Freedom of Love (Letter From Home #2)(16)

What I’d really like is to hear more about you. I was surprised to learn that we grew up in the same state. I always liked Virginia. The farm I was raised on grew corn and my dad had a small herd of cows as well. Mom always kept chickens, but that was more of a side business. You said you grew up outside of Charlottesville. Were you near the Blue Ridge Mountains or on the other side? I know there’s a lot of beautiful horse ranches out that way.

One of my buddies just came in and laughed when he saw me here on the computer. He knew I was emailing you, so I had to take some flak about that. But it’s okay. I have a confession to make—I actually looked you up on Facebook. Now I know you really aren’t a little old lady librarian!

I hope this doesn’t make me sound like a stalker, but I’ve come to view you as a friend and I’d love to have a chance to meet you when my tour is over. We can have coffee and talk about books. If you know of any good bookstores, we could always visit one together and compare notes on the mysteries we love.

This life here is hard and you’ve made it more bearable. Thanks for that. I know you said that you don’t always have internet access, but you forgot to send your mailing address.

Your friend,

Brody

My fingers hesitated over the keyboard as I pondered what to say. But I knew the friendship was based on a lie. He thought I worked in a library in the outside world, certainly not in a prison. Susan was wrong…I was defined by my imprisonment.

Deciding to come clean and confess everything to him, I clicked off the computer. If I was going to bare my soul, I would do it with a pen and paper.

“Molly, I need you to shelve the books today. Greta is in the infirmary and won’t be working.”

Nodding toward Ms. Purdue, I stood and walked over to the stack of books, my mind still on Brody. Yes, I’ll write to him…later.



The guard escorted me to the visiting area as my palms sweat and heart pounded. I was stunned when he came to get me, saying I had a visitor today. I never had visitors! We stopped as he gave me the instructions for how visits were to take place and the rules I had to follow. I nodded my understanding, wiping my palms on my pants.

Stepping into the large, well-lit room filled with tables, I saw other inmates sitting with what were probably family and friends, and even children. A couple of guards wandered around but did not appear to be concerned with anyone. I scanned the room quickly, but saw no one I recognized. Turning back to the guard who had escorted me in, I watched as he pointed to a table with a woman sitting alone. I approached the stranger, filled with trepidation. Licking my lips, I twisted my hands in front of me as I noted her observing me.

She appeared to be in her forties, but was beautifully put together. Her dark blonde hair was cut in a sleek, chin-length bob, and her subtle makeup played up her pretty eyes. She smiled up at me as she stood with her hand extended. “Molly Thurston?”

Nodding, I shook her hand, taking the chair opposite hers as she sat back down.

“I’m Clarice Stevens. I’m Rachel’s foster mom.”

I gasped, sucking in air at the sound of my sister’s name, my next words coming out in a rush. “How is she? Is she all right?”

“Yes, yes, she’s fine,” Clarice hastened to assure. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause you concern.”

My chin quivered as I blinked back tears at the thought of Rachel, missing her more than I allowed myself to think about. This woman got to be with Rachel every day and I was forbidden to have any contact with her.

“I came today because I wanted to talk to you. Rachel is doing well in school and seems to have adjusted to our family. I have two younger daughters and they get along together nicely.” Grinning, she added, “Sometimes, there are some girl squabbles in the house, but for the most part, everyone is great.”

I nodded my head in jerks, listening to her words, but not understanding the purpose of her visit. Forcing a smile on my face, I waited.

Tucking her hair behind her ear, she continued. “Rachel has had difficulties with nightmares and we have had her working with a counselor for the past several months. I believe that she has recently had some breakthroughs.”

“Oh, my God, is she okay?” My stomach quaked at the thought of my sister in pain.

Clarice’s eyes softened as she reached over to take my hand. “Yes, Molly. We’re making sure she has what she needs.”

Licking my lips, I looked at the woman sitting across from me then dropped my gaze down to our clasped hands. “And what does she need?”

“Right now she needs a safe place to talk about things and we are making sure she has that. I came today because, while she does not open up to me, the counselor indicated that I should reach out to you.”

I lifted my gaze to her face, wondering what she could want from me. “I don’t understand,” I confessed.

“I know that you will be released in a few more months and I have no idea what your plans are at that time. I also know that for now you have been court-ordered to not have contact with your sister.”

I winced at those words. While true, they still slashed through me. Me…the one person who would do anything to protect her was unable to be with her.

“But,” Clarice continued, pulling my gaze back to her face, “I wanted to come meet you and make sure that when you are released, you contact me.”