“Okay.”
“Rose, what happened?” Worry laces his tone.
I sniffle, not knowing what to say to him.
“I’m coming for you,” he assures me.
“Okay,” I murmur.
“Keep talking.”
I wipe my nose with the back of my sleeve. “I can’t. I’m using Nadina’s phone.”
“Who is she?”
“My neighbor. You talked to her once.”
“The old woman?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll pay her bill. Don’t worry about it. Just keep talking to me.”
“Okay.”
“How did you end up at her house?”
Tears roll down like a stream. “My mother… uh… she kicked me out.”
“What?” He raises his tone.
“She screamed at me to get out. I told her I don’t have anywhere to go but she didn’t listen.”
“And now you’re at that woman’s house.”
“Yes. She saw me in the driveway and offered to let me wait here until you come.”
“I’m three minutes away.”
“I’m sorry for calling you this late for something like this, but I didn’t know who else to call.” I explain to him, feeling so helpless. “I don’t have anywhere to go?—”
“Rose,” his voice is stern. “I’m fucking glad you called me.”
“Are you sure?—”
“I am.”
“Okay.”
“And you’re wrong. I’m your place. You can always come to me.”
I hold the phone tightly in my hands. Relief overcomes my nerves and I relax a little after hearing those words.
Looking over my shoulder, I see Nadina looking through her phone book. If she is eavesdropping, she doesn’t let it show on her face.
“I’m outside,” he says.
I quickly end the call and fling open the front door. My heart beating so fast.
