CHAPTER 10: The Driveway Witness

Tessa’s car rolled up as Nora reached the end of the porch.

Her sister stepped out quickly, eyes scanning Nora, Caleb, the door, the windows.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.”

“Is he safe?”

“Yes.”

Only then did Tessa breathe.

Nora placed Caleb in his car seat with hands that shook after the buckles clicked. She had held herself together through the table, the passport, the threat, and the door. Her body waited until the baby was secure before admitting fear.

Tessa wrapped an arm around her.

“You did it.”

Nora looked back at the house.

Daniel stood in the open doorway now, phone in hand. He was not calling the police. Arthur had probably stopped him, or perhaps his own attorney finally answered and explained that fathers who hide passports should not start emergency calls with righteous confidence.

Margaret appeared behind him, speaking fast.

Nora could not hear the words.

She did not need to.

She had lived inside those words for years.

Tessa touched her shoulder.

“Airport?”

Nora looked at Caleb sleeping in the car seat, one tiny hand open against his blanket.

“Airport,” she said.

The boarding pass on the table was not a symbol anymore.

It was a destination.