Page 108 of Finding Wonderland

“Isla…” Maddie called out, but Isla held up her hands and walked inside.

Brayden and Everleigh were already changed and playing video games in the living room while the dogs lounged on the floor in front of them. Walker was nowhere to be seen, and Isla was thankful. She walked toward the bedroom she shared with Vera to find her and Ellie sitting on the bed together.

Ellie was a mama’s girl, there was no doubt about it. She much preferred Vera over Isla when she was hurt, but Isla didn’t mind. Vera was the best mom, even Isla could grant her that. Isla knelt down in front of them, smiling at Ellie.

“How’s your arm?”

“It’s okay,” Ellie sniffled.

Isla looked at Vera, trying to silently convey to her that they needed to talk. Now. Thankfully, years of communication had taught them to read each other like a book. Vera nodded, rubbing Ellie’s back.

“Care Bear,” Vera used the nickname she’d coined for Ellie years ago, “why don’t you go grab an ice pack out of the freezer and we’ll be out in a minute, okay?”

Ellie nodded and left the room without a word. Isla waited until she knew Ellie was out of earshot before putting her hands on her hips and looking down at Vera still sitting on the bed.

“Ellie told me,” Vera quickly said, holding up her hands. “Walker caused her to fall.”

“Walker drunkenly fell into our pool and our daughter could have broken her arm.”

“It was an accident, Isla.”

“This time.” Isla put her hands on her hips again. “But what about next time?”

Vera stood, crossing her arms over her chest. She looked defeated, tired. As if the last half hour had hit her like a ton of bricks.

“I’ve already decided to tell Walker and Maddie they need to leave. You’re right. It was an accident this time but what if Ellie had broken her arm? Or hit her head? Or something worse? I love my family more than anything, you know that.”

“I do.”

“And Walker is my family, yes, but the kids come first. Always. And you’re right, we can’t have her around them anymore like this.”

“I’m so sorry, Vera.”

“I’m going to talk to Lena when we get back home. Maybe she’ll have some ideas about what to do.” Vera’s sister lived in Florida, and hadn’t been much help to her nor Walker growing up. Isla doubted she’d start helping now, but Isla didn’t dare say that out loud.

“I think that’s a good idea.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you want me to go with you when you talk to Walker?”

Vera shook her head. “No. This is something I need to do alone.”

“I’m here if you need me, always.”

“I know, and I love you immensely for that.” Vera walked to her, wrapping her arms around her waist as she snuggled against her. “I feel like the universe just slapped me across the face today. I mean, we were literally just talking about something happening and then it did.”

“The universe can be funny like that.”

“Yeah, but next time,” Vera sadly laughed, “I’ll settle for a postcard over our child being hurt.”

Chapter 38

Vera

2018

How could I have let this happen?

---