AllFreeNovel
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After she's gone, I whisper-shout into the phone, “What are we gonna do?”
“The first priority is getting you somewhere the press can’t find you. I don’t want them scaring Monica and hurling their bullshit her way.”
“Agreed. But I’m cornered here. I can’t leave without them seeing her.”
“Leave that to me. I’m going to make some calls. You sit tight for now and do not go outside. Don’t answer your phone either unless it’s my number, got it?”
“Yeah, got it. Please hurry.” I do a crap job of hiding my fear, because I know Jimmy’s freaked out since he’s not here, but I’ve never felt more trapped in my life.
“I’m on it.” He hangs up.
I listen to dead air before I register our conversation is over. The phone shakes as I place it on the counter. I walk to Monica’s bedroom and pull out her small suitcase I bought her before we went to Monument Rocks last year.
“Whatcha doing, Mommy?”
I grab some of her clothes and put them in the suitcase. “We’re going to go on a short trip.”
She jumps up. “Yay! Back to the big rocks? Don’t forget my swimsuit.” She runs over to her dresser and pulls out her striped one-piece swimsuit.
“You’re so helpful. Can you get your underwear and socks too?”
She closes the drawer and opens up her top drawer, pulling out one pair of underwear and socks. She places them nicely in the suitcase. “There you go.”
I smile. My amazing daughter is so helpful in this moment, although she has no idea how grateful I am that she is. “We’ll need more.”
“How many?” She stands by the open drawer.
“Just pack all of them."
“All?” Her eyes light up then dim. “That’s a lot of nights.”
“Always want to be prepared.”
She puts her hands on her hips. “Last time you told me you never want to overpack."
She picks now to school me on the lessons of life I teach her?
“Difference circumstances. Come on. Bring them over.”
She plops them in the suitcase. “What about Cecilia? She wants to go.”
I hold up the small zipper section on the front. “I’d never dream of leaving her behind.”
She grabs the Barbie doll and drops her in the suitcase.
I zip up her suitcase and put it on the floor.
“Are you packed too?” she asks.
I ruffle her hair. “Why don’t you come into my room and help me?”
Instead of allowing her to walk, I carry her into my room. As I pack my clothes and everything for who knows how long, I realize the hard-won small-town life I’ve carved out through sheer will and determination is over.
I’ve been thrust back into the spotlight I never wanted to return to.
* * *
A couple of hours later,Jimmy calls. He’s arranged for a private plane to take us to a residence he’s secured in West Mercer Island, Washington. Body guards will be escorting us from the house to the airport.
