His hand tightened on her hair and pulled her face close to his – too close to read his lips or understand anything that he was saying. Spit flecked her face as he continued to shout and rage.
Her scalp burned, but the fear was so much worse. And, even deeper than fear, the humiliation. What had she done to deserve this? How had they gotten here?
How had she let things get to this point?
Knowing that Mia was witnessing the whole ordeal shredded her soul.
Chris released her so suddenly that she fell back against the table. Mia wrapped her arms around Laurie’s legs, and she felt her daughter’s body shaking with sobs.
“Please.” Laurie’s throat felt ragged. Her cheeks were wet with tears, even though she couldn’t remember crying. “You’re scaring her.”
She caught a flash of horror in her husband’s eyes before he turned and left the room.
Laurie collapsed to the kitchen floor and pulled Mia into her lap.
Her little girl sobbed and sobbed, her body wracked with tears.
“It’s okay,” Laurie murmured, rocking her back and forth. “I’m here. It’s okay.”
She had no idea how long they sat there together on the cold kitchen tile. Eventually, Mia’s sobs quieted. Laurie reached up to grab a napkin from the table and used it to dry their faces.
When she tried to stand, Mia’s grip tightened again in a sudden panic.
“I need to stand up,” she told her daughter, hoping that her voice was calm. “You can hold my hand.”
Together, they tiptoed through the house and peered out the living room window.
The van was gone.
Laurie slumped with relief.
Mia tapped her shoulder, and she looked down at her.
“Why was he so mad?” she asked, brown eyes wide behind her glasses. She signed the question one-handed, refusing to let go of Laurie with her other hand.
Laurie didn’t have an answer for her.
Don’t know,she signed haltingly.Sorry.
Suddenly, Mia’s expression was angry.
“What areyousorry for?” she demanded. “Youdidn’t do anything!”
Laurie nodded in acknowledgement, but her daughter’s words did nothing to shift the guilt that she carried.
How did we get here?she wondered for the upteenth time.Where did I go wrong?
She walked into the master bedroom with Mia still clinging to her. Once there, she opened her laptop and messaged the three sisters who were still in Hawaii.
We need someone to come get us. ASAP.
Laurie!Anne was the first to reply.We’ve been trying to get a hold of you. What’s going on? Are you okay??
No, she responded. It was all she could manage, that small admission.
I’m on my way,said Halia.
No,Oakley texted.I’m closer. Trent’s home with the girls. I’m leaving now.
