16
Veronica
When Chance called and told me that Anne from Phoenix Rising House would be coming to speak to us, my first reaction was a downright fangirl moment. She has been my role model for years, and the work she’s doing, along with the articles written by Chance’s mother, were pivotal in my creating the foundation.
Chance. He’s been peripherally at the heart of my life for a long time and I didn’t even know it.
When he called for the second time, he also asked how I was doing and how my sister is doing and sounded genuinely concerned. But when I asked him what Anne wanted to talk to us about, he curtly told me to let her tell it and hung up. So maybe I was wrong about the concern. I swear, I have no idea where to turn when it comes to him. No idea at all.
I waited for Anne by the sidewalk, thanked her for coming, and led her into the house, to the dining room where the rest of my family was already gathered again, showered and dressed for the day. The room smells of body wash, perfume and my dad’s aftershave, mixing with the scent of coffee and cinnamon from the rolls.
Anne is sitting at the head of the table, perched at the very edge of her seat with her back ballerina straight. She’s wearing a dark blue turtleneck and jeans only a few shades lighter. Her face is calm and serene and the fact that my dad is grimacing at every word she says like he can’t wait to get her out of the house doesn’t seem to be bothering her at all.
“The threat you could be facing from this club that Veronica had a run-in with last night is real,” Anne says. “They are ruthless and operate by no moral code.”
“And the ones supposedly protecting us do?” my dad snaps.
Anne nods, but very faintly. “You’re welcome to refuse the protection. But I can tell you from experience that it’s not a good idea. A long time ago, they saved me from a deadly situation and they have also saved a lot of the women I help at my organization. Most of them, to be precise. Their offer to help you now is genuine, because they believe you and your daughters are in danger.”
Ariel is as pale as the walls, but she’s nodding along, as is my mom. It’s my dad who refuses to be convinced. I turn to him.
“I’ve worked with Anne for years, Dad,” I tell him. “I believe her and I trust her. I think we all should.”
“But why is it that we can’t go to the police?” my dad snaps. “I find that very suspicious.”
Anne looks down at her hands which she’s placed on the tabletop, fingers interlaced.
“What you are caught up in now is larger than what the police can protect you from,” she says.
“Larger? How?” Dad snaps, interrupting her.
“It’s revenge these men are after and they know only one way to get it. By bloodshed and hurting the innocent,” she says.
“You’re saying this is a gang war?” Dad asks.
“I’m saying it’s a problem that has to be solved, and it is being solved,” she says.
The calmness on her face is starting to crack, showing fear and tiredness underneath.
“I’m a lawyer,” Dad snaps. “I can’t get mixed up with criminals in any way.”
“We’re not getting mixed up with criminals,” I say before Anne can continue. “All we have to do is sit tight and wait for this to pass.”
Dad glares at me, then snaps his bulging eyes back at Anne.
“Yes, that’s pretty much how it is,” Anne says. “I was asked to speak with you precisely for this reason. So that nothing would tie you to the club. But of course, you are welcome to make up your own mind. Now I have to leave and prepare. Someone will be in touch with your daughter about how to proceed.”
She stands up as she says that last.
“What are we risking if we agree to it?” Dad asks.
“Less than you’re risking if you say no,” Anne says and looks at me. “Walk me out, Veronica?”
I leap out of my chair and am standing by her side in less than a second.
She says goodbye to my parents and Ariel and lets me lead the way out of the house. We’re halfway to her SUV parked by the sidewalk, before I finally get up the nerve to say, “I’m sorry about that. My parents are—”
“Scared,” Anne finishes for me. “And apprehensive about accepting the help they’re being offered. Chance tells me you are too.”