CHAPTER SIX: Needing to Escape
Caitie sat at Val's kitchen table. "Go play with your cousin Jaime." She said.
"But mama, I want to stay with you."
"Honey, I'm staying right here O.K. I have to talk to aunty Val."
"Are you going to leave me?"
"No baby. Go play all right?"
"O.K."
Caitie looked over at Val who was siting across from her, and Val starred back confused. Caitie
gave her the letter and studied Val's face. As Val read it, her facial expression grew to one of horror.
"Is it?" Val began. Caitie nodded her head yes.
"Val, I don't know what to do. I'm terrified. What if he means it? What if he comes for us? I mean, I
didn't even know he was out of prison, and look, there's no stamp on the envelope or return address
or anything. Just my name and address. How did he find me Val? How did he find me?"
Caitie was now crying in hysterics and Val went over to comfort her friend.
"I've got an idea!" Val said.
Caitie looked up at her ready to listen.
Val continued, "Maybe you and Jaime could disappear for a while. Go somewhere you don't think
he'd find you. Anywhere really. It could be like, a permanent vacation."
"And what am I supposed to do about money?"
"Tyler and I will support you. Give you whatever you need."
"Val no."
"Caitie listen. For your sake, and even more for your sons sake, take the money and get out of here.
You can't do it without our help. Do it for Jaime Caitie."
Caitie looked long and hard at her best friend. She really didn't want to do this, but what choice did
she have. She didn't have any money of her own, she could barely afford to even pay her rent, and
she needed desperately now to escape.
Caitie sat at Val's kitchen table. "Go play with your cousin Jaime." She said.
"But mama, I want to stay with you."
"Honey, I'm staying right here O.K. I have to talk to aunty Val."
"Are you going to leave me?"
"No baby. Go play all right?"
"O.K."
Caitie looked over at Val who was siting across from her, and Val starred back confused. Caitie
gave her the letter and studied Val's face. As Val read it, her facial expression grew to one of horror.
"Is it?" Val began. Caitie nodded her head yes.
"Val, I don't know what to do. I'm terrified. What if he means it? What if he comes for us? I mean, I
didn't even know he was out of prison, and look, there's no stamp on the envelope or return address
or anything. Just my name and address. How did he find me Val? How did he find me?"
Caitie was now crying in hysterics and Val went over to comfort her friend.
"I've got an idea!" Val said.
Caitie looked up at her ready to listen.
Val continued, "Maybe you and Jaime could disappear for a while. Go somewhere you don't think
he'd find you. Anywhere really. It could be like, a permanent vacation."
"And what am I supposed to do about money?"
"Tyler and I will support you. Give you whatever you need."
"Val no."
"Caitie listen. For your sake, and even more for your sons sake, take the money and get out of here.
You can't do it without our help. Do it for Jaime Caitie."
Caitie looked long and hard at her best friend. She really didn't want to do this, but what choice did
she have. She didn't have any money of her own, she could barely afford to even pay her rent, and
she needed desperately now to escape.