Call For Help

Sunday afternoon, Ella rushed through the work she had to get done that day so that she could call Tim. She wished Mary worked on weekends so she could run her plans by her friend, and say goodbye, in case she was actually able to get out of the house that night. The idea had her stomach tied in knots. Would Teresa let her go, or would she cause an uproar? Would she send someone after her?
She’d hidden her new phone in the back of the attic in the same place where she’d hidden the one she’d stolen from Rome. Once the work was done, she listened to make sure no one was coming up the stairs and then sat down behind one of the large beams that supported the ceiling, her back pressed against it. That way, if someone walked in, she could hide the phone quickly and then get back to the other side of the room, hopefully without them wondering what she was doing.
Tim’s phone number was one of the few she had memorized. She punched it in and prayed he’d answer this time. He didn’t, probably because he didn’t recognize this number. Swearing under her breath, she waited for his recorded message to finish and then said, “Tim, it’s Ella. I need you to call me back on this number as soon as you can, okay? Don’t call Teresa. Just call me on this number. Soon. If I don’t answer, I’ll call you back, and I need you to answer. Bye.”
With a deep breath, she sat for a few moments, trying to calm her raging heart. She hadn’t spoken to Rome yet that day, even though she could’ve called him. It was important for her to talk to Tim first, to get a plan laid out, and then she would let Rome know what was happening.
The phone vibrated in her hand, sending her heart jumping into her throat. It was Tim; she recognized the number. She sucked in some air. “Hi, Tim.”
“Ella? What the hell is going on? I’m so confused. Are you all right?”
“I’m okay,” she said, trying to keep her voice calm. “I just need your help.”
“Yeah, I got your message yesterday. I called Teresa and just asked if you were okay, and she said you were fine. I didn’t mention anything you said on your last message, but I am worried as hell about you, Ella. Whose phone was that yesterday? Whose phone are you calling from now?”
“I borrowed a friend’s phone yesterday, but this one is mine. It’s a lot to explain, Tim, but the bottom line is, I need your help getting out of here. I don’t want it to be a big deal. I just need you to come around dinner time and insist that Teresa let me leave with you. I’m not coming back, though, so can I stay with you for a day or two until I figure out what to do?”
It took him a second to process all of that before he said, “Of course, you can stay with me for as long as you need to, as long as you want to. But Ella, I don’t understand why you need to. What’s going on?”
A thousand thoughts jumbled together in her mind as she debated whether or not to tell him the whole truth, or even part of the truth. “It’s complicated, Tim. I thought… I thought Teresa had my best interests at heart, but now, I don’t think she does. I just want to get away from here. Then, I’ll talk to my dad and see what I can straighten out. Can you just make sure I get out of here with you tonight?”
“Absolutely. What about all of your stuff?”
“I don’t think there’s much to take. Just the picture of my mom, my journal, and a few other things.” She wished she would’ve thought to send that stuff with Rome the night before. “I think it will all fit in a purse, but I’m not sure how I can get that downstairs.”
“Everything you want to take with you will fit in a handbag?”
“Pretty much.”
‘What about all of your clothes, Ella?”
“I don’t have many. The ones I do aren’t very nice. The dress you gave me is already out of the house. I sent it with a friend.”
“And this friend can’t help you get the rest?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because Teresa didn’t know that friend was in the house. If she did, she would have had a fit.”
“You’re not allowed to have friends over?”
“No.”
Tim blew out a hot breath. “How long has this been going on?”
“The whole time.”
“El! Why didn’t you tell me?’
“It’s complicated.” Ella thought she heard footsteps on the stairs, so she froze. Once she was sure no one was coming, she said, “Listen, I don’t know how much longer I can talk. I can’t let her know I have a phone. I’ll figure out a way to get some of my stuff out, okay? Just… don’t take no for an answer tonight, okay?”
“Ella, I can come over there right now and get you. She’ll let me in, and once I’m in the house, I’m not leaving without you.”
“She will if you come over now, Tim. You won’t even get to see me.”
“Why not? I’ll just charge upstairs to your room and get you out.”
“You won’t be able to do that.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“Because the door’s locked.”
“I’ll bust it down!”
