Page 77 of Quiet Beautiful Things

I turn and blow a kiss to Maisy. She blows one back.

Just before getting out of the car, I notice the blue Toyota Camry parked next to my building. I fall back into the seat, relief punching me in the stomach. Even if Tara isn’t with her, the presence of the car means Sierra is here.

Blake’s hand rests on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”

I close my eyes and nod.

Me: I think I just might be.

I send off the text and hop out of the car. When I don’t see the reflection of his car pulling away in the building window, I turn. The car isn’t moving. And Blake is staring at me. Then he blows me a kiss just as I had Maisy. I roll my eyes, spin back around, and go inside.

At my front door, before I open it, I say a little prayer that there aretwopeople in my apartment. When I step inside, it doesn’t exactly go as I expected given there is a gun pointing directly at me.

I hold my hands up, because… well, that’s what you do when a gun is pointed at you, right?

The woman holding it goes pale and lowers the weapon as my heart pounds so loudly I’m sure she must hear it.

Sierra steps into view, touching the woman’s arm. Both of them look at each other, relieved.

My hands are shaking terribly, making it hard to text.

Me: This is Tara I presume?

Sierra motions for her mother and me to sit.

Sierra: I’m sorry about that. She’s really on edge. She’s barely eaten in days.

Me: Is there a reason for her to be? Did he see you leave? Did he follow you? And where did you get the gun? Sierra, if you bought a gun, Grant will find out.

She shakes her head. “I didn’t buy it.”

Sierra: It’s my dad’s. He has an arsenal back home. Most of it is in cases, under padlock, but Mom knew he kept one for easy access next to his side of the bed. It was in a combination lock box. With nothing better to do on the drive, Mom tried about a thousand numbers before it finally popped open.

Me: So it went down as planned? He didn’t know you were there?

Tara traces the gun with her index finger. It makes me squeamish. Does she even know how to use it? My dad, who is vehemently against guns, once took Beth and me to a shooting range to learn how to handle one in case we ever found ourselves in a situation where we needed to. Wow—what a difference between him and the man who raised Sierra.

Sierra: Like clockwork. I got there early, around seven. I parked around the cornerlike we talked about and waited. He left at quarter to nine. I waited another forty-five minutes just to make sure he wouldn’t come back. Then I pinned up my hair and put on the wig, baseball cap, and aviator glasses I bought at Goodwill, along with a pair of overalls and boots with platform heels. I don’t think he’d ever suspect it was me. I knocked on the door, not wanting to walk right in. I didn’t know what her reaction would be so when she cracked the door, I handed her a note. I knew if she heard my voice, she might hug me, and I didn’t want that on any security cameras. She did exactly as I asked, not showing any emotion toward me as she packed a suitcase. We drove for four hours straight, not stopping until we had to for gas. At the gas station, before she left the car, she changed into different clothes that I’d brought for her and put on a dark wig. Ellie, it was almost too easy.

Me: The hardest part may be over, but you’ve still got a mountain ahead of you. She can’t let down her guard. I don’t mind telling you I’ve been twisted in knots these past few days wondering if I’d steered you wrong. With no way to contact you, I was going crazy.

Sierra: She was super stressed out and had a panic attack. So I thought it was best to stop for the night. I used the cash you gave me for a hotel. We were careful to go in and outin disguise. When we arrived here, I cut and colored her hair.

I look at Tara, the crown of her hair still damp, and wonder if this was the way my own mother looked right after she left Grant. Like a scared little girl. Like she’s stepped into a whole new world she doesn’t think she belongs in.

She looks just like Maisy did the first time I saw her.

Tara’s eyes are dark and distant. Her demeanor guarded. She’s a small woman. I’d be surprised if she weighs more than a hundred and twenty pounds. I know how big Grant was when I saw him eight years ago. It disgusts me that someone that large feels the need to prey on someone so helpless.

Her hair is reddish-brown and doesn’t match her skin tone, making me think she may have been blonde just a few hours ago. She’s shorter than both Sierra and me. And she won’t take her eyes off the gun.

Me: Please tell her it’s nice to meet her. Someday, I hope to be able to introduce our mothers. But for now, nobody else can know. Is she good with that?

She nods, having a conversation with Tara that I only pick up bits and pieces from.

Me: And tell her I’m sorry, but she can’t take the gun to the school. It’s a federal offense to have one on school property. I’ll keep it locked up here. The two of you can stay in my guest room until Friday morning. Early, before school, we’ll move her into the residential quarters. She can relax here and get some sleep while we figure out how all this will work. I’ll pick up a phone for hertomorrow. Do you think she’ll be okay on her own there? I really think it’s for the best that you go to NZ as planned. Just in case Grant suspects anything. She will be able to text me anytime. But only you and me. Nobody else, unless it’s to communicate with others at the school. There is a hearing woman in charge of all the janitorial staff. Nobody at the school except my boss will know the arrangement. Everyone there will think she’s just another worker getting paid just like them. There are four other workers who live in the residential unit as well, all women. Tara needs to understand that even if she makes friends with them, she cannot say anything. You need to come up with a new name, and a backstory.

Sierra and Tara have another conversation. Tara’s hand tightens around the gun. Then she releases it reluctantly and slides it across the table. Sierra pulls the lock box out of a backpack and tells me the combination.

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