It's why I'm taking her to work this morning in my truck, instead of riding to the garage on my bike.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" I ask her as we drive toward Laurel Springs High.
"I think so," she says softly as she plays with a piece of thread on her pants. "A part of me wonders if I should've gone to the classroom last night so I would see how I would react. The other part of me knows if I had done that, I would be chickening out right now."
"You know we can still make a run for it, right? Just turn this fuckin' truck south and head for the Gulf of Mexico. We can spend our day on the beach and swim in the ocean."
She giggles. "I appreciate that, Dime. I do."
"I'd do anything for you. I hope you realize that."
She reaches over and takes my hand, lacing our fingers together. "I do realize that. It's one of the things I love most about you."
The word' still sends a jolt through me every time she says it..
"I love you too," I tell her, bringing her hand up to my lips and pressing a kiss to her knuckles.
She's quiet for the rest of the drive, and I can feel the tension building in her body the closer we get to the school. By the time I pull into the parking lot, her hand is gripping mine so tight I'm pretty sure I'm losing circulation.
"Hey," I say gently, putting the truck in park. "Look at me."
She does, and I can see the fear in her eyes. It guts me, seeing her like this. This strong, beautiful woman who's been through so much, reduced to being scared of her own workplace.
"You don't have to do this today. You can take more time."
"No." She shakes her head. "I need to do this. If I don't go back now, I might never go back, and I love teaching too much to let that happen."
"Okay. But if at any point you need to leave, you call me. I don't care what I'm doing, I'll come get you."
"I will. I promise."
We get out of the truck, and I walk her to the front entrance. That's when I see them. Chief Harrison and Principal Harrison, both waiting by the front doors. Chief catches my eye, and I give him a subtle nod.
Principal Harrison smiles when she sees Allison. "Good morning. Are you ready for this?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," Allison says, but her voice is steadier than it was in the truck. Just like I knew she would, she's firming up her bottom lip and she's showing everyone how strong she is.
I turn to her, cupping her face in my hands. "You've got this, baby. You're the strongest person I know."
"Thank you for bringing me." She goes up on her toes and kisses me, soft and sweet, right there in front of both Harrisons.
When she pulls back, I look over at Chief Harrison. Our eyes meet, and a whole conversation happens in that single look. He knows what I'm asking without me having to say it.
"We'll take care of her," he says out loud.
"You better." My voice is low, carrying a warning that only he can fully understand. "Because if anything happens to her while she's here…"
"Nothing's going to happen." His tone is firm, reassuring. "I've got extra officers patrolling the area today, and Rina has already briefed the staff. Allison's safe here."
I want to argue, want to say that nowhere is safe when the Rebels are still out there, when we don't know the full extent of the Clark family's involvement. But I also know that Allison needs this. She needs to reclaim this part of her life.
"Okay." I give Allison one more kiss. "I'll pick you up this afternoon."
"I can get a ride…"
"Let me do this," I interrupt. "Please."
She must see how much I want to do this in my face because she nods. "Okay. This afternoon."
