So I do what I think is best.
“Babe… I didn’t want to worry you but… and I know how you feel but I want to be honest with you,” I start.
Gabby just looks up at me with her pretty hazel eyes. Eyes that ring true, beautifully contrasted by her dark brown skin.
“Sarah is having some trouble. I think she’s in danger.”
“Why doesn’t she call the cops?”
“Because it’s probably something that will get her in more trouble.”
“And you think it’s a good idea to get involved because?” she asks wearily, and I can tell there’s a bit of fear there.
“I’ll be okay. But she needs someone to pick her up.”
As soon as Gabby rolls her eyes, I can tell this is going to be an issue. I should have just left as soon as possible instead of asking Sarah a bunch of questions.
“And you’re the only person on the entire planet that she can call?”
“I kind of look out for her, I mean…”
“It’s Sunday.”
“Babe… if you were in that situation and there was nobody available, I would want you to call who you trust. She’s probably calling me because she knows that I’m tall and imposing, like you said.”
Gabby just looks at me, and my phone rings again, pulling my attention.
“Sarah?” I say, trying my best to put on a more formal voice than I usually have with her.
“Yeah, I’m walking down the block away. He keeps threatening me and I’m scared.”
“Is he following you?” I ask her, getting my shoes on and gesturing to Gabby to do the same.
Rolling her eyes, Gabby runs back up the stairs to get herself ready.
“I don’t think so,” Sarah says, the wind against the receiver of her phone. “I’m sending you the location.”
“Okay. I’ll be there,” I say.
I feel like I’m on a mission, and after about five minutes of me calling Gabby to hurry up, we both get in my car and head ten minutes away to where I see Sarah standing by the side of the road.
Gabby’s in the passenger seat and remains there as I get out of the car.
It was quite merciful that my wife didn’t give me an earful on the way here, aside from the trivial questions like what street it was on and what was going on. I only told her what I knew.
As I get out, looking around, the sun bright in our faces, Sarah surprises me by throwing her arms around me and crying.
I look over my shoulder, surprised, my wife glaring at me. Jesus Christ. I hug Sarah but only for a short while. Ordinarily I would hug her longer in a situation like this, you know, since a woman is in distress.
But for the sake of my wife watching, I let her go and hold her shoulders, leaning down to look at her.
“Where is your ex?”
“He’s back at the house down there in the white one,” she says, pointing.
“Okay, come on. My wife is in the car,” I say loudly enough so Gabby can hear.
I don’t know why I do that. Maybe it’s because there’s a little bit of fear that Sarah is going to say something inappropriate.
