Save Me Read Free

now? 
                  I woke up shaking, I sighed in relief that it was a dream.  A nightmare even, but I was glad it was over.  I was not reliving it.  Just then, Annabelle came running into my bedroom.  “Mommy, Mommy, this house is so pretty!  I want to stay here.  Can we mommy?” 
    “Sure baby, we can stay here,” I said.  “Oh yay!  Can we decorate my room?” I chuckled.  I think we can do that sweetie.”  It was good to see her smiling again like a normal child.  She needs to be a normal child or as normal as possible.
                   I decided to take her into town with me.  I needed to see if Gloria knew any daycares or sitter’s in the area.  I do not want to leave her, but I have to work and I told Gloria I could start today. 
    “Come on Belle we need to run to see Gloria.  Do you remember that nice old woman who let us borrow this house?  We need to go see her, up, up, up, let’s get dressed.” 
    I did not have many cute dresses for Belle.  She loved nothing more than to twirl in a dress.  I had a little ballerina for sure.  I could not take all of her dresses.  I had to pack as light and small as I could.  I made a mental note to buy her some dresses in town if they had a boutique.
                  Once we got to Gloria’s, I noticed a police car.  I immediately panicked.  Are they here for me?  Calm down Grace, it is ok. I kept telling myself. I walked into the store holding Annabelle’s hand, she seemed shy today, and maybe she was just tired. 
    “Hi Gloria,” I said.  “Oh Grace, dear, how did you like the house?  Did you sleep all right?  I promise it’s not haunted,” she laughed.  “We slept great Gloria,” I lied; I would probably never sleep well again. However, Annabelle, this kid could sleep through a hurricane. 
    I looked over at the man she was talking to and he looked familiar.  “Hi Grace,” he said.  “It’s nice to see you again.”  He was wearing a police uniform; it was Oliver, the creeper from last night. “Hi Oli, thanks for checking up on us last night, I am sorry if I was jumpy.  I was exhausted from the trip here.”  He smiled slightly.
    “Oh it’s alright, where did you travel here from?”  Great there it was.  Lie.  No do not lie.  Be honest there is no way he will know anything about you.  “We are originally from Boston, just needed a change,” I said hesitantly.   His eyes were full of questions, of course, he is a cop that is what they do, ask a million questions.  “Will your husband be joining you then?”  Damn there it was, the nosy bastard. 
    “No my husband is no longer with us.”  I left it brief. 
    “Oh I am so sorry, that must have been hard.”  I gave him a small smile.  It is best to leave it at that, instead of telling him that he is just a psychopath or that he is dead, I know that is what he thought, is that he is dead.  Nevertheless, I did not care now.  It is not as if we would become great friends.  I did not want people to know what happened.  The less I say, maybe the less they ask. 
    “Gloria, I know you wanted me to start today, but I am afraid I haven’t had time to find somewhere to go with Annabelle.  She has some separation issues.  I wondered if you knew of any daycares in the area,” I said looking down and my sweet Belle. “Has she ever been to a daycare dear,” Gloria asked concerned.
    “No mam, she has always been at home with me.”  Mainly because my husband is a control freak psycho and did not let me work.  “Well, why don’t you keep her here with you today and I will ask around town,” Gloria said.  “Oh Gloria are you sure?  She will not be a bother.  She is a great kid and listens very well.”
    “Oh honey, I have eight grandchildren.  She could paint the walls with magic marker and smack me in the face and she still wouldn’t be as bad as the hellions my children brought onto the planet.”  I