38. Chapter Thirty-Eight | Savannah
Chapter thirty-eight
“I don’t know why, but a fresh haircut and blowout always makes me feel like a million bucks,” I tell my sister as I hold my cell phone between my cheek and shoulder.
I dig through my purse until I can find my lip gloss and quickly add a coat as I walk down the street.
“I probably should have had it cut before your wedding but there literally wasn’t any time to squeeze it in. ”
“I get it. I bet I would feel like a million bucks if I could stop throwing up. This has not been the most romantic honeymoon, but thankfully, Walker has been wonderful.” Her wistful tone brings a smile to my face knowing she really means that.
Walker does whatever he can to support my sister, and it’s been adorable to see his eyes shine with pride and awe when he looks at her ever since they found out they were pregnant.
“You are so close to being out of the first trimester, so hopefully those hormones regulate, and the sweet babies can give you a little break.” I know most mamas look forward to the twelve-week point, but I know my sister won’t fully exhale until she is at the point of viability for the babies.
I don’t bring up her late miscarriage because I know that loss is always on her heart; she will bring it up to me if she needs to talk about it.
“And I’ll do my best to have Eloise absolutely worn out when y’all return next week. ”
Vivian laughs in response. “Good luck. I’m sure that all the girls will need a good bath after playing at Daddy’s today, so enjoy feeling fabulous while it lasts.
” She’s right, and the risk of mud is always amplified when one of our brothers joins in the fun.
“Liam and Finn are both there today too so I’m sure they are rigging up some kind of contraption that will still end with all of our girls filthy.
” We visit for a few more minutes as I walk from the hair salon to the auto shop.
There was some recall on my SUV and the shop needed the car for a few days, so I dropped it off before we went to Texas.
We got back late last night, so Finn dropped me off before taking the girls out to Daddy’s this morning.
The perk of living in a town the size of Forrest Falls means everything is walkable once you’re downtown.
I wait my turn and sign some necessary paperwork for the repair before they give me my keys and tell me where in the lot my car is parked.
It’s probably sat there for a day or two, but it seemed easier to have my car left here while I was gone than try to figure out daily life without a vehicle for a couple days.
My SUV is parked in the back corner of their gated lot, and I finish reading an email just as I reach my car. But as I walk around the backside of my SUV, I’m frozen to the spot, and I almost throw up when my eyes land on the driver’s side.
What in the actual hell?
I didn’t see anything from the passenger side when I walked up, but along almost the entire driver’s side of my white SUV someone has written the word 'WHORE' in something crimson red. I tentatively take a cautious step forward as I whip my head around to see if anyone is in the area, but the only thing around me right now are a few other cars parked in the lot. Despite not seeing anyone, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, making me feel like I’m not actually alone right now. As I move to the front of my SUV, my hand flies to my mouth—partially in shock, but partially to keep me from actually throwing up. Sitting on top of the hood of my car is an obviously dead squirrel and it’s clear what the red letters are written in on my car: someone used its blood to write that vile word on my vehicle.
Who would do this? And that poor squirrel!
I quickly turn away from the sight because I really might be sick.
I don’t even know what I should do about this right now.
I pull out my phone, pausing to debate who to call first. This might be more than Theo bargained for but my gut says to call him first, and I always listen to my intuition.
I know he’s in court this morning, so it’s not surprising when he doesn’t answer.
I could text him but I know he will call back when he’s out.
Jack, Liam, or Daddy would be the next call, but I don’t want to spook the girls.
Instead of opening our family chat or The Cavalry group chat, I start a separate group message with my brothers and Daddy.
Vivian doesn’t need to worry about this right now.
Me
First, I’m ok. But I need help. Please do not alarm the girls! I need someone to come to the auto shop, and I need to call the police, but would rather have someone here with me. Theo is in court or I’d have him come, but Liam, can you come? I think you’re the best option right now…
Daddy
What’s going on, peanut?
Liam
I’m on my way.
Finn
I’ll take over being the best uncle ever, but what happened?
Jack
I’m in meetings in Nashville, but if you need an attorney for whatever is going on, I’m sure Pippa can meet you too.
