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“What about finding Molly?”

“Absolutely, that’s one thing that should be at the top of your list, but neither of us know how long that will take. And, when you find her, you will still need money and a job. Why not take advantage of the time you have now to get a head start? There are other things to consider as well. You need an I.D. Have you got a driver’s license or a passport?”

“No, neither. I have my birth certificate though.”

“Okay good. Let me help you organize the basics. Please, Faith, it makes me uncomfortable knowing you have nothing set up.”

Carmen sat waiting for Faith to decide. She could understand Faith’s reticence at accepting help. Faith was proud and wanted to make her own way, without others interfering. She’d clearly had enough of that at home and needed control.

After a few more minutes of silent contemplation, Faith inhaled deeply. “Thank you, Carmen. I would really appreciate your help.”

“Excellent. Let’s get started.”

???

Carmen was exhausted. Who knew setting up someone’s life would be so draining. Thank God for Mateo, who strolled in at 5:30 p.m. armed to the teeth with food and beer—and soda for Faith.

“You are my hero,” Carmen gushed. Hours on the phone trying to help Faith had seriously depleted her batteries.

“How was your day? You look terrible.”

“Mateo. We need to work on this. You telling me I look like crap every five minutes is not cool.”

“Carmen, you need to get out of the house once in a while. You’re turning white. It’s summer in Seattle and you have zero tan.”

“It’s my fault,” Faith interjected. “Carmen has been helping me sort out a few things that took nearly all day.”

“How about we take dinner outside?” Carmen suggested. Mateo was right, she needed some Vitamin D.

With the outside table set up, Carmen, Mateo and Faith ate, drank and chatted about their day. Everything seemed fine until she noticed Faith squirming in her seat.

“Hey, what’s going on with you?”

“I called Alice last night,” Faith began. Carmen set her beer down on the table. “She told me my parents left the house looking for me.”

“Okay, but you expected that, right?” Mateo asked softly.

“Yeah, I did. But now it’s happening, I’m scared. Guys, if he finds me, I don’t know what he’ll do.”

“How would he know where you are, though? Even if he traced you to Seattle, how would he get this address?”

Faith pinched the bridge of her nose. “The same way I did.”

“Faith?”

“I found a letter in his office. Molly wrote to him several times over the years, updating him of her whereabouts. Clearly she is a better person than him, because he was awful to her, yet she still wanted to keep in touch with her brother.”

“So he has the address?”

“I think we should presume he does.”

“But he doesn’t know for sure you were heading this way?” Carmen asked, needing clarification.

“No.”

“We should prepare for the worst,” Mateo added.

Carmen hated this. “What do you want to do?” Faith had to take the lead. If it were up to Carmen, well… what she had in mind wouldn’t help anyone, but it might make her feel better. There seemed to be no justice in this world for assholes like Faith’s father.