Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 60848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60848 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 304(@200wpm)___ 243(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“Here we are,” Violet said, pulling into a spot marked Staff. “New Beginnings Women’s Resource Center. We usually just call it Haven. Though we don’t advertise for safety reasons, we have a few good friends in the local and semi local justice system. They send us women they believe we can help, usually ones with exceptionally nasty abusers.”
I couldn’t help the snort of derision. “Exceptionally nasty abusers,” I echoed softly. “Pretty much sums up the situation.”
We all exited the vehicle and followed Violet through double doors into a small lobby where a woman sat behind a reception desk protected by thick glass. She nodded at Violet, then buzzed us through a second set of doors. I watched Violet enter a code on a keypad.
“Have you eaten?” Violet asked, her voice cutting through the fog in my mind. “There’s dinner at six-thirty, but I can have someone bring you something to your suite if you like. I know you’ll all want to clean up and rest.”
The thought of food made my stomach lurch. When had the girls last eaten? The vending machine at the bus transfer station, hours ago. A bag of chips split two ways and bottled water that the girls had sipped sparingly, making them last.
“We’re fine,” I said, my voice sounding strange to my own ears. Raspy. Distant. Anyone could tell I wasn’t fine but there didn’t seem to be anything I could do to fully engage. I was crashing. Hard.
“Mom’s tired,” Zelda said, her voice sharp with warning. Protective. Always protecting me when it should have been the other way around.
“Of course,” Violet said, her smile kind and a little sad. “It’s a lot, I know. Zelda?” I hadn’t formally introduced the girls, but I was pretty sure the lawyer lady who’d gotten me into this place had given her a profile of sorts. It didn’t surprise me Violet knew our names. When my daughter nodded, Violet smiled. “We’ll get you settled, and you all can rest. I’ll bring you a hot meal.
“Everyone who works here has an ID badge,” Violet explained, tapping the plastic card clipped to her shirt. “All external doors are locked at all times, and the residents’ wing has separate security. No one gets in without proper clearance.”
The hallway opened into a common area with worn but clean furniture, a television mounted to one wall, and several doorways leading to other parts of the building. Signs pointed to a kitchen, classrooms, and a wing labeled “Residential.” Overall, it seemed like the common room took up maybe a quarter of the ground floor.
“I’ll show you to your room,” Violet said, guiding us toward a lift just off the main area. “I got you guys a three-bedroom ready for you so the girls could have their own rooms.” She continued to give me the rundown as we walked. “We got two full-size beds, two dressers, and two desks with a chair in their bedrooms and there’s still plenty of room for anything else you need. The master bedroom has a king bed, as well as a couple of dressers and a workspace like in the other bedrooms.”
“I’m sure it will be perfect.” I thought my words might be slurring and I faced Violet. “I think I’m crashing.”
“Oh, honey.” She put her arm around me as we stepped off the lift. Violet guided us a short way down the wide hall and swiped a key card to open the door and we all filed inside. Violet helped me to the couch in the center of the room in front of a large television. “Let me get you some water.” Violet hurried off.
Kira crawled up on the couch beside me, putting her thin arms around my neck. I pulled her onto my lap and hugged her tightly. Zelda fidgeted, seeming uncertain what to do as she watched Violet. The urge to break down was strong, but I held everything in. For now.
“I’m leaving a list of phone numbers on the table,” Violet said as she handed me a glass of water. “It’s basically a comprehensive list of people around the compound here and at the club you can call if you need anything. Me, Hannah, and Pippa are the main three, but all the women listed are more than happy to come to you at any time. If you have a security issue, call Knight and he will get someone on the way immediately.” She sat on the coffee table in front of me. “It’s a lot to take in,” she said quietly. “I’m throwing a lot at you, and I know you’re not in the frame of mind to remember anything and that’s OK. Me and the girls will be checking on you tomorrow. I’ve got you guys some supper on the way, and I’ll bring breakfast in the morning. Just get through the night knowing you and your daughters are safe. We’ve all got your back, and this place is like a fortress.”