ESCAPE
Chapter Twelve
Why did I do it? Rose thought to herself. I don’t know. It makes no
sense. And that’s why I trust it so much. Rose shook her head. Four years
ago, that had been enough. But now the stakes were even higher, and it couldn’t
be a dependable reason. Okay. Then I did it because I can’t go all the way
across the country, show up at his doorstep after so long and just say,
"Hi. Remember me? Well, since the last time you saw me I’ve married Cal,
who locked me in an asylum for talking back to him. Don’t look so shocked; I
broke out this morning. Oh, and by the way, I had your daughter, plus another
kid with Cal, but they’re still at his house in Philadelphia. So, where’s your
guest room?"
I mean, Jack has always been really
understanding, but I can’t do that to him. Besides, he can’t be my only hope. I
love him with all my heart, but what if he doesn’t feel the same? It’s been
over four and a half years! That’s a long time. What if I don’t mean as much to
him as he does to me? And even if that’s not the case, what about Jayvelin and
Jacob? They’re my children, and I have an unwritten oath to take care of them.
Me, and only me. So it’s decided. If for nothing else, I’m going back for that
unexplainable motherly sense that is my duty to follow.
Rose was glad that she had found her true
reasoning, but as the train ride wore on, she thought about the dangers that
she had created for herself. What have I gotten myself into? There were no
people to harm me at the train station I just left, but what of the one in
Philadelphia? And the plan was to get me far away, fast, and I’m doing neither
of those things. This was true. The next train to Philadelphia hadn’t
departed until half past noon. That would give Cal plenty of time to get his
men posted. But why would he ever think to post them near his own house? No
one, not even him, could expect me to go home. Sure, some caring mother could
analyze the situation and figure out that the first thing I would do is try to
protect my children, but even though Cal cares for Jayvelin and Jacob, the
thought would never cross his mind. So, actually, the only thing I’m risking is
maybe Cal going back to the house to think of a search plan. And besides, that
might help me find out exactly how many men are posted, and where.
With this last thought, the train began to
gradually slow down as its destination neared.