Chapter 11

Melinda paced the room, her heart pounding as she dialed her mother’s number. Her fingers trembled slightly, and her mind was a storm of thoughts. She had rehearsed this conversation a hundred times in her head but knew that nothing could truly prepare her for it. The phone rang twice before Lori's voice came through, strained and full of worry.

“Melinda? Is that you?” Lori’s voice was shaky, as if she’d been crying.

“Yes, Mom. It’s me,” Melinda replied softly, her throat tightening. She swallowed hard, trying to maintain her composure. “Are you okay?”

There was a pause on the other end, and then Lori let out a breath. “I don’t know, sweetheart,” she said. “I woke up yesterday morning, and... God, Melinda, the back of the house… it’s been destroyed. The walls were knocked down in pieces. I thought it was a storm at first, but there was no storm, no wind. It looked like something—or someone—had torn it apart.”

Melinda clenched her jaw, her heart sinking deeper into her chest. She closed her eyes, envisioning the damage. Sylvester and Derek. Their fight had gotten out of hand, way worse than she had thought. She should have stayed to stop it, should have done something. But now, the consequences of their actions had landed squarely on her mother’s shoulders.

“Mom, I—” Melinda’s voice wavered, but she stopped herself. How could she explain? She couldn't tell her the truth, that two men—dangerous men—had fought like wild animals outside her home. That it was her fault for letting it all spiral out of control. She couldn’t tell her mother that.

“I was so scared, Melinda,” Lori continued, her voice breaking. “You weren’t answering your phone. I called and called, but nothing. I didn’t know if something had happened to you, or—God, I thought you might have been taken, kidnapped or something. I went to the police, but they didn’t help. They said they couldn’t find you. Do you know what that’s like? Not knowing if your daughter is alive or dead?”

The raw emotion in Lori’s voice ripped through Melinda’s heart. Guilt weighed heavily on her. She could imagine her mother, alone and terrified, standing amidst the ruins of their home, wondering if her daughter was safe. She wanted to reach through the phone and hold her, tell her it would all be okay. But it wasn’t that simple.

“Mom, listen to me,” Melinda said gently, forcing her voice to steady. “I’m okay. I swear I’m fine. I just… I can’t come home right now.”

There was a brief silence before Lori responded, her voice now laced with confusion and fear. “Why can’t you come home, Melinda? If you’re okay, why can’t you come back? Oh God… Have they taken you?” Her voice grew frantic again. “Is that why you can’t come home? Are you being held somewhere? Tell me. I’ll pay whatever they want, whatever ransom they’re asking for. Just tell me where you are, and I’ll get you out. Please.”

“No, Mom!” Melinda said quickly, alarmed. “I’m not kidnapped. No one has taken me.”

“Then why won’t you come home?” Lori’s voice cracked, and Melinda could hear her mother’s breathing grow more labored, the panic setting in.

“I—” Melinda paused, searching for words. How could she explain that it wasn’t safe for her to return? That the mess she was entangled in was far too dangerous, even for her? “I just can’t. Not yet. I need some time, Mom. But I’m safe, I promise.”

“You’re not making any sense, Melinda.” Lori’s sobs started to break through. “Why are you keeping things from me? Why won’t you let me help you? I’m your mother. I’ve been here, worried sick, thinking the worst has happened to you. And now, you won’t even come home?”

Melinda’s heart ached as she listened to her mother break down on the other end of the line. She hated herself for putting Lori through this, but there was no way she could return, not with Sylvester and Derek still lurking around. Not until she had a plan to deal with the chaos she had become a part of.

“Mom, I wish I could explain everything,” Melinda whispered, her voice barely holding together. “But I need you to trust me right now. I’m not in any danger. I promise. I’ll be fine.”

Lori sniffled. “You sound like you’re in danger, Melinda. You sound like you’re in some kind of trouble. And you won’t let me help.”

“I know it sounds bad,” Melinda admitted, trying to soothe her mother. “But it’s not what you think. I just need to stay away for a little while, and then I’ll come back. I swear, I will.”

“Stay away?” Lori repeated. “For how long? And why? None of this makes sense, honey. I don’t understand.”

“I don’t know how long, Mom. But I’ll keep in touch. I’ll send you some money too, just so you know I’m okay. I’m not asking for anything from you. I just need some time.”

Lori let out a trembling breath, her voice now thick with exhaustion. “Money? Why would you send me money, Melinda? If you’re really okay, come home. Forget the money. I just want you here, with me.”

Melinda’s stomach twisted at the desperation in her mother’s voice. Lori was right—money wasn’t going to fix this. But it was the only tangible thing she could offer right now, the only proof that she was still out there, alive and able to help in some small way. She hoped it would be enough to keep Lori from spiraling further.

“I know it’s not what you want, Mom,” Melinda said, fighting back her own tears. “But it’s the best I can do for now. I love you, and I’ll be back soon. I swear.”

“But what if you don’t come back? What if something happens to you? I’ve already lost so much, Melinda. I can’t lose you too.” Lori’s voice broke completely, and her sobs filled the phone line.

Melinda pressed her hand to her mouth, biting down on her lip to keep from crying. She wished she could tell her mother the truth, but that truth was too dark, too dangerous. She had made promises she didn’t know if she could keep. But right now, her mother needed reassurance, not more uncertainty.

“I’m coming back, Mom,” Melinda whispered. “I swear I am. Just give me some time. I’ll figure everything out, and then I’ll come home.”

Lori’s sobs quieted, though her breathing remained uneven. “Okay,” she said softly, her voice barely audible. “I believe you. But please… please don’t stay away too long. I don’t think I can take much more of this.”

“I won’t,” Melinda promised, though her heart weighed heavily with doubt.

After a long pause, Lori spoke again. “Just… stay safe, Melinda. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing. Stay safe.”

“I will,” Melinda said softly. “I love you, Mom.”

“I love you too, sweetheart. More than anything.”

Melinda hung up the phone and went into a corner of the room, the weight of her decisions pressing down on her. She had managed to calm her mother, but only for now. The storm she had created still loomed large, and she wasn’t sure if she could escape it. But for her mother’s sake, she had to try.