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I cleaned the kitchen and flopped down on the couch in the living room. The house was spotless and there wasn’t a thing for me to do now that all of the boxes were empty. Not that the boxes contained my things. They were all bought with gift cards.
I still couldn’t believe the ghost dropped us at a motel about halfway here from Texas and had us make a list of everything we needed. He’d gone to a local Walmart
and bought toiletries and simple household items and let me pick out what I wanted for bedroom and bathroom décor. Part of me had considered running when he left us alone and I’m sure there were women rescued who’d had the same idea and acted on the impulse. It was scary to place your fate with someone you didn’t know. It was only the confirmation from my initial contact and her assurance that the ghost was legit that kept me in the hotel. That, and the fact that he knew the exact secret phrase that I’d made up with my contact.
When the ghost returned, my jaw dropped at the numerous bags he brought inside our room. He’d gotten most everything we would need for a couple of weeks and then handed over the remaining gift cards. I would be able to go shopping on my own to use the rest. There were still hundreds of dollars left. It would take care of the grocery bill long enough for me to figure out what I was going to do next.
The only thing I didn’t have was a car. When the ghost returned today, he was picking up the moving truck and dropping off a vehicle at the same time. I tried not to think of the vast amount of money that was being spent and who was handing over their hard-earned cash. All for a silly young woman who fell in love with the wrong guy and then was stupid enough to think a baby would make things better. I had zero regrets with Noah, but I did wish I had chosen a better man to father my son.
My phone made that odd chirping sound to signal an incoming message and I sat forward, heart nearly stopping until I saw the ghost and his text. Even if I now lived states away from Texas, I still didn’t think I’d ever stop looking over my shoulder for Chet or expecting his name to pop up on my screen.
Ghost: Hi. Forgot to mention this last time. I’ll be checking in on day 1, 3, 7, 14 and then months 1 thru 6. Just to make sure the transition is going smooth.
Sparrow: That’s sweet and I admit I feel less lonely knowing I’ve got someone in case of an emergency.
Ghost: That’s why I check in. Doing okay?
Sparrow: I let my son go outside to play. I had to fight the urge to have him come back in.
Ghost: Understandable. That’s hard. Probably always will be.
Sparrow: Do all the women feel like this?
Ghost: Lol, yes. And they all ask the same thing. Relax. You’re safe. So is your son.
Sparrow: I’m afraid I’ll never stop feeling this way.
Ghost: You’re strong. You had the courage to leave. That means you’ve got what it takes to survive.
Sparrow: I’ll try to remember that.
Ghost: I’m here but you won’t need me. I’ve got a feeling you’re gonna be fine and so is your son.
Sparrow: I’ll take your word for it.
Ghost: Breathe. Take one day at a time. Small steps.
Sparrow: Lol. You sound like you’re trying to save an alcoholic from taking a drink.
Ghost: Maybe. Same concept though. You can do this.
Sparrow: I know. At least I hope so. Thanks.
Ghost: Text if you need a friendly ear.
Sparrow: I will.
The front door swung open as I placed the phone back on the end table. Noah ran straight to the bathroom and I heard him using the toilet. Crazy kid never emptied his bladder before he went out. Shaking my head, I gave him a big smile when he finished washing his hands and walked over to the sofa, coming up to me with that sweet look that always melted my heart.
“I love you, Mama.”
“Love you too, my Booga.”
Noah snickered and ran back outside. The door slammed shut and then he paused on the other side of the screen, pressing his cute chubby cheeks into the mesh.
“I think it’s okay for us to smile now.”
My heart suddenly attempted to leap into my throat with the knowledge that nothing escaped my son’s notice. He was only eight. Much too young to witness all that he had but despite everything, he was still full of hope.
