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Chapter 3
Rose's phone screen came to life with the handsome face of her husband. He usually smiled the second he saw her, but his face was a mask of concern and frustration and Rose's stomach instantly tightened.
"Are you guys watching the news?" he asked, instead of his normal greeting.
Rose sighed, knowing exactly what he was about to say. She had caught some of the news about the Covid-19 virus while scrolling Facebook on her phone. "No, we’ve been avoiding it because it stresses a certain someone out too much. Should I be watching it?"
"No, that's not necessary, but I need to talk to you about it."
Rose caught his meaning and went to the guest room for some privacy. "Okay, what's up?"
"We're on our way home and have been talking and we think it's safer for you two and the kids if we stay at our place and you stay there."
Rose nodded, "I thought you might say that. Do you think this is something we should be nervous about?"
"I wouldn't say nervous, but we do need to be cautious. You all need to stay home unless there's an emergency."
"How long do you think it will last?"
Keith was silent for a moment. "I don't know, baby."
"What do you mean you don't know?" Katie burst into the room. "How long are we going to be locked up? Why can't Jeff come home? What’s happening?"
Rose closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She'd have to shove her own concerns aside for the time being and take care of Katie. It would actually help her keep her own wits if her energy was poured into taking care of her girl and the kids.
"What have you been told about listening to conversations that you are not involved in, little girl?" Keith scolded.
"But it involves me and my kids, and so I should get to know! Where's Jeff?"
"I'm driving, babe. Listen to your uncle please."
"Are you sick? Why can't you come home?" She tried to pull the phone from Rose's hands, but Rose held tight.
"Katelynn, knock it off right now," Rose admonished. "If you want to be a nosey brat and listen to this conversation, then you can do it with your nose in the corner."
"No!" Katie stomped her foot and crossed her arms over her chest. "I demand to know what’s happening. I am an adult for fuck's sake."
The room went eerily silent aside from the sound of the car's engine over the phone speaker.
"Gentlemen, we'll call you back." Rose hung up without waiting for a response.
"I'm sorry, Rose, I didn't mean it. It just slipped out."
Rose's deepening frown said everything it needed to about her willingness to accept that excuse. "Is 'it just slipped out' ever a valid excuse, little girl? Address me properly, please."
Dropping her eyes, Katie shook her head. "No, Auntie."
Rose closed the gap between them in two steps and with her finger under Katie's chin, brought her eyes up to meet hers. "What happens to little girls who use naughty language?"
Katie's eyes widened and she shook her head "No, Auntie, please. I'm sorry. I won't do it again."
"I've heard that one before. Are the kids still asleep?"
Katie nodded and Rose grabbed her hand and tugged her into the attached bathroom. Katie tried to dig her heels in, but it was a futile attempt and it did nothing to delay the inevitable.
"Corner. Now," Rose ordered.
Katie obeyed, tears building in her eyes and apprehension clenching her tummy. She hated getting her mouth soaped, and every second she spent nose to the wall, listening as Rose unwrapped a new bar and turned on the water only made it worse.
