The Great Escape

I kept the breakfast service simple. I made a breakfast casserole, toast, corn grits, and fresh fruit.

"You know Maylean and I are carb-free this month," Anya chided me. "The annual company party is next month, and I'm dying to fit in the limited-edition designer dress Joshua bought me. There's absolutely nothing on this table for us to eat."

I did not know they were eating low-carb. I recall that both enjoyed rice during the Chinese and Thai feast the night before. Nor did I know the annual company party was next month. No one had told me, but then again, no one had told me last year either. The only reason I knew about it was that Maylean had needed me to help with last-minute alterations to her gown.

I remember finding out about the party and waiting for King to ask me to go. It didn't happen. Instead, I sat at home with Thing One and Thing Two, watching Disney movies and eating popcorn.

I gritted my teeth and played along. "No problem. Will poached eggs and Canadian bacon do?"

"Omelets, please," Maylean said. "Make mine with mushrooms, Swiss cheese, ham. Garnish with a sprinkling of mint and chives."

"Oh, that sounds good," Anya said. "Make it two only. I want gruyère in mine."

Like we kept gruyere in the house. The Heavenlys may have been rich, but their eating habits were more down-home than uptown. Anya was getting Swiss. I doubted she would know the difference.

I smiled. "Sure. No problem."

Of course, it was a problem. I needed everyone fed and out of the house. The sooner they left, the more time I bought myself between my great escape and when King tried to track me down if he tried.

What was Anya's deal? She seemed to be out to get me, but for the life of me, I didn't know why. I didn't threaten her position in the household. I'd never flirted with Joshua or poorly spoken about her. In fact, I did everything I could to make friends with her. It never worked, but I tried.

Today, I wasn't trying. I beat the eggs for the omelets until they were fluffy, but they lacked something. Oh, that's right—carbs. I added a healthy helping of sugar.

Yes, the action was immature, but this little bit of revenge was totally sweet. Sweet, get it? Sugar. Sweet. Sometimes, I crack myself up.

An hour later, I'd tolerated another injection—my last, I hoped—and seen the last Heavenly out of the house. I rushed upstairs and burst into my bedroom before stopping short. Apparently, I'd missed seeing off one of the family members.

King sat on the edge of the bed. Beside him rested an unopened cell phone and a black credit card.

I looked from the phone and card to the man. "You're here. Did you forget something?"

"These are yours."

"I have a cell phone."

"I bought this phone for you. The plan is paid for by me. Not the family."

"It really isn't necessary, King, but thank you."

"I think it is." King picked up the credit card and held it out to me. "And this is yours. Also, in my name. No credit limit."

"Okay, but why?"

"I realize I've been remiss in providing for you. I intend to do better."

Too little, too late. I didn't want anything from this man ever again. Correction. I wanted one thing. I wanted him to leave.

King jiggled the card at me, "Take it."

I took it, holding it between two fingers as I debated throwing it back at him or testing the no credit limit option. Instead, I turned and sat it on the dresser.

King looked at me expectantly. "Well?"

Did he expect me to thank him? "Is there something else?"

"No, I guess not."

I nodded and excused myself to go to the bathroom to retrieve the phone Bea gifted me, but I held off using it until I heard King leave the bedroom and shut the door behind him.

"Bea, can you pick me up?"

"Sure, where are you? When?"

I gave her the address. "As soon as you can get here. I'm leaving. I can't do this anymore."

"Oh, Teela, are you okay?"

"No. Yes. Both. I'm scarred for life, but I'm not physically damaged. Bea, I'll tell you all about it but later. Right now, I need a ride. It's miles to the closest bus station, and I don't have the money for an Uber."

"I'm on my way, girl."

The gate. No one got onto the Heavenly Estate without a passcode or security clearance. Security clearance would come with questions, but I didn't know the gate code because I didn't drive.

"Wait for me at the gate. I'll come to you."

I entered the walk-in closet, which was the size of a small bedroom. Most of it held a king's belongings. I stood in front of my two racks, three drawers, and two storage boxes, trying to narrow down what I would take with me.

The lighter I packed, the easier it would be to leave. On the other hand, I highly doubted returning for the rest of my stuff would be an option. Lettie would never allow me in the house again. I was sure of it.

It was easier than I thought. After more than three years with little to nothing new, most of the wearables were worn out. The hoodie my mom bought me had to come. The few dresses and dress shoes could stay. I only wore them for family holidays. My fat clothes were gathering dust. I lost weight during the first year of marriage and never gained it back. My everyday clothes were baggy enough.

Every item I considered a priority fit into the backpack, and I still had room for a few mementos, like my mom's framed picture and the family photo album.

It would have to be enough.

I took so little that the closet didn't look noticeably different after extracting items.

Back in the bedroom, I stopped at the dresser. I couldn't depend on Bea to finance my escape and survival indefinitely. I needed start-up cash. My original plan was to return the designer crystal shoes for a refund. At the very least, the unworn, in-demand shoes should bring a pretty penny at a resell boutique.

But now I had options. King's credit card. While I didn't want anything from King, the Heavenly family owed me for three years of dedicated service. I was sorely tempted to use that card.

On the other hand, using a credit card in King's name would leave a huge and obvious paper trail that anyone could track back to me. At least for a little while, I needed to live on cash.

I carefully packed the shoes that would finance my escape. I mourned their impending loss, but sacrifices had to be made.

Once packed, I took one finally look around the bedroom. This had been my home for three years. I tried to find some good memories and some feelings of regret for leaving, but there were none. All I could think was how confining these walls had been.

Leaving was the right thing to do. It would have been the right thing even before the fertility treatments and the reflection room. Now, it was the only logical move. I should thank Lettie for making it so easy to walk away.

I walked out the front door and scanned the area for anyone who might want to stop me. I'm not sure why I thought anyone would. I'd never explicitly been told I couldn't leave the Heavenly Estate without permission. I just knew Lettie would disapprove. Beside, I didn't have a lot of free time in my day for things like shopping and lunches out. The cooking and cleaning kept me busy from dawn to dusk.

Breath in, breath out. The fresh air held a hint of lavender and rose from the nearby flower beds. It was a nice way to begin the first day of the rest of my life.

By the time I walked from the front door to the driveway gate, Bea was waiting for me in a yellow retro VW Beetle convertible. It was so Bea, that I couldn't help but smile and wave.

I tossed my backpack into the backseat and buckled up.

"Is that all you're bringing?" Bea asked. "I can drive up to the house and help you bring the rest of your stuff."

"That is all that is worth bringing."

"Are you sure? I don't know what's going on, but I do know walking out on your marriage is serious business. Is this really what you want?"

"No, it's not what I want, but it is what it is. Bea, if I don't leave, I feel like this place will kill me or at least make me wish I was dead."

"Well, I can't let that happen, baby girl. My four wheels are at your disposal. Where to?"

"Where else? The mall."