CHAPTER 2 The Phone Call That Saved Them
Mason remembered something his grandfather Russell Vale had taught him during afternoons spent building birdhouses together.
"If something feels wrong," Grandpa always said, "find a safe grown-up."
With trembling fingers, Mason opened the phone and pressed Grandpa's picture.
The call connected.
"Hey, buddy," Russell answered warmly. "Calling to tell me about your toy trucks?"
Mason's voice cracked.
"Grandpa... Mommy needs you."
Everything changed.
Russell's cheerful tone disappeared, replaced by calm determination. He carefully asked where Mason was standing and whether his mother was nearby. Learning that Marissa was lying on the floor, he promised he was already on his way.
"Stay close to your mom," he said gently. "But keep space from anyone who's angry."
Daryl demanded that Mason hang up.
The little boy refused.
Instead, he stayed beside his mother, still clutching the phone while sirens slowly grew louder outside. Realizing the situation was no longer under his control, Daryl finally grabbed his jacket and left the house.
Only after the front door slammed shut did the fear begin to fade.
Minutes later, Russell rushed through the door.
May you like
Without asking questions or placing blame, he knelt beside his daughter, comforted Mason, and stayed with both of them until paramedics arrived.
For the first time in years, Marissa no longer felt alone.
