The Family Across the Street by Nicole Trope

32

Katherine

She nods her head at his final refusal. She will not ask or beg or plead again. He’s made a decision. Well, so has she. These children may grow up without a mother, but at least they will grow up. If she moves quickly enough, uses her whole body to block the gun and shouts at the children to run, she may just give them time to get away. She has no other option now. He’s taken all of her choices away.

She glances at her weary babies; at the way their little bodies are slumped on the sofa. Sophie’s curls are limp with heat and sweat, her green eyes dull with the exhaustion of hours and hours of fear and confinement. George’s hair is slicked to his forehead but his eyes have an intensity that bothers her. He is staring at him as though trying to annihilate him with just a look. He wants to hurt the man who has hurt them and she can feel her little boy, the person he is, slipping away.

There is no question about what she has to do. She’s made her choice. She’s chosen them.