“I’ve had some strange hang up calls.”
“Oh my God.” I sat up and gasped. My number was changed after a while and I hadn’t been at work in a while. Was he tormenting my mom now? “I need to come there, or you need to come here.”
“Why??
?? She asked as I told her about everything that happened here. Mom was scared and angry as she told me that Stan was going to take time off work and come here. I ended the call and dialed Alex at work, telling him about the call.
“I am reserving them tickets at the airport for tomorrow morning. We can make arrangements that way. Tell them that they’ll be at the airport and I’ll reserve a hotel as well. Damn it.” Alex cursed as I blinked. “Paying him off isn’t enough anymore.”
I let Mom know that they had tickets at the airport. It was a short flight but much better than the drive. She told me to thank him until she arrived and went to talk to Stan about it. I sat down with Lindsay after lunch and told her that Grandma and Grandpa were going to try and visit us with a bright smile on my face. It wasn’t all happy news, but I wouldn’t let her know that.
Alex came home, and we discussed the visit over dinner. He was taking the week off work using his built-up vacation. He had a man looking for Keith in other parts of Washington now. Things were going to happen, but I couldn’t relax until Mom and Stan were here. I needed to see them. I faked it well for my daughter but as soon as I saw them at the airport and was hugging Mom, I started to cry. I told Lindsay that it was because I missed them so much as Stan and Alex led the way to the car, carrying the luggage.
“He’s handsome,” Mom told me as she watched them. I rolled my eyes.
“I know. I struggle with that every day,” I tried to joke but I was strung out right now. We were holding Lindsay’s hands, so I tried to keep it down, but Mom shot me a look. Once my daughter was in the car, she turned to me and gazed into my eyes.
“Don’t do that to yourself. Alex loves you and I could see that from the moment we saw you guys waiting for us. He loves Lindsay and you can’t let Keith get in your head that much, Soledad. He is an awful man. He hurt you so badly, but Alex is good, and he wants to put you back together.” Her eyes filled with tears and I watched her wipe at her cheeks.
“Want to sit in the front, Linda?” Stan asked as he came around to look at us.
“I’ll take the back with my girls.,” she replied as he walked over to her. “I miss them so much.”
“I know, baby.” Stan kissed her, and I watched in silence. Mom was unhappy before Stan and now she glowed. I slipped into the car beside Lindsay and Mom moved in next to her. Alex pointed out a few things along the way, asking them if there was anything they wanted to do while they were in town.
I wished this was a normal visit.
He brought them to the loft, explaining that he didn’t have a guest room available, but they were at a five-star hotel around the corner. Mom hugged him and then Rosie as she came into the room, thanking both for all they did for me. We sat down on the couch and kept the conversation light when Lindsay was awake. Rosie cooked enchiladas for dinner and I had some wine with Mom, making it fun until we were alone.
Alex sat with Stan, telling him everything. Mom listened and cried when she heard about the car trying to hit me. I cried again when we talked about the fire. Mom lived in the country and the houses weren’t side-by-side. It could be easy to get mixed up if you didn’t know the area, and Keith didn’t. Not like the rest of us.
Stan assured us that he had neighbors keeping a close eye on things, ready to call the police if they saw anything suspicious. The cause of the original fire was not yet known but if it was arson, Keith would be a suspect. Alex told them about the plan to pay him off, but everyone agreed that it was too late for that now.
Alex took them to their hotel late that night as I waited on the couch. It felt like the loft had too many windows now and I shifted on the cushions as I played back the conversation.
It sounded like a movie.
He came home, and we went to bed, clutching each other in the dark. He told me that they planned to do some sightseeing the following day for Lindsay’s sake, followed closely by Daniel. Alex had a concealed weapon permit as well and would have a gun with him. That scared me more than I cared to admit but he was keeping us safe. I just never wanted Lindsay to see violence like I had.
We slept in a bit and got ready before leaving to pick up my parents. Lindsay was so excited to go out with them for the day and we feigned the same enthusiasm. From what we knew, Keith was working alone, and they could handle him.
We took them first to Pike Place Market. I hadn’t even been here yet and Lindsay loved it as we walked through the crowds. She laughed at the fish flying between the men and wore the flower crown that Mom bought her with a serious look in her eyes, as if she’d never lose it. We had lunch at a little chowder place and shopped idly around the area.
Seattle was beautiful, but I found myself looking at so much more than the scenery. I looked at every single person around us and lost moments with Lindsay. Mom kept her occupied and watched me carefully all day. I used the excuse that Lindsay was tired to go home and took a nap with her in her room. I think I wanted it more than she did.
Rosie cooked something simple for dinner and we just stayed in. We watched a movie with Lindsay and she sat between my parents with a giant smile on her face. Alex held me close to him and I rested my head against him as exhaustion slowly took me over again.
I woke up later that night in bed with Alex. It was dark and so late, and I wondered what happened. Wasn’t I watching a movie? I got up and checked to see that Lindsay was in her room sleeping and Rosie’s door was closed. I guess they all got her to bed and Alex probably carried me himself. I walked to the windows and looked out, seeing their hotel just a block away. I wished that I could call her, and I could, but we’d see them tomorrow. I sighed and pressed my hands against the thick, cold glass and longed for peace.
I went back to bed and snuggled against Alex to fall back asleep. He was tired as well and I heard his heavy breathing in the dark. Lindsay woke up first, coming in to crawl in bed with us as I cuddled with her. I asked what happened the night before and she told me that I fell asleep watching the movie and Alex took me to bed. We got up and had some coffee and juice with Rosie, waiting for Alex to join us.
He took my breath away when he walked into the kitchen. He was wearing lounge pants and a t-shirt, but I knew what was underneath that. He had some coffee and asked how I felt after brushing his lips against my hair.
“Sorry I crashed out. Busy day.” I smiled towards Lindsay and he stared at me for a long moment.
“It’s fine. She’s having a great time and it’s a good break for you,” he assured me as I gazed into his blue eyes. “I like them, Sol.”
“My parents?” I asked and watched him nod. “They’re amazing.” I made some toast for breakfast and we sat around the table, waiting for my parents. They were taking a cab over and I wasn’t surprised to know that Stan knew how to defend himself. He’d been in the Navy before meeting my mom and was highly prepared for most anything. I was impressed that he was a SEAL for a while since I never knew that.