Page 141 of All the Little Houses
He walks a few steps forward, and I nod. “Just go have a look, then report back. I—I’m a wreck.” Tears flood my face.
As soon as he’s ten feet away, I do the only thing I know how to do, the thing I’ve been doing my entire life.
I run through the parking lot to the pay phone.
Pick up the phone, dial 911.
A calm voice says, “Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”
My own voice shaky, I stammer, “S-something terrible has happened. At the Boat House, off Highway 259. There was a fight, a woman and a tall guy, someone got hurt. No,killed, and I’m terrified for my life. Can you send someone out here to help me?”
87
Nellie
The woods shiver all around me; the hot breeze continues to gust. But, like the trees, I’m trembling.
After I called 911, I crept over to my bimmer, started the engine. Luke was at the water’s edge by then, his back to me, so I eased it up the hill—headlights off—toward the swimming hole. Stashed it deep into the woods.
Now I’m hidden in a thick part of the forest, watching. Waiting.
Poor, stupid Luke is now wading into the water, knee-deep.
It doesn’t take long.
Before I know it, I see red and blue lights strobing over the darkness as three cop cars race into the parking lot.
Perfect.
Their sirens squeal; Luke spins around. In their headlights, I can see his expression: first confused, then horrified.
He scans the area, as if looking for me. But, of course, he won’t find me.
Blood pounds in my temples; I can’t believe this is all happening, but fuck him, he shouldn’t have made a fool of me.
I crouch on my knees, just in case, get my body behind the widest part of the tree trunk.
My breathing is so shallow, I feel like I’m gonna pass out. I want to get the hell out of here, but I need to see the rest.
The cops are on him, first talking to him. I see Luke raise his hand, point toward the parking lot. Fuck, he’s telling them about me; I’m almost certain of it, even as I’m silently praying that he keeps his fucking mouth shut. But then, to my relief, they slaphandcuffs on him, lead him through the gravel lot. Stash him in the back seat of a patrol car.
Good.
Very, very good.
I shrink even farther to the ground as I watch the line of cop cars drive past, their suspect in custody. Only once they’re gone do I stand up, dust myself off.
No way I’m going down for this.
If they can’t make a case against Luke, Daddy better watch his ass.
