No, I have to head out on my own. Just Tucker and me. I have to keep him safe.
I breathe in his scent, my nose in his hair. He smells of kid’s shampoo. My baby boy. He’s getting big, and in the fall, I’ll need to enroll him in kindergarten. I need to be settled by then.
That gives me a couple of months to find a place, hopefully one we’ll stay in for a long time.
San Jose. It would be nice to see the ocean. California is as good a place as any. I grab my phone and start researching the San Jose area.
They’ve got one strip club calledSonny’s Gentleman’s Club.
Maybe I can get a job there. I’ll need the kind of money that only dancing pays, because after searching apartments, I realize that it's much more expensive than I imagined.
I decide to listen to my dream and go with it. If it doesn’t work out, I can always move on.
In the morning, after Jared goes to work, I’ll leave him a note and slip away. Now that I have a plan, I close my eyes and drift off.
When I hear Jared’s car pull out at sunrise, I wait until his wife goes back to bed, then creep downstairs and leave my note propped on the table.
Jared,
Tell Mom and Dad I love them. And Abby, too.
I’m sorry to leave, but I have to do what’s best for Tucker.
When we get settled somewhere safe, I’ll contact you.
Thank you for everything.
I love you all so much,
Heather
I dash a tear, gather our bags and lead Tucker out to the garage. Ten minutes later, I’m on the interstate heading west.
Part of me is terrified, and part of me is excited to start a new chapter.
It’s all going to be fine. You’ll love it in California. Tucker will love it. We’ll be happy and safe.
I repeat it all in my head like a mantra.
CHAPTER FIVE
Heather—
Two days later, Tucker and I make it to San Jose. I turn in at a motel I researched at our last stop. It’s basic with just two levels that surround a pool. The only thing I don’t like is that the doors open to the outside rather than an interior hallway, but it’s in the lower price range and has decent ratings.
I pull under the covered portico, and Tucker and I go inside. I get a room, and Tucker and I make our way to room 253 on the second floor.
There’s one bed, a mini fridge, a microwave, and a table with two chairs.
Tucker is happy as long as there’s a tv. He also likes the fact that our room overlooks the pool.
On the way in, I pulled through a fast-food drive-thru and got us some burgers. Tucker is excited with his kid’s meal and superhero toy.
I put cartoons on for him, then text my brother that we’re safe in San Jose. My phone immediately buzzes with an incoming video call from him.
“I needed to see your face,” he says when I pick up. Tucker and I both get on the call, and it puts my brother at ease.
“Hi Uncle Jared.” Tucker takes the phone from me.
