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Regina's first weekend in Camden arrived and she had a long list of things to do. Henry had already taken care of the second story of the large white house. The windows were secured, alarms installed, and emergency bags were packed and ready to pick up and go.

Each bag comprised of a new identity, a first aid kit, clothes, new phones, and money. Thrown in were a few family pictures in case the old were left behind.

The bottom floor was a little trickier, but she'd spent the better part of her Saturday morning seeing to the windows. When she installed the last of the alarms, she set to fixing lunch in the kitchen.

Opening the refrigerator, she glanced in the bottom drawer at the lunch meat. She'd just hid a Rugar .22 earlier that morning in the pantry in a lockbox and hid it behind a box of rice on the top shelf. Precaution was necessary. Pulling out fixings for sandwiches and salad, she got to work. The soothing task of putting a meal together helped her nerves to settle.

Thinking of her first week in Camden made her smile. Her classroom was set up exactly how she'd wanted it. The children were getting used to her and the new schedule, and she loved them.

Teaching had been in her blood since she was in high school and watched her father lead a room of inquisitive minds. Her father had been a high school teacher for a few dozen years. His soft-spoken voice and easy way of explaining things were to be admired.

As a child, she recalled his endless patience and ability to protect her against anyone aimed to hurt her. It was a shame that he'd passed away years earlier and couldn't be there to defend her now. It always brought her a pang of regret that she never got to attend the funeral.

Simon had been there, she recalled. Seeing him in the newsletter had told her, her gut had been right to not show up. It wasn't safe. It was a trap she avoided.

Being in this town near the water with greenery and a small-town charm had been the next step. It was hard getting used to a new town, new people, and new routine every few months. However, it was what she needed to do to keep Henry safe.

So, she put plates with sandwiches, olives and pickles, and a small chef salad on the dining room table. She called up for Henry to come down on the new intercom system she'd installed.

Pouring tea, she sat as Henry walked in. "I just finished the bags. I also found a space in the hot water heater closet that we could put an extra safety box behind. Just in case we can't get to the basement."

It pained her to think he was as afraid as she. "Sit down, let's eat and talk about something else. Have you made any friends?"

Henry was washing his hands as he rattled on and she listened. "Well, I met a boy named Carl and his sister Penny. I ate lunch with them for the last few days." He sat and picked up his sandwich. With a mouth full, he asked, "Got any chips?"

Smiling, she stood and took out his favorite barbecue lays from the pantry, and set the bag on the table. "If you eat the vegetables, too."

Nodding, he asked, "So, what about you?"

Taking her tea, she sipped and plopped an olive in her mouth. "Maggie is introducing me to her husband, David this afternoon. Robin and Roland, his son is tagging along while we go to a diner."

"Oh. Well, that's good. You need to get out of this house. It's big but kinda lonely. Don't you think?"

She pursed her lips and looked around the homey kitchen. "Henry, I'll make sacrifices for as long as it takes. Don't worry about me. Just try to have fun and let me worry about feeling lonely."

Taking a hefty bite of sandwich, she watched her eyes turn to sorrow knowing that she was lonely and that it hadn't been the easiest life.

"Since the house is done, can I go to the pier with Carl? He called and asked, but I won't go if you don't want me to." The anticipation was wafting off him in waves, he looked at her with hopeful eyes.

Anxiety rose in her chest, "Who are you going with? I don't want you out there on your own."

Chip crumbs littered his shirt front and he smiled, "Carl's dad, Ryder, is going with us. He's big and strong and I'm sure he'll protect us. It'll be fine, mom. Dad doesn't know where we are."

Letting her stomach settle, she picked up a pickle and took a bite, "I suppose that's true. Just be careful and make sure to take your bag. Just in case. You know the rules, text me every hour."

"Got it. Can I go play video games now? I'm stuffed."

She had to chuckle at him. "Yes, clean yourself up first. Henry, look at your shirt. Come on."

He looked down and brushed the crumbs off his shirt and took care of his plate. "I love you, mom," he said after he kissed her cheek.

Her heart softened, "I love you, too. Muffin." It made him grin and he disappeared upstairs to his room.

