“That’s probably not a bad idea. I’ll have to discuss this with Ethan’s parents.” Agent Williams turns to Agent Parker and says, “Let’s try to kill two birds with one stone. I want to catch Agent X if we can. We’ll say we’ve got an informant who knows Thomas and is willing to turn against him. Let’s see if any of them take the bait.”
“How will you know which one it is, sir?” Agent Parker asks.
“I’ll run the order for three safe house locations through the normal channels, but make sure each agent in question is told a specific yet different location of where our informant is being kept. If they check, they’ll see my name on the order. I’ve got some off-the-books guys who can watch these spots and they can let me know the minute someone shows up.”
She nods. “Yes, sir.”
This is moving so fast.
“What about Mom? Is she okay where she is?” I ask. A wave of longing washes through me, taking me by surprise. How can I still be so mad at her and want to throw my arms around her at the same time?
Dad’s face drops and Teeny bites her bottom lip.
“Richard,” Agent Williams says to Dad, “this is your call. I don’t have any reason to believe she’s in danger, but if you want to move her, I can see about moving her.”
“I want her kept safe, but sheneedsto stay where she is. Moving her will ruin all the progress she’s made. When this is over, my wife will be coming home. Healthy.” We’re all shocked by the passion in Dad’s voice. “Surely, you’ve got some extra ‘off-the-books’ guys to watch her. Keep her safe but don’t tell her what’s going on. This would destroy her.”
Agent Williams nods and says, “I’ll notify the hospital and have one of my guys inside at all times.”
Teeny breaks for a second then pulls herself together. She’s struggling to be strong. “Can I talk to Mom before we leave?” she asks.
Dad nods. “I think that’s a good idea. We’llallcheck on her.”
All means me. I haven’t spoken to Mom since she entered rehab, but I think I would never forgive myself if I didn’t speak to her now.
For privacy, we go to Dad’s room to make the call. It’s hard for me to be in his room because it is so clearly his and not theirs. The bedding doesn’t match the drapes and there are no pictures on the wall or dresser. Even at the beginning of our time in protection, Mom always took special care with her room. It’s so obvious Mom has never set foot in this house or slept in that bed. We moved here after she went to rehab and there’s not a trace of her anywhere. That makes her absence that much stronger.
It takes a few minutes to get her on the phone.
“Hi, honey! How are you?” Dad’s voice sounds too animated and if she is truly getting better, she will pick up on that in a second.
“I know, we just wanted to talk to you. How are you?”
He’s silent for a few moments and I get nervous about my turn.
When Dad tells her bye, he holds the phone out to Teeny and she jumps at the chance to talk to her.
“Hey, Mama!”
Teeny rattles on, talking about school and her friends and every little detail of her life before the disastrous turn a few days ago. And she makes it sound so easy.
I stare at the receiver when Teeny holds it in front of me. It takes a second or two before I reach for it.
Bringing it to my ear, I don’t say anything at first, just listen to the hum of the distance between us.
“Anna, are you there?” She sounds anxious.
“Yes, Mom. I’m here.”
“Oh, sweetie! It’s so good to hear your voice! I’ve missed you so much! How are you? Please, tell me everything that’s been going on.”
Her voice is so clear and she sounds so happy to be talking to me. I don’t realize tears are streaming down my face until they start dripping off my chin. Dad ushers Teeny out of the room and shuts the door. I curl up on Dad’s bed, the phone cradled against my ear.
“I’m good. I’ve made some really nice friends and I’m doing well in school. Ethan and I are still together.”
She sniffles and I know she’s crying, too. “Oh, sweetheart. I’m so sorry about everything. I’m sorry that I was drunk all the time. I’m sorry you were the one who had to make sure we had food. I’m so sorry you had to see me like you did. No child should ever have to do what you did for me.”
Mom sobs softly in the phone.
