66
I'm halfway to Seattle when I finally receive a reply from Izzy.
What's going on?
I'm not prepared to compromise on my time or safety, so I push back the urge to reply until I've reached SeaTac, parked my car up and am on my way into the airport.
I skip the formalities when she answers the phone.
"When are you seeing Phil?"
"Edward, what's going on?"
"I'm worried about you. What the hell do you think you're doing, going anywhere near that guy?"
"It's fine. He's Jimmy's father and he has a right to see him."
"You do remember everything he did to you, right?"
Her voice drops to an angry whisper.
"I'm not likely to forget when I still have the scars from so much of it, am I?"
"Then why?"
"Because he threatens to contest the guardianship every damn time I try to say no."
I know there's no point pursuing this particular argument again right now.
"When are you seeing him?"
"Tomorrow, why?"
I huff out a relieved breath. I'm not going to be too late.
"Izzy, I'm on my way down there, you're not to go anywhere near him alone, do you understand?"
She's silent for a moment.
"Wait, you're what?"
"I'm at SeaTac, I'm due to get in to Phoenix at around nine fifteen tonight. Your dad told me where you're staying. I'll call you when I get there."
When she speaks again, her voice makes her sound just as many miles away as she is.
"Why are you doing this?"
I swallow to try and clear the lump that's formed in my throat.
"Because I'm scared shitless at the thought of something happening to you."
"You wanted space."
"I wanted time," I clarify. "And I told you I wasn't giving up."
~S~