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“Go ahead, Lu. Once it’s over I want to get right out of here,” Jackson says.
For once I’m grateful for Jackson’s bossiness.
She sighs. “Fine.”
“You staying here?” I ask him.
“Yeah, don’t want to lose our seats.”
We walk among the crowd and toward the long line at the bathroom. “I know another one,” I say to the girls. “Follow me.”
We walk down the hallway and turn right out of sight of everyone. I try the door, and it’s locked.
“Ugh, Mom! This is for teachers,” Tallulah says.
Bella is jumping up and down. “I need to pee.”
“Okay, hold on.” I find the key under the plant and put it in the lock.
“How did you…” Tallulah starts.
“Doesn’t matter. Come on.”
I lock the door behind us, and Bella goes into a stall.
I look at Tallulah. “I need you to listen to me. I did not take any pills that day. Your father put them in the drink I had. You see how controlling he’s been. I have never lied to you, and you must believe me now. We have to go. I’ll explain more, but I’m begging you to trust me on this.”
Bella comes out of the stall, her eyes wide.
“What’s happening?”
I open the window and point. “We need to go. I promise I’ll explain everything. I hoist Bella onto the ledge by the window and she crawls out. I turn and Tallulah is standing there, arms crossed, her face etched with indecision. “Lu, come on. You know in your heart what’s right. Please.”
Something in my voice must convince her because she follows her sister without another word. I breathe a sigh of relief and climb out next. I see the white Toyota 4Runner in the parking lot, and we run toward the car. I unlock it, and the girls and I get in. I wipe the perspiration from my lip as my heart races. I start the car and put it into reverse. Before it can move, a black Mercedes SUV pulls in behind me, blocking my exit. There are cars in front of and next to me, so there’s no escape. A shot of dread runs through me as I realize it’s Jackson’s. He leaps out of the car and bangs on my window. I open the window and he leans in. He doesn’t look angry or surprised. He looks smug.
He whispers so that the girls can’t hear. “Come on, Daph. Next time you make a plan, you might want to make sure it’s not in frontof one of the outdoor cameras.” He shakes his head. Then he looks at the girls. “I’m so glad I stopped you in time. Mom’s having delusions again. We need to get her help. Come on.”
The cameras. How stupid ofme.
I get out of the car, numb, and follow him to his SUV. Another car pulls up, and I realize it’s Chloe. Jackson turns to the girls.
“Chloe will take you home. I need to get Mom to the doctor.”
“No, I wanna stay with Mom,” Bella says.
Jackson crouches down so he’s on her level. “We’ll be home soon. I just need to talk to Mom alone first.”
“Mom said you drugged her,” Tallulah says, looking at him accusingly.
He tilts his head. “Your mom didn’t even drink the coffee I brought her. She drank one of the lemonades I brought for you girls. Do you really think I would have drugged your drinks?”
Tallulah seems to consider this. He goeson.
“Honey, I know this is scary. But drug addicts blame others. It’s not your mom’s fault. She needs help.”
“Jackson, come on, that’s not…”
He gives me a look of steel. “If you continue in denial, I’m afraid this arrangement won’t work.”