She glanced in the mirror and took a long look at herself. “One day at a time,” she said to the air. She pulled the tie out of her thick hair and brushed it back into place before twisting it on top of her head. The red was fading fast, and her natural blonde was trying to show.
She hardly recognized herself.
But that was the point, wasn’t it?
New look, new name, new home…new everything. She’d legally changed her name, social security number. Nothing was as it used to be.
She heard her phone ringing from the kitchen where she’d left her purse. The sound caught her by surprise. Very few people had her number, and as of yet, the telemarketers hadn’t discovered her.
Caller ID said restricted number, so instead of answering it, she let it go to voice mail. After a minute, she pressed the playback button.
A familiar female voice brought gooseflesh to her arms. “It’s me. I have an update.”
All at once, every nerve stood on end and her sympathetic nervous system moved into hyperdrive.
Erin moved to her small dinette table, pulled out a chair, and sat down before the dizziness took over and she ended up on the floor. Renee picked up on the first ring.
“Hello, Renee.”
“It’s so good to hear your voice. How are you? Did you try that coconut water yet?” Renee, her advocate, attorney, and savior, asked their coded question.
“I’m fine, and yes. The coconut water was delicious.”
There was no coconut water. Or beet juice, or whatever organic food Renee came up with next. Didn’t matter. The answer was always yes if Erin was safe and not being overheard. So far, she hadn’t needed to respond with a no. God willing, she never would.
“You sound good.”
“I’m a little better every day.”
“Are you eating?”
Erin considered her diet, decided to keep things positive. “I’m a good five pounds overweight.”
Renee huffed. “Lying sack of shit.”
They both laughed.
“I’m good. Truly.” She wanted to tell her that the sunshine was doing wonders for her, but that wasn’t allowed. Renee didn’t know where Erin was or even the name she was using. “Tell me the news.”
Renee sighed. “None of it’s what you want to hear.”
Erin swallowed. “Are my sister and her family okay?”
“They’re fine. I wouldn’t have started with chitchat if they weren’t.”
Erin squeezed her eyes shut, felt the familiar pain in her chest with the memories of everyone she left behind. “Spit it out.”
“You’re not divorced yet,” she told her. “And Asshat is seeking another hearing to contest the protection order.”
Erin placed her head in her hand. “This is never going to end.”
