CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

TWO WEEKS HAD PASSED without a word from Eve. Zara and Chad had packed up the few things she had in the apartment, most of which had been clothing for the kids. But Eve’s journals—she’d given Zara permission to read them in the letter she’d left—were far more valuable than any other token.

Zara set down the last of the twenty-seven volumes. Her heart had been shredded as she waded through the pages of her sister’s life. She felt the sorrow, the isolation, and the helplessness as if it were happening to her. But she’d also gotten tiny glimpses of Charlotte and Sammy in the years before she knew them, and she saw Eve’s love for her kids.

She set aside the questions that visited every day since finding Eve gone and headed outside to join Chad and the kids. It was time to harvest the loofahs.

Eve

September 17, 2019

I’ve picked up a new phone and a new journal. They represent my hope for a new life. My first move was to download the NA app. Sometimes I watch the minutes tick by, showing me each one that I’ve managed to stay clean and sober.

The heroin Joey left was a wake-up call. I held the syringe in my hand for what felt like the whole night while the drug called to me in a soothing whisper. Even as I crushed the plastic, making it impossible for me to use, I became aware of how far I still was from healthy. I need a lot of help, a lot of counseling. Someday, I might be a stronger woman. I might even be able to be a good mom. But it’s not fair to make Charlotte and Sammy wait on me. They’re children. That time flies by. I won’t waste another minute of it on my addictions.

I talked to Patrick this morning. He’s become more than my former boss. He’s my mentor and my friend. He’s set me up with a group near Chicago that will help me get a job, a place to live, and the help I need.

There’s no way I can doubt that God is real. Not after all I’ve been through, and still, I have the chance at a future—and so do my kids. It’s my prayer that, someday, I’ll be able to give back a little of what I’ve been given.

LEAVES FELL FROM THE TREES, and the air had turned from warm breezes to a wind laced with an icy chill. Though Zara and Chad had hoped and prayed for something different, they hadn’t had a single word from Eve for over two months.

Tiff and Bruce had gotten a call from Eve the week before, though, and they assured Zara and Chad that she was well but wanted them to go forward with the plan she’d set out in the letter. They all had to move forward. It was the best thing they could do for Charlotte and Sammy, who still remained in the legal custody of the state.

Each day, Zara prayed for Eve’s return, yet she understood what her sister was doing. She was being a mother to the children in a deeper way than Zara ever could. Eve had sacrificed everything for their protection and future.

Chad and Zara walked into Kelly’s office alone. They’d left the kids with Sharon, who was fully recovered. No doubt Walter had a lot to do with it.

“Hey. Thanks for being willing to come to me.” She swiveled to the side, away from her computer. “What did you want to talk about?”

Zara held out a thick packet of paper work.

“What’s this?” Concern drew lines between her eyebrows.

“Eve did this before she left. We wanted to give her a chance to return before we went forward. She’s signed over her parental rights to us.”

Kelly leaned back. “I don’t believe it. Seriously? And you are willing to adopt the kids?”

Zara’s jaw tightened, and she couldn’t speak. How could she feel joy when her sister was somewhere out there, living the life of a fugitive because she believed this was the only way to ensure the children were safe?

Chad pulled her to his side. “We are.”

“All right. I need to talk with my supervisor, but we’ll get this moving to the next step.” She stood. “Listen, I know this is tough. But the kids need you, and I want you to know you’re doing the right thing for them.”

“Thanks.” Zara turned away. She didn’t want Kelly to see her tears and decide she was unstable.

Besides the initial testimony she’d left in her apartment, Eve had sent in detailed statements, giving the police more than enough evidence to arrest Joey and keep him incarcerated for life. She wouldn’t be returning to testify, but she’d been able to provide enough in the way of places, physical evidence, and other witnesses to assure his conviction even without her.

Since Eve hadn’t indicated a father on either child’s birth certificate and Joey was hiding from the police, the attorney said they should be able to move forward with the adoption. Once it was complete, Joey would have no reason to come after the kids.

Zara and Chad walked out of DHS hand in hand. Sharon had insisted they take a few hours to themselves. The sky had turned a dark purple, and cool air raced over Zara’s skin. Hiking was out of the question, but they could enjoy a meal with no ketchup for a change, knowing they’d be a family again when they returned home.

TIFF AND BRUCE CAME IN FROM THE GARAGE, having spent the greater part of the morning organizing the shelves of supplies. Bruce had added a few of his own touches now that he was meeting with a group of young men in the foster care system. His hope was to help them gain the skills to be good husbands and fathers, changing the course of the next generation by becoming the kind of man he would have wanted for his daughter.

“Iced tea?” She held up the pitcher she’d taken from the refrigerator.

Bruce pulled two glasses from the cupboard. “Absolutely.”

“It was sure nice to hear from Eve again this morning. I thought we’d lost her.” Tiff blinked back tears.

Bruce put his arm around his wife. “You’re not the only one. I’ll admit it now—Eve’s disappearance brought back sour memories for me. I really questioned why God would allow me to let my guard down, just to be hurt again. But it seems the Big Guy knows better than I do. I’m really proud of Eve.”

“Me too.”

He squeezed Tiff tight. “I think she’s going to make it. In a perfect world, that could have happened here, with Zara and the kids, but I believe Eve knows very well what she’s able to handle right now, and what’s just too much.”

The phone rang from the living room. Their eyes met in the hesitation. Eve had that number, as well as their cell phone numbers. That had been enough to convince them to put up with the solicitors a bit longer.

Tiff left the pitcher on the table, the refrigerator door open, and went to the phone, hope lightening her steps. “Hello?”

Silence.

Tiff’s shoulders dropped.

“Mom?”

Tiff’s body dropped to the floor, the phone still in her hands, tears washing over her cheeks.

“Is she okay?” Bruce knelt beside her.

“It’s . . .” She handed the phone to Bruce.

“Eve, are you okay? Can we come get you?”

“Daddy . . . it’s me. It’s Lindsay.”