For the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged and I don’t think that my father ever hugged me as much as he had since I showed up at his house. Each time he would pull away I would see the tears in his eyes and feel just how sorry he was for what I went through.
My father and his wife had made plans to attend a neighbors Christmas party, and even though he invited me to tag along, I opted to stay behind and just relax.
I had a nice fire going and was waiting for Conner to call me, when my phone started to ring.
The call was coming from a weird number, but since only a few people knew that I had this phone, I answered anyway.
Hello?
Did you just think you could run away with your little boyfriend and I was going to let you go?
Rick?
Who else would it be?
How did you get this number?
The alarm company called to verify my new address and phone number. Imagine my surprise when I got that call.
I know the salon is mine, Rick. You can stop pretending that you want to reconcile. I don’t know what you’re up to, but you won’t come near my place of business. I will call the cops and have you arrested.
Are you threatening me you little bitch? I’ve tried to be nice to you, but I’m sick of this acting shit. You will get your ass home, or I am coming to get you.
What planet are you on? We are done! I don’t want anything from you. You stole from my father and lied to him to keep me away. I hate you, Rick. I wish you were dead. Don’t call me again and if you go anywhere near my salon, mark my word, you will be sorry.
You’re threatening me now? We’ll see which one of us comes out swinging. You have two hours to get your ass home.
Fuck you! You ruined my life. I would never come back to you and you’re crazy if you think that. You do nothing but lie and hurt people. Call your girlfriend Heather and have her move in.
You don’t know shit!
I know enough to hate you. You make me sick. I’ve waited for months to get away from you. Knowing I could have gotten rid of you years ago, makes me hate you even more. Stay out of my life and away from my family.
Your family? Are you speaking about your father, or your boyfriend?
I almost dropped the phone on the floor. This wasn’t happening.
I don’t know what you’re talking about. There is no boyfriend.
I had to protect Conner.
I’ve been following you and him for months. Quit your lying. You think I didn’t know you were meeting him at that hotel and spending the night? You think I didn’t notice that something had changed about you? For seven years I dealt with your shit. You really think I’m just going to let you go? You’re right about one thing. After tonight, there will be no boyfriend.
The line went dead.
Panic set in and I began dialing Conner’s number. When he didn’t answer, I tried Miranda. I feared the worst and thought about the innocent people that Rick was threatening. I had to get to them.
The garage at my father’s house wasn’t connected to the main house, so I threw my coat to hang over my shoulders and walked through the sleet to start my car and let it warm up.
When I got back into the house, I bent over to grab my purse and someone grabbed me from behind. Because it startled me, I jumped and caused myself to fall on the floor. I landed on my hands and immediately began to stand up and move away from who grabbed me.
As I backed up and turned around, Rick stood in front of me. “Did you miss me, baby?”
I held my hands up. “Rick please. Please don’t hurt me.” I looked over at the counter top and saw my cellphone blinking. Conner must have called when I went outside.
Rick looked over and grabbed the phone. “Looks like the boyfriend is looking for you. “He took my phone and tossed it across the room. “Guess you won’t be seeing him for Christmas.”
I was crying within, scared for my life. “Please just tell me what you want. Why won’t you let me go? What is it Rick? Why can’t I leave?”
He leaned down and got in my face. “I will lose everything! You don’t know what that’s like because you’ve never had shit. I won’t let you drag me through the mud.”
“I’m not dragging you through anything. I just wanted to be happy.”
He grabbed me by my hair and picked me up. “You’re not going to take everything from me, Amy. I won’t let you.”
I was really freaking out, He was hurting me, but I was afraid to cry. “Rick, just tell me what you want.”
“I want you to give me the money, Amy.”
I was so confused, but as he stood there, threatening my life, my instinct was to grab my stomach. He shoved me across the room. I stopped myself from slamming into the cabinets. “Please, don’t hurt me, Rick. I don’t know about any money. I swear.”