Home Sweet Borrowed Home
Tim’s apartment was gorgeous and spacious. It was on the top floor of a luxury apartment building that overlooked a golf course, so the view out Ella’s window--the guest room that he insisted she could claim for as long as she wanted or needed to--was beautiful. Trees bloomed in vibrant shades of red, white, and pink, with floral bushes surrounding their trunks. Beyond them, a rolling field of green filled her view. The sky was still blue, though twilight was falling, and she could see the first stars pinning themselves above her where the night and day had rolled together to make a soft, inky blue.
Her cousin was in his room on the other side of the apartment. They’d talked for a bit once she’d arrived. He’d called his mom, who’d been absolutely livid when she found out the truth. Tim insisted he was taking Ella to buy some clothes so she’d have something clean, comfortable, and stylish to wear the next day. Stylish wasn’t as much of a concern to her as the first two. She had several shirts with her because she was wearing them all, but the baggy sweatpants she had on were so hideous, she doubted she’d feel confident wearing them anywhere. It might be like a scene from that movie, Pretty Woman, where the girl goes shopping and gets tossed out for not looking like she was in the right place.
At least Tim would be with her to help her in every way. She’d find something at the first store and wear it out so that she’d fit in better anywhere else she went. But for now, she needed to call Rome.
Her hand was shaking as she pulled the phone to her ear. If Tim overheard her, he wouldn’t ask too many questions, and she certainly wouldn’t get in trouble--as long as she didn’t say who she was talking to. It wasn’t like it was before when she was home, but she was used to feeling as if she was about to get into trouble for anything and everything.
Rome answered on the first ring. “Ella?”
“Hi. It’s me.”
He let out a long sigh. “Thank God. Where are you, baby? Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m at Tim’s apartment.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. How was it? Did she try to make you stay?”
Tears were rolling down her face as she thought about what she’d just been through. “She didn’t want to let me come down for dinner. She told him I was sick. But he was persistent, and I left with him, even though she didn’t want me to. Then, on the way to his apartment, Tim called my dad.”
“Oh, that must’ve been hard. How did it go?”
“I’m not sure. He talked to Tim a lot longer than he talked to me. I’m not sure he believed me. I’m sure he called Teresa, and she probably convinced him I’m crazy.”
“I wouldn’t worry about that, baby. You’re not crazy. Your dad will come around. She can’t hide her evil forever.”
His words made her feel so much better. Just knowing he was there, that he loved her, and she’d always be safe because he would never let anything happen to her, gave her strength. “Tim is going to take me to get some new clothes, so I can’t talk long.”
“But you can talk later, right? Can you meet me somewhere?”
Ella thought of the car her dad had bought her, the one she’d never even seen. If she had that, she could. “Probably not tonight,” she said, reluctantly. “I think Tim will feel better if I’m here where he knows that I’m safe. I can call you, though.”
“I guess that will have to do for now. Okay, God, Ella, I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, babe. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“I can’t wait to see you. My arms feel so empty without you in them.”
That brought a smile to her face. “I can’t wait to be in your arms again. I love you.”
“I love you more than anything.”
Ella hung up, and even though it was one of the worst days of her life, she couldn’t help but feel blessed that such an amazing man loved her with all of his heart.
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