Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174623 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 698(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
"Yes," she says. "If it can be considered mine, then I'd like to have it."
"And make him even madder?" Daisy snaps. "Do you have any idea what he will do to you if you take his car?"
"Daisy," I say, locking my eyes on hers. "Your father is going to jail. He is going to be charged with drinking and driving. He won't be able to drive it."
She glares at me, the same way she did the other morning, as if she hates me on sight for simply existing in her space.
"Hold that thought," I tell her as I stand. "Let me see what I can do."
I rush to the front, taking a moment to look out the window.
The cop car with Dana's husband in it is gone, but the other cop is still there, talking with one of the Cerberus guys. I haven't even had a chance to put my earpiece in, or I would just step away from the family and use that to communicate with them.
I open the front door, knowing I'll get his attention when the alert sounds in his earpiece. Within a few seconds, he turns to face me, holding up his hand and stopping the cop who begins to walk in this direction.
"They okay?" he asks.
"They've had better days," I answer.
"I can imagine," he says.
"Umm. Mr..."
"Just call me Holler, ma'am," he says, a gentle smile on his face.
"Dana, the wife is asking about the car," I tell him.
"She wants it?" he asks, looking over his shoulder. "We were going to have it towed."
"She'd like to avoid the towing fee if possible."
I watch as he holds a finger up, telling me someone is talking in his ear.
"We're going to have it cleaned and stored off property until she wants to drive it," he says.
"That easy?"
He dips his head. "That easy."
"Thank you," I say before stepping back inside and closing the door.
I stick my head in the office, noticing Denise is still in there.
"I told her not to open the door, but I couldn't physically stop her from doing it," she says.
"I know," I say.
"Doesn't help the kids any," she mutters.
"It might," I counter. "A little reminder that he isn't going to change anytime soon might help some."
"That little boy is never going to get a good night's sleep," she says with a sigh.
"The father is going to jail, so it might come sooner than we all think."
"Let's hope they can keep him there this time. He's only been out a few days. They released him on bond after his assault charge, and within a week, he was picked up again for drinking and driving, and then released again. I don't understand why they can't just keep these men in jail."
"Makes no sense," I mutter. "I'm going to go back in there with the family.
"I'm going to call Victoria and report the incident," she says.
"Think it'll be okay to have an unscheduled group later today?" I ask.
"I think it's a great day for it," she says. "Melissa and Caroline are both off today, and it'll give Kayla a chance to meet everyone and get better acquainted."
"Perfect," I tell her before heading back to the living room.
"You said we weren't having pancakes this morning," Dean says, looking at Andrea.
"I was mistaken," she says with a smile. "Daisy, I also scored a fresh watermelon yesterday. Wanna help me cut it up?"
"You get to use a knife?" Dean asks with awe in his voice.
"Yeah," Daisy says as she stands and walks toward the kitchen. "Because I'm not a baby."
I wait for both of them to leave the room before taking a seat on the sofa beside Dana. The house has an open floor plan, meaning we can see the kids with Andrea in the kitchen, but if we talk in low tones, they won't be able to hear us.
"The guys outside said they're going to clean the car and store it off the property, but it's yours when you need it."
"I'm going to have to get a job." She sighs, pressing her forehead into her hands. "It's not paid off."
I make no promises about financial assistance for the car because I'm not sure how funding works, but I make a note to look into it later. There's also the issue of it being marital property, which is one more thing to fight over in the impending divorce.
"Is it horrible that I've prayed he would wrap that thing around a tree and die?"
I grab the box of tissues and offer it to her when she looks over at me with tears in her eyes.
"I'm not a counselor," I say, giving her a sad smile.
"Have you ever wished your abuser was dead?"
"Only a couple of times so far today," I answer honestly as I look at my watch. "But it's not even eight yet."