Page 99 of This Love
Mom is bad.
Panic flashed over me, hot and furious. I had to get away. Now. Mother could be anywhere.
I jerked the shirt over my head, dragged on the underwear, and pulled on the jeans. Those were wildly loose, so I stuffed the bottom of my shirt in the waist to keep them from falling down.
When my shoes were on, I lifted the bag.
Below it was a big book.
When I read the front of it, sparks flew behind my eyes.
Trust only this handwriting.
This is the book.
Remember your life.
I compared to my arm.
This was it!
I flipped open to a random page and read a few lines.
* * *
Do not trust Mother.
I have to run away.
* * *
The book was telling me to run away!
I had to go. Now.
I shoved the book into the bag and put it on my shoulder.
Where was I going?
It didn’t matter. I had to go.
I eased the door open. A few people walked by. I waited. I realized my name was on the board. I rushed over and smeared it with my fist so the letters couldn’t be read. Mother could never know I was here.
I checked the hall. There was only one woman, and she was walking away.
I squeezed out the door and hurried away to find some place safe to read the rest of my book.
Chapter 39
Tucker
Baby Tad’s assessment was finally done. He’d stopped crying, totally spent from the effort of protesting his new predicament.
“Baby looks good.” The nurse patted Tad’s belly. “I’ll walk with you back to the room. You want to push?”
I nodded. I gripped the handle at the end of the clear bassinet, and we headed to the secure doors. I steeled myself for what I’d find when I got to our room. Would Ava be back? Awake? Would they have to strap her down again? Would she be screaming?
Maybe I shouldn’t take the baby.
