Page 37 of Havoc
Chapter Nineteen
Chrissy
“How do we call this love
I tried, to run away but your eyes
Tell me to stay oh why
Why do we call this love” - Rixton
I need to work today and there is no way I can take one of the prospects with me. I have a home visit with the Deans and I’m hoping to clear them today and give them the good news that they don’t need me checking in on them regularly anymore.
The lockdown has been going on for almost a month now and this is the first time I’m going to cheat protocol. I have to though. I can’t take anyone with me to their house. Everyone is in church right now and as much as I know I shouldn’t, I’m calling an Uber and sneaking out. I’d take my car but the prospect at the gate won’t let me out without a babysitter. I’ve tried that already.
Grabbing my purse, I head out the back exit and look down the road to see my car waiting. Slipping in between the gap in the fences I break out into a slow jog.
Sorry Rock, I’ll be back soon.
I slip into the car and glance back, breathing a sigh of relief that no one saw me. The drive goes by quick although. I can’t help but wait for my phone to ring from a very pissed off biker.
Walking up to the house I’m a little upset that I won’t get to keep seeing this family. Most of the people I try to help are reluctant. Joe has always been gracious and grateful. The kids are sweet and always so happy to see me.
Amy opens the door. “Miss Chrissy is here, daddy!”
She leads me through the house for my walk through like she does every time. There isn’t a thing out of place. The kids are clean and seem happy. I walk into the living room where Joe is sitting. “Well I have some good news for you guys.”
They all sit down and look over at me.
“You have been doing so well during our visits, and there haven’t been any incidents. I am able to move you guys to yearly checkins instead of monthly.” I smile but no one else is.
“So that’s it?” Joe looks at me confused. “Just like that you ain’t comin’ back?”
“Well, it’s a good thing. It means that I feel like there isn’t any cause for worry anymore. I think you’ve done great with the kids, Joe. You don’t need me anymore.” I offer him a kind smile but he doesn’t return. I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and I know Rock must have realized I’m gone.
“So just like that you’re gonna walk out on us, Karen?” He stands up and red flags are starting to go off in my mind. Karen was his wife and the kids’ mother. She died in a car wreck. After the accident Joe had been drinking and there was a concern for the kids. He quickly got clean but they assigned me to the family. “I thought I had fixed this shit with you last time. You can’t just fucking walk out on us!” The kids flinch as he yells.
“Joe, I’m not Karen. I’m Chrissy Evanson, your case worker. Remember?” My phone vibrates again but I don’t make a move to grab it.
“You are the same as you were that day. Maybe we need to follow the same plan. Let’s go to the cabin.” He gets up and tosses a jacket to each of the kids. They look scared now and I’m trying to process exactly what’s going on but I can’t make sense of it.
“I said we’re going to the cabin, Karen.” He glares at me.
“Joe I’m not—”
“I said now!” He pulls a gun from his waistband and points it at me.
I freeze immediately flashing back to the incident with Mr. Cane and Sophia. Slowly I stand up and nod my head.
“Good girl.” He tucks the gun into his jacket pocket as we all walk out the door. There aren’t many neighbors out. It’s been cold and the forecast said it might rain today. “All of you get in the car right now.”
Everything inside of me is screaming not to get in the car but I see no way around it right now. I open the passenger door slowly sitting down. Looking into the backseat I whisper to the kids that it will be okay before Joe gets into the car.
I feel my phone vibrate again, this time I reach in my pocket sliding where I hoping the answer button would be. “Joe, where are you taking us?” I’m hoping I can get him to say enough that Rock can find me.
“I told you we’re gonna head to the cabin, but just like the last time you won’t make it there. Except now I think we’ll go with you.” His voice seems far off and I know at this point he’s having a breakdown.
“What do you mean Joe?” My voice is quiet.
“I mean this time instead of you leaving us here alone, we’ll all die together.”
My stomach drops at the finality of his voice.
Please be listening Rock.
I need you.
