“I might ask my mom if we can stay with her for a few days. Although, I don’t want to put her in danger either.” She tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’ll let Kenneth and Rudy know so they can be watchful. I’ll keep the deadbolt locked. What else can I do?”
“Look, I’m sorry about the things I said the other day. I was an asshole, and you have every right to be mad. No matter what I think of your mechanisms, it’s not my place to judge you.”
“Okay.” Without a resolution to her thoughts about it, she wasn’t ready to comment. Or forgive him. But his apology was a start.
“I have a suggestion,” he said. At her raised eyebrow, he continued. “I’m between shifts, moving from days to swings, so my company is off for a week. My brother has a cabin upstate. I’ve already asked, and he says we’re welcome to stay there. It’s remote. There’s snow and games and stuff to keep Cal entertained. What do you think about going up there?”
“I don’t know. That’s a really nice offer, but it seems like a big imposition.”
“It’s not. I know you and I are in a weird place right now, but for your safety and Cal’s, you should consider it. It doesn’t have to have anything to do with our relationship. Or lack of one.”
“Is there Internet and cell coverage? I’ve got a lot going on with work.”
“Yes. It has everything. Mitch had it cleaned and stocked for the winter. He and his wife have already been up there this year, so we’ll just have to buy perishables. Well, I doubt they have your fancy sugar-that’s-not-really sugar stuff either. Only normal food.”
She chuckled.
“Fine,” she said. “Calvin will love it, and it doesn’t matter if he misses preschool. It’s as good a plan as any.”
Julia packed two small suitcases. Hers full of work stuff, Calvin’s stuffed with hats, gloves, an extra coat, and boots. He was bouncing off the walls with excitement to play in the snow.
Alex ran to his place to pack a bag, and within the hour, they were ready. On the way out, they stopped to talk to Rudy.
“Julia has been getting some nasty threats,” Alex explained to the doorman. “I’m taking them upstate until the police figure out who’s behind them.”
“I was hoping you and Kenneth could keep an eye out for anything or anyone suspicious,” Julia added.
“That’s terrible,” Rudy said. “Yes, of course, we’ll keep watch. Do you want to leave contact information in case we need to reach you?”
“You have our cell numbers. Just call,” Alex said.
“Will do. You guys take care,” he said, just as Kenneth came around the corner. “Oh, here’s Kenneth now. I’ll fill him in.”
Julia and Calvin waited in the car at Mitch’s house while Alex ran in to get the key. Alex popped the hatchback and put something from his pocket in the back. Julia couldn’t tell what it was and didn’t ask.
The next stop was a grocery store in a town near the cabin. They grabbed milk, eggs, and bread, then made their way slowly, and in four-wheel drive, up to the cabin.
“Do you come here often?” Julia asked.
“Not really,” Alex said. “I’ve only been here a handful of times. The last time was with all my brothers. It was supposed to be a fishing trip, but all we did was play poker and drink beer.” He laughed.
Calvin was bouncing with excitement in the back seat. “Look at all the snow. And trees.”
“You never take this kid out of the city?” Alex asked Julia.
“Not that he would remember.”
“It’s like the park, only way bigger. Can I play in the snow when we get there, Mom?”
“We’ll see,” Julia said. “I’ve got to work today.”
“I can play by myself,” Calvin said.
“No,” Alex said. “I’ll come out with you. You shouldn’t be outside by yourself, okay?”
Calvin agreed, and Julia thanked him.
They arrived, and Julia got Calvin out of the SUV. The cabin was much bigger than she imagined and looked like something out of a magazine. Pristine new snow blanketed the roof and everything around it.
