“Anger wears off, Shan. Three babies depend on you. Make sure this is the best choice for them.”
“I know.”
“Then tell me what happens tomorrow.”
I watched the road. “Tomorrow, I wake up in a house Ryan doesn’t control, and I start making choices before he makes them for me.”
“Then tell me what happens tomorrow.”
Shaun nodded. “Okay.”
“Don’t say okay unless you mean it.”
“I mean I’ll help you, sis. We’ll get the house safe for the babies.”
That loosened something in my chest.
***
At the first red light, my phone buzzed. Ryan had sent a picture of himself between Ian and Jason, raising a drink beside the water.
Shaun nodded.
“Finally getting the rest I earned.”
I saved it and showed it to Shaun.
Shaun glanced over. “Want me to say something?”
“No. I’m done explaining his behavior.”
***
When we reached the house I shared with Ryan, Mom was waiting beside the driveway. She touched each baby’s cheek, then faced me. Shaun had called her from the clinic when I was busy with the triplets.
“How was the checkup? Are they all right?”
“I’m done explaining his behavior.”
“They’re healthy.”
“And you?”
I almost said fine. Instead, I handed Shaun my phone. “Show her Ryan’s message.”
Mom read it once. Her mouth tightened. “What do you need, Shannon?”
“First, I need you to watch them while I make calls.”
“And after that?”
“What do you need, Shannon?”
“We open the old house, okay?”
She smiled and nodded.
***
Inside, Mom settled Luna on her shoulder.
“Attorney first,” I said. “Then movers. I’ll photograph everything before we pack.”
Shaun looked up. “And if Ryan calls?”
“We open the old house, okay?”
“I answer.”
“And if he tells you to stop?”
I took Soleil from her carrier and held her against me. “He can tell me whatever he wants. He doesn’t get to choose what I do next.”
Mom nodded. “Then make your calls.”
I opened my contacts, pressed the first number, and stepped into the kitchen.
“Then make your calls.”
Shaun watched me.
“This is your decision.”
“I know.”
Then I made the call.
***
That afternoon, I called an attorney while Mom fed Luna and Shaun folded the empty moving boxes.
“I own another house,” I said. “My husband is away, and I’m taking the babies there. What can I move?”
“I know.”
“Photograph everything,” she said. “Take your personal items and the babies’ essentials. Leave his property untouched. Save every message.”
I wrote it down.
“No shortcuts?” Shaun asked when I hung up.
“No. I want this as clean as possible.”
He picked up his screwdriver. “Then tell me where to start.”
I wrote it down.
“The cribs.”
Mom looked over. “And Ryan?”