That actually made her smile because she realized how much he loved her. “Tim, just come for dinner, all right? I’d rather avoid the drama if I can help it.”
He didn’t like it. She could tell by how loudly he was breathing. “Fine. I’ll wait, but so help me God, Ella, if she pisses me off, knowing just the smidge of information I know now, I will do what I have to do to get you out of there.”
“I know. Thanks, Tim. I love you.”
“I love you, too, El. So much. You’re my little cousin. You’re like a sister to me. I missed out on all of those years with you while you were in France, but at least we could talk online. Now, God, if I had had any idea….”
“I know. I know. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“All right. Be careful.”
“I will be. Bye.” She hung up, glad she’d called but afraid of what might happen when he got there. Clearly, Tim was not messing around, and she was glad he was on her side.
Once she’d completely recovered her ability to breathe, Ella dialed Rome’s number. He answered immediately. “Hi. Are you okay?” he asked, urgency in his voice.
“Hi. I’m okay. How are you?”
Rome groaned. “I miss you. Other than that, I’m okay. Have you spoken to Tim?”
“I have. He’s going to get me out tonight at dinner. I’m not sure what to do with the stuff that I want to keep. There’s not a lot of it, but there are a few things. I’m considering putting it in a bag and putting it under my shirt, but then I’d probably have to wear a jacket or something to hide it.”
“Can you lower it down into the bushes beneath your window? I can come and get it tonight.”
That was a solution she hadn’t even thought about. “I suppose I could do that somehow. With the roof line there, it’s hard to see where it might end up. I also don’t know when the landscapers will be working on that side of the house.”
“Then I’ll come and get it now.”
Ella scoffed. “You can’t do that. Someone will see you.”
“No they won’t. I’m stealthy. Besides, I’ve already done it twice and haven’t been caught.”
“At night. Not in the middle of the day.”
“It’s Sunday. Everyone is watching TV or taking a nap.”
“It’s okay. I don’t want you to risk that. Really, all I have to take is a picture and my drawing journal.”
“I can’t wait to see your drawings. But don’t forget your phone and the charger.”
“Right.” Could she fit that in her pants? Maybe if she wore really baggy sweatpants. She could sew some extra pockets into the insides of them. “All right. I’ll figure it out.”
“Ella, be careful. I know Tim will get you out of there, but don’t get hurt. And don’t let her take you somewhere else. Never let them take you to a second location.”
“You make it sound as if she’s trying to murder me.” She rolled her eyes, but then, she wasn’t exactly sure Teresa wouldn’t try to kill her--given the opportunity.
“Just be cautious, okay, baby? I want to see you again, soon. And if that bitch does anything to hurt you….”
“She won’t.” Ella was certain she heard footsteps on the stairs. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you as soon as I can. Love you.” She hung up before she could hear what he said in return and quickly shoved the phone into the wall, just making it around to her desk when the lock turned. It was Teresa.
“What are you doing?”
“Work,” Ella said, moving her mouse around. “I’ve got a few more things to turn in today.”
Teresa looked around the room like she was trying to find something that didn’t belong. “I thought I heard you talking.”
“Yeah, I do that sometimes. It helps me think.”
Teresa wasn’t buying that. “Your cousin just called.”
Ella arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Yes. He’s coming for dinner tonight. I may tell him you’re not feeling well, and that you’ve decided to stay in your room. You deserve a punishment for going out the other night when you knew I didn’t want you to.”
Ella swallowed hard. Tim wouldn’t believe her. He’d cause a scene. Would he fight to get her out of the attic? “Whatever you think is best, Mother. Tim may become upset if he isn’t allowed to see me, though. He asked me many questions about why I couldn’t go out with him Friday night, and while I did my best to assure him all is well, I’m not sure he believed me.”
“Well, you’d better make him believe you.” Her eyes were narrowed as she stared at Ella.
“I will, Mother. But if he can’t see me, he might become suspicious.”
She sighed and pressed her hand to her forehead. “I will think about it.”
“Yes, Mother. Thank you, Mother.”
Teresa turned, mumbling about how much she did for Ella, even though she didn’t deserve it, and headed toward the door. Ella heard the sound of the lock and prayed that was the last time she ever heard that revolting noise for the rest of her life.