“We’re going to get married the week after the Fourth of July and I’m moving to California. I’m going to live in that big house of yours with you so I can protect you.”
Her voice is hesitant and tinted with worry. “What about the farm?”
I shake my head, already imagining the hard conversation I’m going to have with my parents. “Your safety is more important. I’m going to stay there until that Bull Thistle is caught, or there are protections to guard youwhile I’m away.”
I hear a sniffle through the phone. I sit on the floor, my back against the cupboards, as my heart yearns to hold Holly and comfort her. When a woman cries, I can barely handle it. My sisters know how to manipulate me with their tears. But Holly's different. All I want to do is wrap her up in my arms and make all the bad things go away.
Moisture collects behind my eyes and I let it leak out.
Men cry. Reina, Holly’s sister-in-law and my best friend, who has a degree in psychology, has told me a million times that it’s healthy for men to cry. So, I’ve embraced it.
Holly sniffles on the other side of the phone while I let my tears flow down my cheeks.
I feel utterly useless being so far away from her.
"Holly, you need to hang up and call the police." It takes everything in me to say it, because I want to take away her fears, but that isn't going to help her.
I can hear the hesitation in her voice. "He hasn't gotten inside, and I set the alarm system on the house. I closed my blinds, and turned off all the lights in the house. I think he'll go away."
I shake my head even though she can't see me. "I'm glad you covered all your bases, but you need to call them."
"Okay. I'll call you back when it's over."
My heart is beating double time. "You're a brave woman, Holly. I'll stay up until you call."
"Thank you."
The phone call ends and I spend the next twenty minutes furiously cleaning my kitchen. After the sink is scrubbed, stove spotless, and counters organized and disinfected, my phone rings again.
"He was gone, but my security camera caught him. I gave the police the footage, but at this point they can't do anything because he left before they got here and he hasn't physically threatened me."
My blood boils. But at the same time I know nothing I personally am going to say is going to help the situation. But I know who can.
“Holly, can I say a prayer for you?” I ask.
Her voice is raspy as she whispers, “Please.”
I bow my head and let the words spill out from my soul. “Heavenly Father, please bless Holly to be safe, that her home might be protected, and she’ll feel your peace. She is one of your precious daughters. Please protect her for me. Please comfort her, and help guide us in how to handle this scary situation. In the name of thy son, Jesus Christ, amen.”
A quiet amen comes through the line. “Thank you, Mateo. I feel much better now. You really don’t need to uproot your life for me. I’m already taking away your singledom.”
I can’t help but smile as she references my singledom. Little does she know I’ve been praying for it to go away. “Holly, you’re my fiancée. It’s too late. You’ve already got my single card and you’ve shredded it. Let me do this for you, you stubbornly independent woman.”
Holly laughs, and the sound dries the tears in my eyes. She’ll be okay. She’ll make it through this.
Holly's voice is soft and feels like a hug. “Thank you, Mateo.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Well, I'm going to try and sleep. Thanks for answering my call.”
“Anytime, Holly. Buenas noches.”
"Night."
The call ends and I lean my head back against the cupboards and stare at the ceiling.
I am not sleeping tonight.
