“Don’t worry,” Violet said, following my gaze.“That’s Riot.He’s with the MC.They provide security and protection when any of our women need to leave the facility.”
“MC?”I asked, the abbreviation unfamiliar.
“Motorcycle club.They’re partners with New Beginnings.They help keep our residents safe.In fact, this is their property.They donated the building and helped with the renovations and security.”She smiled at me in the rearview mirror.“Give them a chance.No one gets into Kiss of Death MC without being a good man.Their president, Knuckles, won’t allow anything otherwise.”
A biker gang.She was talking about a biker gang like they were the neighborhood watch.Had we jumped from the frying pan into the fire?
Sensing my disquiet, Violet reached over and squeezed my hand.“Look.I can see Lana didn’t have time to explain everything to you.She probably thought you’d back out if you found out about Kiss of Death before you got here.Lana only sends us the women in the worst danger because the guys at Kiss of Death work with her to protect and support vulnerable women and children from abusive partners.”
Violet parked the small SUV in front of the building.The thing was really huge.I had no idea how they had the place broken up into areas, but I had no doubt they could house at least a couple dozen women with children.Maybe more, depending on the room sizes.
“Here we are,” Violet said, pulling into a spot markedStaff.“New Beginnings Women’s Resource Center.We usually just call it Haven.Though we don’t advertise for safety reasons, we have a few good friends in the local and semi local justice system.They send us women they believe we can help, usually ones with exceptionally nasty abusers.”
I couldn’t help the snort of derision.“Exceptionally nasty abusers,” I echoed softly.“Pretty much sums up the situation.”
We all exited the vehicle and followed Violet through double doors into a small lobby where a woman sat behind a reception desk protected by thick glass.She nodded at Violet, then buzzed us through a second set of doors.I watched Violet enter a code on a keypad.
“Have you eaten?”Violet asked, her voice cutting through the fog in my mind.“There’s dinner at six-thirty, but I can have someone bring you something to your suite if you like.I know you’ll all want to clean up and rest.”
The thought of food made my stomach lurch.When had the girls last eaten?The vending machine at the bus transfer station, hours ago.A bag of chips split two ways and bottled water that the girls had sipped sparingly, making them last.
“We’re fine,” I said, my voice sounding strange to my own ears.Raspy.Distant.Anyone could tell I wasn’t fine but there didn’t seem to be anything I could do to fully engage.I was crashing.Hard.
“Mom’s tired,” Zelda said, her voice sharp with warning.Protective.Always protecting me when it should have been the other way around.
“Of course,” Violet said, her smile kind and a little sad.“It’s a lot, I know.Zelda?”I hadn’t formally introduced the girls, but I was pretty sure the lawyer lady who’d gotten me into this place had given her a profile of sorts.It didn’t surprise me Violet knew our names.When my daughter nodded, Violet smiled.“We’ll get you settled, and you all can rest.I’ll bring you a hot meal.
“Everyone who works here has an ID badge,” Violet explained, tapping the plastic card clipped to her shirt.“All external doors are locked at all times, and the residents’ wing has separate security.No one gets in without proper clearance.”
The hallway opened into a common area with worn but clean furniture, a television mounted to one wall, and several doorways leading to other parts of the building.Signs pointed to a kitchen, classrooms, and a wing labeled “Residential.”Overall, it seemed like the common room took up maybe a quarter of the ground floor.
“I’ll show you to your room,” Violet said, guiding us toward a lift just off the main area.“I got you guys a three-bedroom ready for you so the girls could have their own rooms.”She continued to give me the rundown as we walked.“We got two full-size beds, two dressers, and two desks with a chair in their bedrooms and there’s still plenty of room for anything else you need.The master bedroom has a king bed, as well as a couple of dressers and a workspace like in the other bedrooms.”
“I’m sure it will be perfect.”I thought my words might be slurring and I faced Violet.“I think I’m crashing.”
“Oh, honey.”She put her arm around me as we stepped off the lift.Violet guided us a short way down the wide hall and swiped a key card to open the door and we all filed inside.Violet helped me to the couch in the center of the room in front of a large television.“Let me get you some water.”Violet hurried off.
Kira crawled up on the couch beside me, putting her thin arms around my neck.I pulled her onto my lap and hugged her tightly.Zelda fidgeted, seeming uncertain what to do as she watched Violet.The urge to break down was strong, but I held everything in.For now.
“I’m leaving a list of phone numbers on the table,” Violet said as she handed me a glass of water.“It’s basically a comprehensive list of people around the compound here and at the club you can call if you need anything.Me, Hannah, and Pippa are the main three, but all the women listed are more than happy to come to you at any time.If you have a security issue, call Knight and he will get someone on the way immediately.”She sat on the coffee table in front of me.“It’s a lot to take in,” she said quietly.“I’m throwing a lot at you, and I know you’re not in the frame of mind to remember anything and that’s OK.Me and the girls will be checking on you tomorrow.I’ve got you guys some supper on the way, and I’ll bring breakfast in the morning.Just get through the night knowing you and your daughters are safe.We’ve all got your back, and this place is like a fortress.”
“I’m sorry to be so much trouble,” I managed to get out.“Just… keep my girls safe.”
“You’reallsafe.”Violet gave me a soft, kind smile.“Get some sleep.By the time they get here, every woman who comes to us is exhausted.Mostly from trying to sleep with one eye open all the time.”
“Thank you so much.”My voice broke on the last word, but I cleared my throat.“Thank you.”
“Get some rest.Food should be here in ten minutes.I’ll be back.In the meantime, get settled.Maybe take a hot shower to wash the journey away.If you don’t feel like eating, I’ll pack it up and put it in the fridge.Got a fully functional kitchen in here if you want to cook, but most prefer to eat in the dining room.So you can reheat it if you wake up hungry before breakfast.”She looked from me to the girls and back.“You’re safe here, Penny.All three of you.”
She gave me one more comforting smile before squeezing my hands briefly once again, then she left.As the door closed behind her, I looked at my daughters -- Zelda’s defiant stance, Kira’s watchful silence -- and wondered if any of us remembered what safety felt like, or if we’d recognize it when we found it.
* * *
It took us a couple of days, but the girls finally decided it was time to get out and explore our new temporary home.Just as she’d promised, Violet had brought the other women with her.They visited us each day and brought three meals a day as well as snacks and basic groceries.We’d all had a chance to sleep, bathe, and just… breathe.Now it was time for us to begin this journey.
The hallway smelled faintly of lemon cleaner and fresh laundry, scents so normal they seemed strange after the stale cigarette stink of the bus.I perched on the edge of a donated couch in what they called the “common room,” watching Zelda and Kira case the place.
Violet appeared from around a corner, her red hair caught up in a messy ponytail.“Penny, girls, this is my son Caleb,” Violet said, her hand resting lightly on the boy’s shoulder.“He sometimes comes by after school when I’m working late.He’s only ever in the front TV area so he’s available if anyone needs him to run errands.”
