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“You’ve done so much for me, too,” I tell her. “You even bought all these things for Lara.”
“Which Antonio paid for,” she reminds me. “I only did the shopping, which I’ve already told you was my pleasure. Oh, and I didn’t just buy things for Lara. I got you some, too. They should be here.”
She grabs the red paper bag and starts emptying its contents on the table. At first, all I see are more baby clothes and a baby blanket. Then Sally pulls out a blouse that Lara won’t fit into for at least another ten years.
“Found it.” She gives me a triumphant grin. “This is for you.”
I shake my head. “You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.” She holds the blouse against me. “And look at that. It suits you. And it’s just the right size. Plus…”
She grabs something else from the paper bag.
“It matches Lara’s dress so the two of you can have matching outfits on your first day out. Cute, right?”
I’m not sure. Matching outfits seem a little too much, especially since Lara and I aren’t really mother and daughter. But Sally already got them and I don’t want to offend her, so I say nothing.
Sally looks inside the paper bag. “There it is.”
She takes out something wrapped in newspaper. A snow globe. She hands it to me.
“Whenever I’m stressed at home, I give my snow globe a shake,” Sally explains. “I thought maybe the trick would work for you, too. Plus it has a mother and baby bear. Cute, right?”
I don’t answer as I give it a shake. It’s cute, sure, and I have to admit it has a calming effect, but do I really need it?
“There’s one more thing. I almost forgot about it.”
She reaches inside the bag and takes out a bunch of emerald green silk. She unravels it and I see a wraparound dress with a ribbon around the waist and long sleeves.
“I saw this and I just thought of you,” Sally explains. “The color goes well with your hair and the style is perfect for your figure. I don’t know how you managed to get such a slim body so soon after giving birth, but hey, if I did, I’d flaunt it.”
She holds the dress against me. “What do you think?”
I look down at it and run my fingers over the soft fabric.
It’s beautiful, no doubt. But would it look good on me? I’ve never worn anything so pretty. Besides, why would I wear it now? Where would I wear it?
“It’s dazzling,” I answer. “But I’m not sure…”
I stop as my gaze falls on the newspaper on the table. I didn’t notice it before, but now my eyebrows furrow as I recognize the name.
The Indianapolis Herald. I’m pretty sure Jim used to read that. How did it get all the way here?
“Triss?” Sally puts a hand on my shoulder. “Are you alright?”
“Yes,” I answer softly but quickly, taking my eyes off the newspaper so I can meet her gaze. “I’m fine.”
She doesn’t look convinced, but before she can ask more, Lara starts making a fuss. Sally shoves the dress into my arms and rushes towards her.
I put the snow globe down on the table so I can fold the dress. My eyes dart towards the newspaper once more. Unable to resist temptation, I pick it up and straighten it out. As I run my fingers across the bottom right corner, I see the headline of an article.
Man Survives Five Stab Wounds.
My eyes grow wide. My pulse races as I read the rest. My mind can barely keep up as my eyes devour the words. When I’m finished, I can’t breathe.
Jim’s alive.
The paper crackles between my fingers as my trembling hands clench into fists.
I don’t know if he’s awake. I don’t know if he remembers what happened or if he’s told anyone. The paper is a few days old, though, so he might have.
One thing’s for sure – Jim will come for me sooner or later, which means my nightmare isn’t over.
I’m not safe in Summerset anymore.
~
As soon as I’m sure Lara is asleep, as soon as the house is completely quiet, I make my escape.
I hold my breath as I go down the stairs, pausing after each step and glancing over my shoulder every few seconds just to make sure Antonio isn’t behind me.
He isn’t. He seemed better when he came back. He was even talking to me. I was the one who was distracted, keeping my distance. I tried my best to pretend I was fine, but as soon as we were done with dinner, I took Lara and went to my room. I was afraid he’d come knocking, but he didn’t. He must already be asleep right now. Or so I hope.
I don’t go out the front door. Instead, I slip out of the kitchen window.
