She could see that the message had been delivered and read.
A full minute passed before she saw the dancing bubbles that indicated her neighbor was replying.
Of course.
Relief flooded her system.She had no plan B or money for a hotel.Their small nest egg was long gone, their credit cards maxed out, and the unemployment money had already been depleted for this month.
“We can go next door,” Isla told Officer Samuelson.
“I’ll help you move the children.”
Two other officers cleared a path through the glass disaster to the door.One of them took Theo while Samuelson had Mila.Isla followed them, carrying their belongings and keeping her eyes on the door.She didn’t want to see the destruction of the home she’d lovingly created for her family.
She’d have to come back at some point to get the rest of the things that could be salvaged, but for now, she couldn’t bear to look at what he’d done to their home.
Mrs.Ventura waited for them in the doorway to her apartment, stepping aside so the officers could carry the children inside.“Take them to the second bedroom on the right,” she said.“The bed is ready for them.”
“Thank you so much,” Isla said to her.
“I hope this’ll be the end of the road with him before he kills you or the children.”
“You know I would’ve left a long time ago if I could’ve afforded it.”
“I’m sorry.I’m not judging you.I swear.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you were.I’m judging myself.”
Mrs.V put an arm around her and guided her into the apartment.
Officer Samuelson asked for Isla’s contact info and promised to let her know when she could return to the apartment.Then he handed her his card.“Please call me if you need anything at all.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
After he left, Mrs.Ventura put a pillow, sheet and blanket on the sofa.
“Could I please check on the kids?”
“Of course.You know the way.”She’d set up a cute little room for them to nap when they stayed with her on the rare occasions when Isla needed a sitter.
Isla found the kids still sound asleep and cuddled up to each other.She sat on the edge of the mattress and ran her fingers through their soft blond hair as tears slid down her cheeks.“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.“You guys deserve so much better than this.Somehow, I’m going to fix it.If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to make this right for you.”
She kissed them both, adjusted the covers, put the light on inside the closet and walked out of the room, leaving the door open so she’d hear them if they woke up.
Thank God they’d slept through the worst of it.
“Do you have everything you need?”Mrs.V asked.
Not even close.“Yes, thank you again for putting us up.”
“I hope you can get some rest, honey.”
Not at all likely.She hugged her friend.“Thank you for everything.I know it wasn’t easy for you to call the police.”
“I came home about forty minutes ago and couldn’t figure out what I was hearing until I heard him screaming for you.And then when you didn’t answer my texts, I thought…”
Isla hugged her again.“I’m so sorry.We were hiding, and I didn’t see the texts.”
“I can’t believe you had a hiding place right in the apartment.”
