“Pay her how much? In the millions, I bet. I hate that woman so much.”
“Yes, Mom. It is a lot, but I need to get Alex back. You understand that.”
“I’m coming over to be with you. I’m calling a cab right now.”
“No, Mom, you don’t have to do that… I have it under control. I just didn’t want you to hear it from anywhere else, that’s all. I know you will worry, but I don’t want you to freak out…”
“No way, I’m not sitting around here while you go through this. I won’t be able to stay still.”
“Okay, Mom.” I know that I won’t be able to calm her down now. “I guess I’ll see you soon then.”
I hang up the phone just in time as Mia comes thundering up the stairs two at a time. “The police are coming. There is an officer or two on the way now… are you okay? You look all freaked out.”
“My mom is on the way now. I guess you’ll be meeting her.”
I don’t know what that look in Mia’s eye means, I don’t know what the look in my eyes mean. I barely know anything anymore. I’m just all raw and exposed, more vulnerable than I’ve ever been before, and I’m glad that she’s here. I wouldn’t want anyone else in the world by my side through this crisis.
“Okay, well that’s okay, there isn’t anything to worry about. Let’s get all prepared.”
“Can you help me count the money? I want to get it done quickly.”
She nods and watches as I pile the notes out, onto the bed. I can see that she’s shocked, but she gets on with it all the same. She counts it out, keeping her shock inside. Thank goodness, because I can’t deal with anything else than I already have right now. I’m literally on the edge.
* * *
My home has become a circus, there are people everywhere. Jenny’s sister has come out to support her since she refuses to leave until Alex is back, my mom is talking away to the endless police officers that are marching through here, I feel like I’ve lost all control of the situation. It’s only Mia keeping me insane.
Hayley: I hope the money is ready. Only an hour left.
Hayley: Why are you ignoring me again? I’m getting impatient.
Hayley: Half an hour left…
“Don’t worry about the messages,” Mia says reassuringly while rubbing my arm. “She’s desperate.”
I nod along with her, knowing that she’s been an angel. “I know, thank you.”
“Are you all prepared? You know the plan, right?”
“I’m just worried about the cops following me. What if Hayley sees and things go bad?”
“That isn’t going to happen. They know what they are doing. They probably do this sort of thing more than you think. The police know what’s at stake and they want you to succeed.”
“Yeah, I just… I can’t stop being nervous about it.”
She leans her head softly against me and I take the body warmth from her gratefully. I’ve been icy cold ever since I first got that phone call from Jenny with those dreadful life altering words.
“Your mom is an awesome woman. She seems very strong.”
“Yeah, I don’t know how I’m going stop her from kicking Hayley’s ass for this. She hates her.”
I watch my mom talking animatedly to the police officers about everything that’s been happening for years now. She’s probably going into far too much detail for them, making it more complicated than it needs to be, but I don’t have the inner strength to stop it. I’ve just lost all the power that I usually have inside.
“Are you ready for eight o clock? We probably should get ready to go in a moment.”
I glance at my watch for what feels like the millionth time. “Yeah, I agree.”
Mia takes control again and she goes about the room telling everyone that it’s time to think about leaving. Gratitude runs through my body as I witness her sorting it all out. Honestly, she’s incredible. How did I ever think it a good idea to keep myself a secret from her? She’s everything, she would understand it all. I think back to our relationship and I imagine just letting her in. How different things could be now. I could have it all. This mess with Hayley probably wouldn’t have even happened because Mia would have told me how to handle it. She would have me sorted. I should’ve given her a chance, I was a freaking idiot.