It had been a week since Rome had called his mother. He sat in the same spot as he had before, phone in hand, assuming she’d answer on the first ring as soon as he called. He took some deep breaths and thought about what this phone call would mean.
Ella was so happy here, and he could tell that she wanted to stay. He hoped that the house Bart had found for them was enough to make her happy. He’d shown her pictures, and she seemed to like it, but he knew she was nervous. The idea of having to face her father and let him know that she was alive was terrifying to her, and he couldn’t blame her. He wouldn’t want to have to do that either. Hell, he didn’t even want to call his mom, and she already knew everything he had to tell her--well mostly. Ella would avoid revealing she was alive as long as she could, but if they moved back to California, that might not be possible forever.
