When I’m finally in the back of the ambulance, and the kids can’t see me, I begin to sob freely.Of all the times Matt beat me growing up while trying to protect my mom, it was never in public, and there weren’t any threats of death.
“Ma’am, do you feel up to answering some questions?”I don’t know how many officers arrived, but it’s enough that we’re all getting an escort to the hospital, I suppose.
“Sure,” I croak out, and Mayra hands me a bottle of water as she cleans my side.
“Do you know the man who assaulted you and your children?”Officer…Grant, his name tag says, pulls out a pen and pad for notes.
“Yes, he’s my stepdad.My kids' father.”Grant looks up at that, eyes wide, obviously assuming the worst.“They’re my siblings.My mom died during childbirth, and Matt had been abusive for years before, sending my mom into early labor.We have a protection order against him.”
“Do you know when it expires?”He glances up again.
“It’s supposed to be for the rest of his life.”That’s how my lawyer explained it to me when it was put into place.
He nods, writes more, and speaks into his walkie-talkie, relaying the information and asking for the court records to be made available.“Did he touch the children?”
“I don’t think so.He shoved me into the shelf and was going to reach for Emma in the cart when I grabbed him.Then that man yelled at him, and I think it startled him.I don’t believe he was able to touch Emma, but I can’t be totally certain.”I wish I could.
“That’s alright.The store has confirmed that they’ll provide any available footage from before and during the altercation.Is there anything else you can think of to tell me that will help keep him behind bars for as long as possible?”
“It could be nothing,” I hedge.
“Everything can help,” he encourages.
“We went to the park this afternoon, and we were there for a few hours, but from the moment we left our building until we got home, I felt like someone was watching us.And then had the same feeling before we left to go shopping.I didn’t see anything off, so I just chalked it up to some weird pregnancy thing.”I feel slightly foolish explaining myself.
“Listen, Noa, I’ve been on the job a long time.Dealt with situations similar to this one too many times to count.You listen to that intuition because it could be the difference between life and death.When those hairs on the back of your neck stand up, there’s a reason.Never feel like you're overreacting or being dramatic.Many cops will tell you the same.”His intensity makes me feel slightly better.
“Thank you.I’ll keep that in mind.”The ambulance comes to a stop, and Officer Grant slides his card into the side of my purse with instructions to call him anytime if we’re ever in trouble or I have questions about our case.
After thanking him, the doors open, and the stretcher I’m on is pulled out as Mayra explains my injuries and her thoughts.My face is killing me, my side stings, but the baby is moving, and I’m relieved that we’re safe now.
Before the kids are allowed in to see me, I’m given a gown to change into, examined from head to toe, and placed on monitors for myself and the baby.Things look fine so far, but they want to keep me overnight for observation.Thankfully, they put me in a private room so the kids can stay, and I won’t have to find someone to watch them for the night.
“Knock, knock.”The officer who brought my siblings here opens the door an inch.“Ready for visitors?”My head nods before she’s done.
As soon as the door slides in all the way, all three come rushing over.Joey helps the girls up onto the bed, where they lie next to me while he jumps up behind Emma.
“I’m okay, guys.We’re all okay,” I try to reassure them, though it comes out flat because emotionally, I’m a damn wreck.
“They’ve eaten, hydrated, and I ordered some meals to be brought up in a little while for all four of you.They’re darling children.”She smiles at them all holding onto me for dear life.
“Thank you so much for taking care of them for me,” I reply.“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”
She steps forward, placing a bag on the tray and squeezing my foot.“You don’t have to.The thing about my job is that I love helping wherever and whenever possible.If I can make someone’s bad day just a little easier, then I’m happy to do it.”
She leaves soon after, but not before sliding her card into my purse as well.
Today started so well, then turned terrible, and now I’m so filled with gratitude for our first responders.Never in my life have so many people taken such great care of me and expected nothing in return.
As the night grows quiet, Joey and Kylie settle into the cot that was brought in for them, while Emma stays in bed with me, and I’m left with my thoughts about how we’ll move forward from here.Matt knows where we live, and when he gets out, he’ll come for us.I feel it in my soul.Which circles my thoughts back to Carmine.He was pretty adamant that there was no future for us, and he’ll likely turn us away anyway because he has no idea about my kids, but he might be our only option.
CHAPTER5
Carmine
“Becky?”I enter the kitchen to find Dylan nowhere in sight, which is a relief; the man has gotten on my last nerve this week.
“Yes, sir.”Sighing, she smirks.“Carmine,” she mocks me as she continues sautéing whatever she’s cooking.Becky has a wonderful habit of meal prepping, and given how many nights I eat alone, it’s appreciated.“What can I do for you?”
