I shifted to face her. “He’s pretty great.”
“You look happy.”
“I am.”
“That’s good. It was all your mother ever wanted for you.”
I stiffened, my hands curling at my sides. “If that was true, she would’ve taken me with her or gone to the cops to get me out.”
Ginny’s lips pursed. “It’s not always that simple. You know that.”
My fingernails dug into my palms. I did know. Sometimes, leaving was far more terrifying than facing the pain you knew. “Have you heard from her at all?”
Ginny shook her head. “I remember hearing they’d found one of your dad’s trucks at the bus station, and I was so proud of her for getting out.” She opened and closed her mouth a few times before saying her next words. “She told me she was thinking about leaving. Said she was going to take you. I told her that she needed proof of his abuse if she had any hope of getting sole custody. I think that scared her a bit.”
Ginny lifted her eyes to mine. “I’m so sorry, Addie. I think that’s why she left you behind. It’s all my fault.”
38
BECKETT
Addie had been off since her conversation with Ginny. Nothing huge, but lost in her mind a little more. Her gaze would drift off into space like it did now, and I knew she wasn’t here with me. “Addie.”
She didn’t answer.
“Addie,” I tried again.
She jolted. “Sorry, what?”
“You sure everything’s okay?”
“Fine. Just thinking.”
“About?”
“My mom.”
My gut clenched. “I think that’s natural.”
She twisted her napkin between her fingers. “Did your friend have any luck finding her?”
“He called a week or two ago. He couldn’t find a trail.”
“There wouldn’t be,” Addie said softly.
I stayed quiet, silently asking for more.
“Some people want to stay under the radar. My dad always had several fake IDs ready in case we needed them. He and Everly’s dad used to make a competition out of who could make the better ones.”
“So, your mom knew how to do all of that.”
Addie nodded. “She helped him sometimes.” Her throat worked as she swallowed. “She could’ve taken me and made us both fake IDs.”
I reached over and pulled Addie’s chair towards mine. “She probably didn’t want that kind of life for you. Always on the run and memorizing new names.”
“It would’ve been better than what I had.”
I pulled her against me, brushing my lips against her hair. “I’m so sorry. Holt is still looking into some other avenues for information.”