Page 114 of Her Ex-Husband's Brother

[LENNON:

[LENNON: I don’t know what to do]

[EIGHTHMONTH: run away with me]

[LENNON: u know we can’t]

[EIGHTHMONTH: he’s blackmailing you. It’s wrong. He’s a monster. It’s not safe]

[LENNON: we have to make smart decisions. August… Your son.]

I slam the desk again. Then pick up my phone and call Priscilla. It goes straight to voicemail. Which makes me want to scream.

Instead, I take a semi-steading breath and say, “Call me back. Owen is my son, too. You know what my family is like, Scilla. It’s not fair to keep Owen away from me when I’ve done nothing but show up for him as stable for years. I didn’t do anythingwrong—” I cut myself off when I hear myself getting too heated and squeeze my eyes shut. “Just call me. Please.”

I stare at the phone after I’ve hung up, holding it with a white-knuckled grip, hating that Jake’s fucking plan is working.

I don’t know if Priscilla will read the frustration in my voice and decide I’mnotstable. And what’s even more infuriating is knowing it’s my own actions in the past that have created that doubt. Yes, that was before I’d sought treatment for my condition—before I even knew Ihada condition and was just convinced I was a piece of dogshit who would only ever fuck everyone’s lives up?—

And now you’re not?

Damn it, now I wish I hadn’t shut down the session with Dr. Delaney early. I sit back down in the desk chair.

[EIGHTHMONTH: u still there?]

[LENNON: where else would I be?]

[EIGHTHMONTH: I’m so sorry]

A sob chokes it’s way up my throat.

[LENNON: u didn’t do anything wrong. None of this is your fault]

That bends me in half, chest on my knees. She has no idea what a lifeline that is, hearing that from her right now. Even as she’s essentially locked in a prison of my brother’s making. I have to get her out.

I have to.

[EIGHTHMONTH: I’ll find a way to get you out of there.]

[LENNON: don’t. Just live your life. That’s what would make me happy]

[EIGHTHMONTH: don’t u know me at all? I’ll never be happy with you locked in there]

[LENNON: …its only 5 years…]

Her even thinking about accepting those terms lights me up with fury.

[EIGHTHMONTH: no. we’ll find a way. We just can’t see it now. But I swear to you. We’ll find a way. I’m right here. I’m so close.]

[LENNON: I should tell u to leave. But right now… it makes it better.]

[LENNON: I’m so sorry for everything]

[LENNON: but I can’t be sorry I met you]

[LENNON: Gotta go. Heard keys in door]

A little notification flashes that Lennon has signed off and I lean back, tears still wet on my cheeks. I hurry to the front of the rented house and peek out the kitchen window.