Becca.
Life at home was strangely, and blessedly, normal. While James took frustrating call after frustrating call, Alessandro and Dahlia were completely oblivious to the danger around them. They played with Layla, James, and me, ate, slept, and had not a care in the world.
Antoinette even came over from time to time for coffee, and we’d talk openly about what was going on in our lives. It was refreshing to have someone “normal” to talk to about such things.
Two days from the trial, James was looking increasingly harried, but the kids were still happy as could be. Alessandro was sucking down an applesauce pouch and Dahlia was making a mess of some puréed peaches.
When the doorbell rang, I assumed it was Antoinette. I put Alessandro on my hip and went to the door.
I stumbled back when I saw who it was. “Allegra!”
Allegra looked worn down. She had a pack over one shoulder and a sad loneliness in her eyes. “Is she here?” Allegra asked.
