“You know Samuel?” I ask. “Well, I-I found him…” My voice cracks. “I… found him in my bedroom.”
She studies me with wide eyes. “No way.”
“He had rope. He was trying to tie me up.”
She reaches for her phone, presses 9-1-1, and hands it to me.
My voice is shaky, uneven, as I attempt to communicate with the officer. Thankfully, her voice is very soothing and she manages to calm me, and I finally tell her what’s going on. Officers and paramedics are sent immediately. I insist that I’m fine, that I do not need a paramedic, but she says it’s protocol.
I try to soothe Ethan who’s as upset as I am. He’s confused and scared. I realize that he probably did not see Samuel at all. He most likely just heard the screaming and the commotion.
I carry him to Abby’s sofa and wrap my arms around him. “Everything is okay,” I tell him. “Mommy just had a really bad dream. Everything’s okay now.”
Abigail gives us chocolate milk in an attempt to calm us down. Shortly after, officers show up to take my statement. I’m told that the perpetrator has fled. “Well, he won’t be able to go too far,” I tell them. “I know where he lives.”
A paramedic checks me out. He attends to my bruised eye and tapes up a cut on my forehead. No stitches needed thankfully.
It’s hours later when everyone finally leaves. Ethan is sound asleep in Abigail’s guest room.
“Hey, where’s Abe?” I ask, just noticing his absence.
She smiles. “Work trip.”
“Oh,” I say. “Can we sleep over?”
She reaches out and hugs me tight. “Of course you can. I insist.”
* * *
I’m quitethe sight when I show up at work the next day. Thankfully, Ethan is at daycare. I don’t know if I can leave him in that apartment. I’m still so scared.
“What in the heavens happened to you?” Rosetta asks as soon as I enter our office.
“You won’t believe it.”
She takes my hand and sits me down on my desk chair, like a teacher might do with a small child. “Tell me everything.”
I tell her all about Samuel and the ensuing nightmare. She listens intently with wide eyes and parted lips.
“We need to tell Boss Man about this.”
“I know. I don’t want to.”
She takes my hand and I follow her to Weston’s office. He’s hunched over a bunch of papers, busy working. He raises his gaze, and his face falls as soon as he sees me. He bounces from his chair and lunges in my direction. “Grasshopper… what happened to you?”
We all settle in the sitting area, Weston and I on the loveseat, and Rosetta in the armchair. I repeat the whole story for what seems like the thousandth time.
All the while, Weston cannot believe his ears. He’s appalled, horrified, and worried as hell. He takes me in his arms. “I’ll protect you. I promise.”
I glance over at Rosetta who studies us with a raised brow. Weston won’t let go. He’s not the most affectionate man, more of a hand shaker than a hugger. But right now, I’m held captive in his arms. And despite Rosetta’s curiosity, I kind of like it. I feel protected in his arms. I feel loved. Precious even.
I’m jittery all day, not quite able to focus on my work. The authorities contact me. Apparently, Samuel’s been apprehended, and I’ll need to go to the station.
I’m relieved to know he’s not on the streets, free to break into my place again. This has really shaken me, more than I could have possibly imagined.
Weston takes me to the station and we’re there for hours, giving another statement. He’s extremely patient and helpful, and I’m very thankful.
Samuel is charged with breaking and entering and assault. And a restraining order has been filed. Yet, I still feel unsettled.