The diner was filled with people when Regina walked into the cheery lobby. A young woman with long dark hair and bright blue eyes smiled with her red painted lips. Her outfit was entirely too revealing for a diner, but she didn't comment on it.

"Welcome to Lucas' Diner. Go on and take a seat wherever your heart desires. I'll come to take your order in a minute."

Regina politely smiled, "Actually, I'm meeting someone here. Maggie?"

The woman turned her head and poked her hip out, "The third booth on the left next to the window. The table's a bit crowded."

Nodding, she thanked her and slipped out of her coat. Draping it over her arm, she walked down and spotted Maggie with the man she assumed was her husband.

Maggie was wearing a cream-colored sweater with pearls around her neck and at her ears. Her crop of dark hair had been smoothed and parted slickly to the left. To her right, a man with blue eyes and blonde hair looked up.

"Oh, Regina. There you are, sit. This is David, my husband."

Taking his hand, she smiled, "It's nice to meet you, David." Spotting a coat hanger in the corner, she stepped to it and draped her coat and stuffed her gloves in the pocket.

When she walked back, she spotted Robin walking in with Roland at his side, the boy's eyes were on the floor. Regina smiled politely at him and slipped into the booth next to the window.

Robin slipped in next to her and gave her arm an absent squeeze. She went rigid and scooted closer to the window. "Hi, guys. Sorry, we're late. Little man had a bit of a tantrum. He's better now, right?"

Roland sat on the chair with the booster seat and nodded as his dark eyes slid down to the table. Regina saw the look of sadness in him.

The woman with the dark hair and red lips walked up and rested her hip to the side. Her red skirt was too far above her knees, her button-up shirt could be fastened a button or two more.

"So, what's it gonna be? I've got fresh wine and bread. We've also got a few poppers left." Regina glanced at her heels and winced wondering how a woman could wear those willingly. It could give you a nosebleed.

David spoke with authority and ease like he'd ordered for them for years, "We'll have it all. I'll take the iced tea."

Robin looked at Regina as a ladies first gesture, "Wine would be good, thank you. Red."

Robin said, "I'll have an apple juice and water. Thanks, Ruby."

With a smile, she glared down at him, "I'll get that right out. You owe me a shot. I expect you to pay up sooner or later." Her arm punched him lightly on the shoulder in a friendly playful gesture.

Regina noticed his cheeks pale a bit, "Another time."

When she walked away, Maggie looked at him disapprovingly, "Again? When are you going to stop that?"

His eyes darted to David's smirk and to his son who was tearing up the napkin on the table. "A little gambling never hurt anyone. Plus, I nearly had her."

David laughed, "Right. When have you ever won a game with Ruby?"

With shrunken shoulders, he sighed, "I suppose you're right. Ah, well. What are you gonna do? She's good company."

Regina felt a little lost, but she settled in to watch their interactions. She'd become a people watcher in the last few years. It was easy to tell what kind of people they were and whether she needed to worry.

Luckily, so far, she'd gotten good vibes from them and their small town bantering was surprisingly appealing.

When she looked at Maggie, she explained, "Ruby, our waitress, dominates in cards. She learned it from her grandfather and has yet to lose to anyone. Robin, who can't resist a wager, loses to her once a week."

"That's a bit of a stretch. I remember taking a couple of months off when Marian put her foot down." His laugh was appealing, too. It made her uncomfortable to think about it.

"How long did that last? I remember you showed up right when you convinced her it wasn't a big deal. You lost fifty bucks that night and she scolded you." David's eyes were playful, and she found him to be soft and gentle.

Under the table, she noticed Robin's fist clench and relax quickly. If she hadn't have glanced down at her shoe, she'd have missed it. "It seems she needs someone to rock her streak. What's her game?"

The table all looked at her with amused expressions on their faces. "What?" Regina looked innocently at them as if she didn't lay out a challenge.

Maggie laughed, "I've never heard anyone say it quite that bluntly. Poker. You won't find anyone as good as Ruby in the state."

Regina had played poker with and without cards for years. It was a matter of controlling her emotions and her facial expressions. She'd even trained her body not to express what it was feeling.