Me
[Photo of vandalized vehicle]
Me
[Photo of dead squirrel]
Ryan
What the actual fuck?! I’m coming. I’ll be there in less than ten.
Liam
Don’t touch anything, Sav. Call the non-emergency sheriff number, then call Pippa in case your douche ex had anything to do with it and it was not a random thing.
Ryan
Especially paired with the door thing.
Incoming Call: Liam Callahan
“Hey, I’m not touching anything,” I answer my brother’s call and rub my arm; despite the warm summer temperature, chills run over my entire body and my teeth slightly chatter. My mouth tastes like bile but I’m trying to focus on keeping my breath steady.
“I know, sweetheart. I need you to go back inside the auto shop, okay? I’ll be there in just a couple minutes, but I don’t want you standing next to it, especially alone. Tell Fred what happened and see if he can pull up his surveillance footage for outside his shop. I’ll be right there.”
I nod before realizing he can’t see that. “Okay, thanks Liam, I’ll see you soon.”
I walk back inside, talk to the owner Fred about pulling the surveillance footage, and sit in the waiting area section of the lobby before I debate what to say in a text to Theo.
I’m not sure how to convey what happened without him freaking out, but I also need him to know that something happened and it’s a serious situation.
I retype the message a few times before settling on one that will get his attention but not immediately freak him out.
Me
Hi. When you’re done in court, can you please call me? I’m ok but I need you.
The bell over the front door of the shop jingles as Liam rushes in.
I hadn’t shed a tear when I explained to the auto shop owner what happened, nor when I talked to him about the security tapes.
I just felt numb, nauseous, but numb, like my brain doesn’t know how to compute what I saw.
But the second my big brother wraps me up in a hug, it’s like the dam is released.
My body is full on shaking at this point and I can’t even talk to Liam initially.
He holds me and steers me away from the lobby, guiding us into Fred’s office.
My brother talks to him about video footage and camera angles, but I can’t follow their discussion.
Why would someone do this to my car? And I’ve been called plenty of names in my life, it comes with having a strong personality, but I have never been called a whore and it’s shocking how demeaning that word makes me feel.
The reality that someone not only thought that about me but went as far to write it—let alone write it in animal’s blood—on my vehicle is making my entire body itch.
I don’t even think five hot showers would make me feel clean right now.
I’m still holding my phone in my hand and I realize it’s been vibrating with an incoming call.
Theo.
I wipe my tears and show the screen to my brother who nods and keeps talking to Fred about logistics of how this could’ve possibly happened.
I take a few steps away toward the window to have a little privacy as I answer.
“Hi.” I try to take a slow, deep breath to calm my heart and breath enough to explain this all to him, but my ragged breath proves those efforts were in vain.
“Hey baby, what’s up? I saw your text, sorry, just got out of court. Are you okay?” His warm voice is a balm of comfort right now.
I try to speak, but as soon as I open my mouth, only a sob escapes.
“Savannah? Baby? What’s wrong? Where are you?
I’m coming to you.” I can’t get any words out to even say where I am, let alone explain what happened.
I try taking deep breaths as Liam looks over at me. I shake my head and hand him my phone.
“Hey, Theo; it’s Liam. I’m with Savannah right now.
We are at the auto shop and you should come if you can.
She’s physically okay.” He pauses as Theo says something on the other end.
“Yeah, we’ll see you in a minute.” Liam hangs up and hands me back my phone.
The courthouse is less than two blocks from here so it feels like it’s less than a minute before I can hear Theo calling out for me from the lobby.
I should wait in the office and not make a scene, but I don’t just want him—I need him right now.
Before I can think, my feet are running out the office and straight into his open arms.
“Shh … baby, it’s okay. I’m here. I’ve got you.”
He wraps his arms around me and holds my head against his chest. The scent of leather, cedar, and faint hints of tobacco from his cologne add a layer of comfort that I’m beyond desperate for right now.
I still can’t get enough words out to explain what happened, but I do manage to whisper two words to him, “Thank you.”