With All That I Am: Blood, Sweat, and Tears

Phone Call

Winter sat on the floor with her back against the couch as Giselle lay on her back and played with her toys. Rocky sat beside her. She absently scratched his back as she tried to make up her mind. She glanced at her watch and then around the room before she typed in Jake's number. He could have changed it in the past two years, but... She dialed and put the phone to her ear. The phone rang four times. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried and then...

"Hello?"

Winter let out a long breath. "Jake?"

"Winter, are you okay?" he asked immediately.

She dropped her face into her hand. She wasn't sure what she was. "Yes, I'm okay. Are you?"

"I'm back in Seattle."

"You still live in the same place?"

"Of course."

She bit her lip. "Jake, you can't stay there. I tried to talk to her, but..."

"No one can control her. That's why that guy tranquilized her."

Winter froze. "You saw?"

"Yes. You're in danger, Winter."

He had no idea. "So are you. I'm so sorry—"

"I shouldn't have interfered in your life. You left me for my own good. I realize that now."

"I don't know what she's going to do, Jake."

"Did she hurt you?" he asked sharply.

"No."

"Don't worry about me. I can take care of myself."

"How?" she snapped and then her spine snapped as she sat up straight.

"You're not going to go to the cops, are you?"

"Would that do any good?"

"Probably not."

"Then I'll handle it."

Her gut clenched. "I want you to keep in touch with me. I have to make sure..."

"Make sure I'm breathing?"

"Call me everyday, morning and night."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"I don't care!"

"Winter, calm down."

"How can you be so cavalier about this? You saw her yesterday."

"I did." A pause and then, "I'm worried about you."

"You should be more worried about yourself."

"I never imagined you were hiding something like this." He sighed. "That's life. Sometimes you're stupid enough to fall for a girl who used to date an underground leader. That's the luck of the draw."

"This isn't a joke."

"I know," he said, sounding more sober. "I'll be in touch."

"Call me when you go to work and when you come home."

"Isn't she monitoring your phone?"

Karina had in the past. It's why she hesitated to call Jake, but she couldn't handle the suspense of not knowing whether he was alive or not. "She has more important things to do."

"If you say so."

"Call me when you get off work," she ordered.

"Yes, ma'am. Stay safe, Winter."