Paradise Falls (Paradise Falls #1-5)(26)

“Rachel would never do that.”

“I’m not sure. I wouldn’t do that to her, anyway.”

“Do what?”

Jennifer shrugged. “Put her up against Elliot. I won’t have him sending Grayson over to threaten my friends so I can get away from here. Where am I going to go, anyway? Unless I move out of the state I’ll never get away from them, and even then, who knows what kind of favors his father can call in? I’m just a teacher, Katie. I don’t have anybody but you.”

Does it have to be that way?

Jennifer shivered.

Katie gulped down the last big bite of her cheeseburger, stuffed the greasy wrapper back in the bag, and made a show of cleaning herself up.

“Well, I am involved. I mean it, Jen. You say the word, and we’ll go back to the house and get your stuff and go. Mrs. Carmody will be fine without you.”

Jennifer’s sigh turned ragged. Her breath hitched, and melted into a sob when she let it out. She rubbed her eyes and threw half the fish sandwich into the bag.

“What?” Katie’s concern ratcheted up a few notches.

“I like him.” Jennifer hugged herself and hunched forward. “I don’t know why, but I do. I made a mess of it. I ran out of the house. He must think I’m crazy. What’s wrong with me, Katie?”

Katie rubbed her back. “You’re just not ready yet, Jen. Look, I want to see you get together with somebody, I really do. You’re too young to be so… old.”

Jennifer’s sharp glare didn’t interrupt her sister.

“I mean it. You’re only twenty-six, Jenn. Lots of people your age haven’t even gotten married yet. You can start over, but you’re not going to do it living in that shitty house, staring at Franklin’s picture. I don’t care if you want to hear it or not, I have to say it. Do you really think it would make him happy to know that you ended up like this, eating cheese sandwiches for every meal, and letting Elliot torment you all the time?”

Jennifer’s jaw clenched. “I am not leaving my home.”

“It’s not your home anymore. It was, but it isn’t now. You have to accept that. Stop beating yourself up. It’s not your fault that Franklin died. It was an accident. Things happen. I know what it’s like.“

“Do you?” Jennifer snapped. “How do you know, Katie?”

Katie wilted and drew her hand back. “Dad,” she said, “and you know, I liked Franklin, too. I liked having a big brother.”

Jennifer’s head drooped, and a sob wrenched itself free. “I’m sorry, Katie. I didn’t mean it.”

Her sister’s ragged breathing and choked her voice. “I know. Come on. Get a bag, grab some stuff, and come with me.”

“No,” Jennifer said. “Don’t ask me again. I’m not going. I’m not. I want to go home.”

Katie wiped away her tears with the back of her sleeve. “Fine,” she said with resignation. “Let’s go back to your house.”

Katie focused on the road and didn’t speak again until they pulled up to the duplex.

Chipped white paint covered the house, revealing the silvery old wood beneath. The porch sagged to the left, pulling away from the structure. The warped overhang beneath the second floor windows gave the front of the house a drunken grin. The half-abandoned appearance matched the rest of the street, where some of the houses were abandoned.

Jennifer got out of the car and fished some cash out of her purse. Katie declined the offer with a wave of her hand.

“Call me if you need anything,” Katie said. “I mean anything. If he comes back, get somewhere safe and call me and I’ll come get you. I mean it.”

Jennifer nodded even though Katie would be over an hour away and probably wouldn’t get to her in time to affect anything Elliot attempted. The handle swayed loose on the bent storm door, and chips of paint scattered to the ground. She started to step out of the car.

Katie grabbed her arm. “Jennifer, please. Don’t stay here. Come with me. I’m scared. I haven’t talked to Mom in over a year. I can’t lose you.”

“You’re not going to lose me,” Jennifer said, absently. “This is my house.”

She would be safe in her house.

Katie sighed, willing the tears back. Jennifer hugged her sister, and Katie squeezed her back.

“Call me if anything happens. Even if you just need to talk. I mean it.”

Jennifer nodded.

“You’re supposed to be the big sister,” Katie said softly. “You’re supposed to be taking care of me.”

Tears slid hot down Jennifer’s cheeks. “I’m sorry. I’ll call you in the morning, Kat.”

“Okay,” she said. “I’ll be waiting. I’m not leaving until you’re in the house.”

Jennifer’s stomach twisted into a queasy knot as she watched the goofy little car pull away. The fish sandwich wanted to come back up. A hard swallow banished it back to her stomach, but it wasn’t giving up yet.

She took an old piece of wood and wedged it against the baseboard, between the front door and the wall behind it. When they first moved in, Franklin reassured her by putting the board in place and kicking the door. Even unlocked, it wouldn’t budge. The back door was locked up tight with a heavy deadbolt, a chain and a little wire hook.