Chapter 41 #2
“We were demoted at the club. To a golf only membership.” By the horror in her tone, one would think it was a war crime instead of a natural consequence for raising a sociopathic abuser. “Because of this… scandal!”
There was no reasoning with her, no calmly defusing the situation. And I was sick and tired of being the victim. She had walked in here, into my home, because she believed I was weak. She believed that I couldn’t fight back.
The joke was on her.
Her hand was still on the table, lingering inches from the revolver.
I had to move fast. All the training I’d done had to be good for something.
So I snapped into action, throwing my water in her face, then lunging at her as she reached for the gun.
I made contact, the force almost knocking the wind out of me, and grabbed for the gun.
She got to it first, but I was half a second behind, clutching for the weapon, my hands on top of hers. I stomped on her ballet-flat-clad foot and she jerked, whipping the revolver upward.
I struggled to pull it out of her grasp. The woman was strong. I’d give her that. With all the strength I had, I yanked violently.
A sharp crack ripped through the air, making my body shudder and my blood run cold.
Plaster rained down from the ceiling, and when Phyllis looked up at it in shock, I took my chance and snatched the gun from her. It fell to the floor, and instinctively, I kicked it, sending it skittering across the kitchen floor toward Julian’s broken Lego van.
“You little bitch.” She swung at me, her fist connecting with my jaw. My head snapped back on impact, but I kept my footing. I’d attended too many self-defense classes to be taken out by an old lady punch.
I got low and led with my shoulder, tackling her and using my body weight to knock her down. On the floor, I grabbed at her arms, using every ounce of energy I had to stop her from thrashing and throwing her knee into my stomach.
“Celine.” The deep voice lifted me out of the fog.
“Help me,” Phyllis screamed. “This is elder abuse.”
Josh stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. He looked warm and strong like he always did, but so, so angry.
“The police are on the way,” he said, scanning the room for the gun.
“Over there.” I nodded to where it had slid to, keeping Phyllis’s arms pinned to the ground.
He picked it up, opened the chamber, and tipped it sideways, letting the bullets fall into his hand.
He pocketed them, then knelt next to us. Instantly, his warmth seeped into me, and a hint of relief worked its way through me.
“Ma’am,” he said respectfully. “The police will be here any minute. You will be arrested.”
“For trying to see my grandchildren!” she wailed
“For trespassing on my property and threatening the woman I love,” he said. “Among other felonies.”
The two of us kept our eye on her until Nolan appeared with one of his deputies by his side. I gave a quick statement, all the while itching to dart out of here and hug my children.
“The kids are safe?” I asked Josh.
He nodded. “In my house with Wayne. Ellie found me in the barn, told me to call the police.”
Tears rolled down my cheeks and my legs almost gave out. That girl. Of course she did.
“I need to see them,” I sobbed.
“Of course. We’ll go now.”
We’d only made it a few yards when Nolan jogged over. He was tall and intimidating, with shaggy hair and thick stubble. “I’m going to need a full statement,” he said.
“I know.” I gave him a shaky nod. “I just need to get my kids first.”
Nolan dipped his chin. “Can you come by the station after? We’ll need to talk to the kids too.”
“Fine,” I said, panic now setting in. I needed my kids. I needed to hold them and thank them and apologize a million times for this. To look at their little faces and make sure that they weren’t broken by all this grief and sadness.
I took off, and as the house came into view, a strange sense of relief and fear washed over me.
Josh was by my side, unlocking the door and pushing it open.
“Mom,” Maggie cried, running toward me.
I dropped to my knees and hugged her, and a second later, Ellie’s arms were around me.
“I was so scared,” Maggie cried.
“I know, baby,” I said, soaking in their warmth, reminding myself that they were safe. “It’s okay. It’s all over now. We’re safe.”
Standing, I inhaled deeply and let the breath out slowly. Then I kissed each of their heads.
When the scent of Ellie’s shampoo hit me, the tears came rushing back. I owed her more than I could ever explain. “I love you,” I said, pulling her close. She let me hold her, but after a minute, she squirmed, so I let go and scanned the room. “Where’s Julian?”
“He said he had to pee.”
“Julian,” I called.
There was no answer. Josh was suddenly at my side, putting a comforting hand on my back.
“He was really upset,” Ellie said. “Maybe he went to lie down?”
“I’ll look for him upstairs,” Josh said, striding away.
His boots thudded up the steps while we continued searching the first floor. With every second that passed, my chest tightened. Where could he have gone?
“He was here a minute ago I promise,” Ellie said, panic and fear swimming in her expression. “I didn’t take my eyes off him.”
“I know you didn’t—”
“Mom,” Maggie yelled from the mudroom.
I darted through the kitchen, and when I found her, she was standing at the back door. And it was wide open.