezing before a soft voice follows. “Rose?”
My hands fumble with the lock on the door before the mechanism finally slides open. Evelyn steps inside and locks the door behind her. In the very next breath, I fling myself at my best friend. She laughs at my enthusiasm but hugs me back just as hard.
“I’ve missed you so much, Evie,” I sob into her shoulder.
“Not as much as I’ve missed you.” Evelyn pulls back but keeps her hands on my shoulders as if she knows I can’t bear the idea of being separated. Her blue gaze focuses down on my stomach. “How’s the little jelly bean?”
I reach down and raise my hoodie and T-shirt to expose my small baby bump. “Growing.”
Evelyn squeals as she steps back to admire my slight but prominent pregnant belly. “That is the most adorable baby bump I have ever seen.”
“Makes everything seem more real, huh?” I worry my bottom lip as the gravity of my situation threatens to drown me.
Evelyn takes my face between her hands and forces me to look at her. Her blue eyes are firm but full of love. “Now you listen to me, Rose. Are you listening?”
I nod and sniff. “Yes.”
“Good. Now, you may not have asked for this child, but like it or not, he or she will be here in only a few short months. And I know you’re scared. You should be, honey. Honestly, I would be worried if you weren’t. But you’ll be an amazing mum. The most badass mum the world has ever known.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you already are,” she says simply. “This entire plan was made with that baby in mind. You have put them first since the moment you discovered they existed. That’s called being a mother.”
I wipe my eyes with the sleeve of my hoodie. She’s right. Annoyingly so, but right all the same. “Thanks, Evie.”
My eyes drop to the suitcase she brought in and the duffel bag beside it. The sight of them brings me full circle back to our current predicament. The men my dad sent are more than likely still waiting outside for me. I won’t be safe until I’m in Italy, and even then, I’ll never really be safe, not until my dad is six feet under.
“How long do we have?” I ask, my tone mournful.
Evelyn checks her watch. “Your plane leaves in less than an hour. We have maybe twenty minutes before they start boarding.”
I frown, my voice small as I admit, “I don’t want to say goodbye. It’s too soon. I’m not ready.”
“I don’t want to either, but we can’t risk you sticking around here any longer than you need to.”
Evelyn turns to the duffel bag and rifles through the front pocket. A moment later, she hands me a brand-new iPhone. “It’s clean and fully loaded, and I’ve already programmed my number in it, too. I want you to call me the moment you land in Italy and again when you make it to the safe house. We’ll check in once a month until it’s safer, but I’ll have an eye on you. Both of you.”
I accept the phone, happy to have a way to communicate safely with Evelyn. Kneeling in front of the suitcase, I drag the bag I brought from Miami over, take out the few mementos I packed, and move them to the suitcase.
“Okay, so here is everything you need to start your new life.” Evelyn pulls a manila envelope out from another pocket. She opens it and digs out a passport and a slim wallet.
“Rose Bennett.” In all our research, choosing a familiar name is the best option because you’re less likely to ignore it. I give the picture an approving once-over. “You did a great job.” She photoshopped my hair blond so well that it actually looks real in the portrait.
“I also had a background created for authenticity. You graduated from the University of London with a degree in creative writing. When you got pregnant, you settled down in a small town outside of Venice to concentrate on your writing and commit to raising your child. The father of your baby passed away, and you have no other family.”
“Wow, you really went all out.”
“If all your family is dead, strangers tend to avoid asking questions. Death makes people uncomfortable.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” I mutter as Evelyn continues.
“The house is in your new name, and the code to the door is written on a piece of paper in this wallet. Memorize it and then destroy it. The house is completely furnished and stocked, and I left you a surprise, but you’ll have to wait to see it. There’s also a car to use when the baby comes because you can’t cart the little jelly bean around on a bike. As cute as that would be. Also, I’ve set you up with a bank account. I know you want to find a job, but there’s a big enough cushion in there that you won’t have to for some time, even after the baby is born.”
“You didn’t have to do that.” I know exactly what Evelyn considers a “cushion,” and the money in that account won’t even make a dent in the wealth tied to Evelyn’s name.
Evelyn waves off my concern like she hasn’t just given me the equivalent of lottery winnings. “Nonsense.”
Overwhelmed with emotion, I lean forward and pull Evelyn in for another tight hug. “I really can’t thank you enough for all of this. For all your help. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
