Shortly after six o’clock, there’s a knock on my door.
“Viola,” Lavinia calls from the other side.
“Come in.” I sit up and stretch my back to release the tension that has collected there since I saw my husband being arrested.
Lavinia walks in with a glass of juice and gives it to me before sitting on the bed. “I’m heading out for a few minutes. There are some ingredients I forgot. Is there anything you need from the store?”
“No, thanks.” I get to my feet and approach my purse, which sits on the armchair.
I rummage inside it for my wallet while Lavinia watches me.
“Please, take this.” I pull out four ten-dollar bills and press them into her hand.
“What’s this for?” She frowns.
“A small contribution toward groceries. I can give you more after I go to the bank.” I wring my hands. “I can’t live here completely free. Maybe one day I’ll be able to repay you for your kindness, but right now I don’t have much.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You owe me nothing.”
She pushes the money back into my hand and I wrap my fingers around it. I want to beg her to take it back, but I have no idea what the future holds. We need to safeguard every cent we’ve got.
I told Lavinia that I’ll only be staying with them for one night, and tomorrow I’ll check into a hotel. She refused, but I insisted.
“If you need anything, Jeffrey is in his office. I’m taking Jenna with me. She’s been quite cranky lately. I might pass by the pediatrician.”
“Okay. If you need help with her, I’m here.”
“I know you are,” she says. “But I want you to rest. See you soon.”
I flinch as the door clicks shut. For a moment, it reminds me of the sound prison bars must make when closing, the sounds Alex is listening to right now. I almost feel as though I’m locked up with him.
Five minutes later, I’m standing by the window watching Lavinia pulling out of the driveway and into the street. Not long after, there’s a knock on the guest room door again.
My stomach clenches as I open it and come face to face with Jeffrey. There’s no hint of a smile on his lips.
“Can we have a quick word?” he asks, shoving his hands into his pockets.
“Yes, of course.”
He walks off and I follow him to the living room downstairs. Sensing what’s coming, I shrivel up inside.
We sit on opposite ends of the couch and I try to remember how he used to look when he smiled and laughed. He’s acting like a completely different person from the man I know, but I can’t say I blame him. But I’m also hurt that he’s not standing by his friend during these hard times.
The silence is so uncomfortable I decide to be the first to break it.
“I really appreciate your help, Jeffrey. Thank you for letting me stay in your home. I promise it won’t be for long.”
“I’m sorry, you got the wrong idea.” He stands up and walks to the window, staring out. “My wife…she loves taking care of people. She likes to give people the benefit of the doubt. I’m a little different.”
He has said everything I need to know. He believes Alex is guilty.
“She tried to convince me that you’ll be no trouble, but we have a baby in the house. If anyone sees you here…” He swivels around and looks at me, his eyes a shade darker. “I don’t know the extent to which people will go to get revenge, but I don’t want my family to be in danger.”
I force myself to speak, but words fail me.
“You have to understand, Viola. Alex raped and killed an innocent girl. He—”
“It hasn’t been proven, Jeffrey. He’s innocent. And he’s your friend.”
