I’ll come for you, then I’ll come for your daughter
The last words he said to me as I threw a bag of his stuff out the door and told him not to come back. During the day, it’s easy to imagine he was just angry, but in the darkness of night, the words take on a more sinister meaning. I believe he is capable of harming me, and that’s why I haven’t gone to the authorities.
I drape my hand over the side of the bed and run my fingers over the reassuring wood of a baseball bat. I stashed it under the bed the night I threw Paul out, just in case.
Knowing the bat’s under the bed eases my mind a little, and I roll onto my back, trying to get comfortable. But now my thoughts stray to Tony, who would never threaten me, and to the coast, where you can definitely hear the ocean and the sea breeze brings relief on hot nights, and to everything I left behind.
I came to LA because it seemed to be the place to grow my health supplement business. Amy had just turned eighteen, and Tony offered to take her in so I could spread my wings. His words, not mine.
Having Amy so young, I had a feeling I had missed out on the fun parts of life. LA seemed like the place where I could get my business going and create opportunities in the big city. But the truth is, I miss my home. Sometimes you don’t realize how good you’ve got it until you move away.
I let out a big sigh and try to relax my mind. There’s no point holding regrets. I learned long ago life never goes the way you want it, and you can spend your life complaining about it or you can make the most of it.
I’ve got no money in my account, a bunch of angry customers, and the suppliers have gone AWOL. As I stare at the ceiling, I know in my heart what I have to do.
I have to shut the business down and declare bankruptcy.
I’ve been in denial, hoping I’d find a way out. But the banks won’t give me anymore credit, and my lawyer can’t find Paul. Although since I can’t pay them anymore, they’re not trying very hard.
My eyes threaten with tears, and I squeeze them shut tight. I will not cry over this. I’m a grown woman. I will not cry.
I push the tears down and lock the hurt deep inside. Now that I’ve made a decision, my mind feels lighter. I fluff the sheet again, enjoying the breeze it creates on my body, and roll on my side.
I’m just settling into sleep when I hear a thud downstairs.
My eyes snap open. It sounded like a noise inside the house. I had the locks changed as soon as I kicked Paul out, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to break in.
I strain my ears, listening for any other movement. Just when I think all is quiet, I hear footsteps. They’re so quiet I almost missed them, but they’re definitely there.
Someone is coming up the stairs.
With my heart thudding against my rib cage, I quietly roll out of bed and grab the baseball bat.
I pad over to the other side of the room and hide behind the door, bat poised and ready in my sweaty palms.
The door slowly pushes open, creaking on its hinges. A figure dressed in black with a hood up comes into the room. But there’s no mistaking Paul’s shape.
I swallow a gasp, and in my trembling hands, my bat accidentally knocks against the back of the door. Paul swings around, and we make eye contact.
His eyes narrow, and he advances toward me. I’m about to swing the bat when there’s a bellow from behind and Tony comes charging into the room.
Paul turns, a look of surprise on his face as Tony lunges at him. Tony knocks him to the ground and they both go down grunting.
They’re both big guys, and they roll on the floor, Paul sliding out from under Tony.
As Paul rolls away, his leg kicks out wildly and connects with my shin. I don’t know if that’s what he was intending, but the pain is immediate.
I cry out and sink to the floor, clutching my leg.
“Caroline!”
Tony immediately turns to me, giving Paul an opportunity to scramble out from under him.
“Are you okay?”
Tony’s concern gives Paul the chance to escape. He bolts for the stairs, but Tony doesn’t leave my side until I give a quick nod. “I’m fine.” It’s sore and I’ll be bruised, but I don’t feel like anything’s broken.
By the time Tony gets to his feet, Paul’s down the stairs. Tony gives chase, but he’s a big guy. Speed has never been his strength.
