CHAPTER 25
Naomi’s fingerhovered over the screen for half a second before she pressed Accept.
“This is a collect call from an inmate at—” The automated voice cut off as she hit the button to accept the charges.
A beat of silence passed before a shaky voice spoke on the other end of the line. “Naomi?”
Sissy’s voice sounded raw, as if she’d been crying.
“I’m here.” Naomi moved toward the hallway, needing space for this conversation.
“My baby—” Sissy’s voice broke. “Is she okay? Please, tell me she’s okay.”
“She’s fine, Sissy. She’s . . . perfect.” Naomi glanced back toward the living room where Grace slept peacefully in her carrier. “She just had a checkup today. The doctor said she’s healthy. Gaining weight. Everything’s good.”
A sob came through the line, relief mixed with something deeper, most likely grief.
Naomi closed her eyes. She wished this were a video call. Wished she could turn the phone around and show Sissy the image of her daughter sleeping, safe, and cared for. But jail calls didn’t work that way.
“I’ve been so worried,” Sissy whispered. “Every night I just—I can’t stop thinking about her. Wondering if she’s eating. If she’s crying. If she knows I didn’t want to leave her.”
Naomi’s chest tightened. “She’s okay. I promise.”
There was a pause. Then Sissy’s voice came back. “Do you think . . . do you think you could maybe bring her to see me? I know it’s a lot to ask, but I just—I need to see her. Even for a few minutes.”
Naomi froze.
A jail visit. With a newborn.
The thought sent a cold wave through her.
“I don’t know all the rules for that,” Naomi told her. “But I can look into it.”
“Please.” Sissy’s voice cracked again. “Please, Naomi. I miss her so much. I just—thank you. Thank you for doing this. For taking care of her when no one else would.”
“Of course,” Naomi said, though the words felt inadequate.
She wanted to ask more. Wanted to know what Sissy was facing, what the timeline looked like, what happened next. But she wasn’t sure how much Sissy could—or would—say over a monitored jail line.
“Any updates?” Naomi asked. “On your case?”
“I have a lawyer.” Sissy’s voice steadied slightly, like she was grasping for something solid. “A public defender. He says we’re going to fight the charges. He thinks we have a chance.”
“That’s good.” She paused before asking. “I’m surprised Richard didn’t hire anyone for you.”
He might be in prison, but his family had money.
She shook her head. “I haven’t told him I’m in jail.”
It sounded like Sissy didn’t know that Richard knew anyway.
Naomi didn’t bring it up.
“I’m going to get out soon,” Sissy continued. “I know I will. Then I can come get her. I can?—”
She stopped.
Naomi wondered if Sissy really believed that or if she was just saying it because she needed to. Because the alternative was too unbearable to consider.
