Page 49 of Just Between Us

Her hair, which used to be dark like mine, is more silver than chestnut. And her face is prematurely lined with deep crevices, evidence of a hard life lived. Although it’s been a few weeks since she moved to my aunt’s house, the bruises on her face are still visible, faded to a greenish yellow. The cut on her lip will likely leave a scar. But she’s alive.

She’s on the other side of my screen, looking at me through tears glassing over her eyes. Her frame is bird frail, like she might snap in half from the weight of it all. Is that what a lifetime of pain does to women? And how close was I to becoming that?

A square pops up on my screen revealing my brother’s face, pulling me from my wandering mind.

“Hey, you two,” Aunt Ashley greets us, her eyes holding a mixture of relief and worry. “I’ve got some news.”

“What is it?” Austin asks, brow furrowing.

Aunt Ashley hesitates, glancing over at my mother. Mom gives a slight nod and my aunt goes on. “I wanted you both to hear this from me. Your father has been found.”

My stomach takes a nosedive, the wordfoundhanging heavy in the air. Found alive? Found and prosecuted?

“What do you mean by found?” Austin asks.

My aunt scoffs, rolling her eyes. “He was trying to cross the border. He’s been arrested on several charges. News articles are starting to pop up, and I wanted to be the one who told the both of you. I’m texting an article to you now.”

Within seconds of swiping to the family group chat, a link for a news article pops up. I click on it, heart hammering as I read the headline.

Local Man Arrested for Drug Trafficking

My father’s name looks small in the black font of the news report, stripped of the terrifying power it held in our childhood home. I read the article, taking in the years, the mandatory minimums.

It takes three rereads for the words to really sink in. This is a life sentence in all but name. He’ll take his last breath behind glass and steel, far away from the family he tried to break. Even with Aunt Ashley warning me a few weeks ago that this situation might be bigger than we thought, I’d never have guessed this. Drug trafficking, for fuck’s sake?

“Drug trafficking?” Austin bursts out, reading my mind. “He’s fucking insane.”

My mom lets out a strangled laugh, and something about the sound breaks up the intensity of the moment. In a quiet voice, she repeats my brother’s sentiment, and all four of us start to laugh.

It feels weird to be laughing right now, and the moment probably isn’t even that funny, but still we laugh. We laugh because our mom is safe, we laugh because for the first time in years we’re seeing her, even if it is on a screen. We laugh because justice is finally being served to a man who helped bring my brother and me into this world and then created a world of hell for us.

As our laughter subsides, I straighten, swiping a hand down my face. “Where do we go from here?”

The question could be for any one of us, but I’m looking right at my mom. She holds eye contact with me for longer than I expected, but then she clears her throat and looks to my aunt for guidance and my heart sinks.Talk to me, I want to say.

“With your father in custody, we feel your mom is safe and no longer in danger. Austin has offered his house to her for a new beginning.”

“You did?” I ask.

Austin scoffs. “What good is it doing me? I’m here for good, Cassie. You know that.” I feel lighter at this news. Austin’s houseis on the same property as my aunt and uncle. Mom will be close to them, yet have her own space for a new beginning. But hopefully she’ll get some help. I can’t begin to imagine all the damage she’s suffered mentally. Then, as if he’s reading my mind again, my brother speaks up. “Mom, if I paid for therapy, would you want that? Cassie can make sure they’re a good therapist.” His eyes flick to me and I nod.

Some days I feel like Oprah.Youget therapy, andyouget therapy. But nobody gets through life unscathed, and we could all use someone to talk to. Mom needs it now more than ever.

She takes a second then nods. We spend a few more minutes ironing out details and googling therapists. Austin invites everyone to visit Singing River for Thanksgiving, and both my aunt and mom agree. But eventually the conversation comes to a natural end.

Right as we’re saying our goodbyes, Mom looks from Austin to me and mouths,I love you, and the screen goes blank.

I lean back, my spine hitting the chair, and release a shaky breath, the weightlessness of it all making me lightheaded. A strange hollowness forms in the center of my chest, right in that spot where fear took up residence as far back as I can remember.

For the first time in years, there are no dark corners left for shadows to hide in. There is only light, and the way it feels to finally breathe.

Penny

You doing okay?

Stunned. Relieved. Mad as hell. Pick one. How’s Austin?

Penny