The only feeling she couldn't get a handle on was fear. It made her tremble and shake; her face pale and her eyes darken. It wasn't something she would face playing a friendly hand of poker.

Ruby walked up and set down drinks from the tray she carried with her left hand. Regina interrupted her before she could take their order.

"I was told you play a mean hand at poker." Regina looked up and smiled as sweetly as she could manage. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Robin smirk.

"That's right. You play?" She'd tucked the empty tray under her arm and crossed them in defense.

"I've been known to." Crossing her legs, she sat back, "As a new resident, I'm looking to make new acquaintances. Would you care for a friendly hand sometime?"

Ruby's eye twitched unconsciously, her fingers dug into her arms, and her body stiffened. All gestures no one at the table caught. Regina was good a reading people. She was posed for an acceptance.

"Alright. The pots minimum a hundred. Fifty a hand. We could play this Saturday. Six good for you?" Her brow raised in challenge.

Regina purposely pursed her lips and eased her hands to take her glass of wine and tipped it at her. "It's a date."

Ruby nodded, "Great. So, what'll it be?"

After they relayed their orders, Ruby sauntered off after giving her a long look. Laughter burst at the table around Regina and she took the first sip of her wine.

Maggie took her hand, "Oh, I do want to be here for that. You are an interesting woman, Regina."

Smiling, she shrugged with her left shoulder, "I'm full of surprises."

Roland looked up at her and said, "If you win, can I come to see your big white house? Mama told me there is a rose garden in the backyard."

Robin interrupted, "Roland, you can't invite yourself to people's houses. It's not proper."

Regina tensed a little but forced herself to relax. "No, it's alright. You're on. If I win, Henry can show you around. How's that?"

For the first time in the last thirty minutes, she watched him smile, "Okay."

After dinner, Regina walked out of the diner and felt full and happy. Her first official social outing had been a success. She'd been able to relax as Henry had texted her every hour to let her know he was safe.

Catching her off guard, Robin spoke, "Where's your son?" Jolting, she whirled around to see him standing outside of a blue jeep. Roland was tucked in the backseat clonked out.

"He went to the pier with a friend and his father. I didn't want to force him to come out with me."

His eyes were patient and his hand rested in his pocket. The other held the frame of the car door. "I guess he'll be familiar when he goes on the field trip. I appreciate you getting the forms out so quickly."

She nodded, "It's no problem. That texting app was a big help. I uh…" She closed her coat around her as a gust of wind chilled her.

"I decided if you still wanted to add Step on Up to the curriculum, I'd be willing to create a proposal with you. I sort of have a draft, but I'd need to change it to fit Camden's school standards."

His grin came bright and flashy, "Great. I appreciate you letting me get involved. The truth is, my wife traveling out of the country has hit us hard. Roland especially."

The frustration and sadness reached his eyes in tandem with his confession. "I wondered if his surely exterior had been because of a fight you might've had with him."

"I'm sorry?" His brow creased, and his lips flattened.

"I couldn't help notice he wouldn't look you in the eye. So, I figured it was something said between you. I've raised a boy, too. I know that pitiful pout."

Relaxing slightly, he nodded. "Yes, well. He hasn't taken well to his mother taking off…traveling. It's hard for him to understand."

It seemed he was angry for her absence and not sad. "I can't imagine having to spend half a year from Henry. Does she call often?"

His eyes went molten before he looked away. She backed up a step and watched his chest rise and fall. "At first. In the last week, we've yet to hear from her. Roland is taking it hard."

Too much for her to understand and it wasn't any of her business. "I'm sorry to hear that."

Silence hung between them in a striking awkward haze. "I better get home. Monday after school?"

Robin seemed distracted by his thoughts. "Monday?"

"The proposal."

"Oh, yes. That's fine. I'll ask Ms. Lucas if she'd mind watching Roland a bit longer."

Regina glanced at the sleeping boy. "Bring him. I'm sure we can keep him distracted. Plus, the more time he spends with you, it might be easier on him."

Why had she just given advice? She told herself it was for the boy's sake. Still, she felt out of her comfort zone.

"Thanks. Goodnight, Regina. I had fun."

With a polite smile, she turned and walked down the sidewalk.