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“Yeah. I like it. Maybe we could all get a house like this someday.”
“I hope so.” She could picture it. Opal playing out back, Hunter working on his car or fixing something, her baking pies for their dessert. It seemed like a perfect little family portrait.
“You really do like Hunter?” Vanessa asked.
She nodded.
“You can tell me the truth if you don’t.”
“But I do!”
“Okay.” Vanessa laughed at her enthusiasm. “Do you ever miss our old house?”
“Yeah. But I don’t want to go back there.”
“Me either. Why don’t you want to ?”
“I don’t want to live with Daddy again. It was too scary.”
“I know and that’s why we left. So Daddy couldn’t hurt you anymore.”
“I know. But Mommy?”
After a pause, she asked, “Yeah?”
“Why did we wait so long? Why didn’t we leave so you wouldn’t get hurt anymore?”
“Well, because I wanted you to be with your daddy and have a family. I tried not to let you see that he hurt me.”
“I did though. I saw him hold you down, and I saw him hit you.”
Vanessa swallowed hard. How much exactly had her daughter seen and how would this affect her for the rest of her life?
“Well, it’s all over now and we’ll never go back to him. Hunter will keep us safe and never hurt us.”
“That’s why I want him to be my new daddy.”
“I’m glad. I know he really likes you, too.”
“Can we go for a walk now? I want to show you the birdhouse!”
Opal hopped off the swing when it had slowed enough. Vanessa took her hand and let Opal lead her through a path in the field. They walked through high grass and flowers, under the shade of many old, tall trees. They stopped at a bird house, painted red, but weathered from the years. Inside, they could see a nest of tiny baby birds.
“They’re so cute!” Opal reached toward it, like she was going to pick one up.
“No!” Vanessa said and took her hand. “If you touch them, the mommy will think something is wrong with them and stop taking care of them.”
Opal gave her a confused look. “Why would she do that?”
“It’s just the way birds are. They’re not like people. We take care of each other forever.”
They watched through the hole for a time, then walked back toward the house. Vanessa tried to memorize the feel of Opal’s small hand in hers. She didn’t know when she would see her again or feel that little hand. Or if she ever would. She quickly swiped tears from her eyes and pulled out her phone to text Hunter.
It was time for them to leave much too soon. Vanessa couldn’t break down as she said goodbye to Opal, because Opal didn’t know the danger ahead. She had been told they all had to do something really important together to make sure they would all be safe, and that her and Hunter would come get her after a fun day at the farm house.
As soon as her and Mari got into the car, however, Vanessa couldn’t hold back her tears. Mari rubbed her leg and tried to comfort her.
“No matter what happens, it’ll all be over after tomorrow. Just get through one day, and it’ll be better.”
