She hadn’t spoken to him in years.
Gary had turned him against her, telling her father she was an adulteress, a terrible cook, and a short-tempered mother who needed to be kept in line otherwise she’d make Zak’s life a misery.
When her father had believed the lies, believed Gary over her, Tammy had removed him from her heart and her thoughts. He was no better than her husband.
“What’s that?” Zak asked.
“A secret phone,” she whispered. “To call for help.”
“To call God?”
“No, baby, to call my uncle.”
“The good man?”
“Yes, that’s the one.” She looked up into the darkness, matching the noises to what Gary would be doing. He was searching the tipped-over dresser for an unbroken glass. Once he found that, he stomped to the kitchen pantry, retrieving a bottle of Jack D.
It would be a generous measure, she knew that much. Which was good. The more alcohol in his system, the sounder he’d sleep.
“Can I take Bilbo?” Zak asked. “When we leave.”
“Yes, of course. But he’ll have to be quiet too.”
“He’s always quiet, Mommy. He’s a toy rabbit.”
“That’s true.” She didn’t need much else other than Zak. Her purse, that was all. She had a secret stash of four hundredbucks sewn into the lining. It had taken a while, sneaking a few dollars here and there when she’d bought groceries, and each time she’d risked a slapping for it, but now it would be their ticket to a new life.
A new life where?
She had no idea.
As long as it wasn’t here. This was a living hell.
Gary’s footsteps went overhead again, and then up the stairs to the master bedroom.
Good.
She’d give it thirty minutes and then make the call she hoped would not just change her life, but save it.
Chapter Two
“Uncle Hudson.” Tammy swallowed, her mouth dry.
A pause then a gruff deep voice spoke one word. “Tammy?”
“Yes, it’s me.” A whisper.
“You’re in trouble.” It hadn’t been a question.
“Yes, but I can’t talk.” The thudding of her pulse in her ears threatened to drown out his voice.
“He beat you?”
“How did you…? Yes.”
“Could see it in his eyes, even on your wedding day. Rotten to the core, that lowlife husband of yours.”
Tammy was quiet, stunned that a wedding guest had thought of her groom that way.