Page 204 of The Vacation Mix-Up
I wipe my cheeks. “H-Hi.”
“Jesus! You’re trembling.” She scoots to the seat beside me and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “It’s okay. You’re safe now, Riley. We’ll get off with you at the next stop and call 911.”
Sliding my hand into my pocket, I retrieve my cell and clutch it tight. “I still have this. He didn’t know—” I burst into tears again. “I thought he was going to kill me, or… or force me off the train with him.”
“Thank the Lord he didn’t,” she says, gently rubbing my arm.
A chill runs the length of my spine, and my body turns rigid. “He has my keys. And my address. What if…? What if he’s there when I?—”
“Try not to worry about that. We’ll call the police as soon as we can. They’ll keep you safe.”
“Y-Yes. Thank you.”
“And you can change the locks, right?”
Nodding, I draw in another deep breath, exhale, and wipe my face again.
After the train stops at the next station, we get off, and Nya and Perry stay with me while I dial 911 and am met by two officers who take my details and then escort me home. They check that my apartment is secure and wait until the locksmith arrives.
I text Riley, blatantly lying when I tell him I’m fine but too tired to talk. I can’t speak to him; I’ll burst into tears if I do, and then I’ll have to come clean and admit what happened. Knowing him, he’ll be furious, and worried, and he’ll somehow blame himself despite none of it being his fault, nor mine for that matter.
It is what it is, and it can’t be reversed.
Cradling my coffee in my hands, I settle on my sofa, eyestrained to the front door, ears wired to every noise beyond it. Never in my thirty-two years of living in the city have I been this scared and unsettled. So unsafe and unprotected. So lost and misplaced.
A door slams out in the corridor, startling me. I jolt forward and spill my coffee, my heart hammering in my chest.
Damn it, Riley. This is crazy. You’re safe. This is your home. He can’t get in. He can’t hurt you.
Setting my mug on the table, I pluck a few tissues from the box Mom always had readily available and pat my pants leg. Then I turn on the TV, needing a distraction, my restless fingers fidgeting as they settle on my wrist, seeking comfort from Riley’s bracelet.
I jerk my hand up when I skim nothing but skin, my bracelet gone.
No! No, no, nooo!
“Fuck you!” I scream at the door. “That was my bracelet, my bag, my….”
Screaming again, I snatch my laptop from the table,open it, and cancel my credit cards. I also order a new ID and finally open my mail, including the letter from Mom’s solicitor.
Shaking out the contents from the envelope, another smaller envelope with Mom’s handwriting falls into my lap. My breath catches, and I stare at it for a moment before picking it up and tearing it open.
My dearest Smiley Riley,
I’m so sorry, darling. I wanted nothing more than to stay with you in this world and watch you achieve your dreams, but I know in my heart of hearts that you will, because you’ve always been a fighter. My little warrior. My determined, resilient daughter.
Tears pool in my eyes, and I scoff. “Resilient? Jesus,Mom. I feel anything but resilient right now.”
Plucking another tissue, I blow my nose and keep reading.
Stay strong, Riley, but please open your heart and mind to everything the world has to offer, not just Georgia. You’re so talented, and you have so much to give.
It’s my hope that after your cruise, and as you sit down and read this, you’ve discovered there’s more to life than constantly giving to her. I don’t want that for you anymore. You’ve fought for too long and given her too much, so… now’s the time for me to give to you. For me to take care of your fight.
My life insurance policy is enough for you to set up your own small press. It’s what you’ve always wanted, so take the leap, darling. You’re ready. Stop working for that soul-sucking witch, and leave this city. Find a nice place by the beach or in the country, and go out on your own and live your dream. And while you’re doing it, fall in love. Get married, have children. Be your own boss, and be happy.
You deserve nothing less.
Love always and forever,
