Keep Me Safe

Chapter Twenty-Four

Her heart fell into her stomach. "Y'all don't look happy."

"Everyone was a little too supportive," Darryl piped up. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed and lips pursed.

"Huh?" She glanced around the room, trying to understand what he meant.

"They're in favor of Lottie staying. Williams said that as soon as he explained what was going on, all the anger shifted just like that." Darryl snapped his fingers for emphasis. "They all started shouting and rioting. Someone threw a rock through the window. They were threatening to shoot the next stranger to come to town. It was everything Williams could do to stop them all from setting up camp in the front yard."

"Are you serious?" Agnes made her way into the dining room and sat down at the table next to Franny. She faced her family.

"Now," Mama interjected, "there are a few people who aren't too keen on the idea. Glenda said that she was gonna take her children out of town, and a couple of other parents agreed. I know our town is loyal, but quite frankly, it scares me how riled up they can get. At least three people stopped by while y'all were sleeping to offer their services. I had to practically shove Bob Vander out the door. The next poor soul that wanders into town is going to get a gut full of lead."

Agnes laughed. "You say that like it's a bad thing! With how grim y'all were looking, I thought we had until sunrise to get Lottie out of town." She propped her arm on the dining table and rested her chin on her fist. A smile found its way onto her face, although it felt out of place.

Franny placed a hand on Agnes' shoulder, her firm fingers digging into her skin. "You're too young to understand the severity of the situation. If everyone has their fingers on their triggers, then someone is eventually going to get hurt. I don't see us coming out of this situation unscathed. There are children living in the town, children who don't need to get caught up in endless bloodshed."

Agnes looked into Franny's eyes and saw nothing but fear. And then she realized just why Franny was so apprehensive: she had kids. Her sons lived in this town. Any violence that happened was going to affect them one way or another. She had been so wrapped up in Lottie that she forgot that other people were going to have hell to pay for all that was happening.

The wind in her sails disappeared and she was left slumped against the kitchen chair. Lottie was only one person. Was it worth putting everyone else at risk just for her?

As if summoned, Lottie appeared at the top of the stairs. She was still rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. Her disheveled hair tumbled over her shoulders in a chaotic heap. She was wearing the same blood-stained clothes from the night before, tattered and dirty. There was a cut on her cheek, just below her eye, that Agnes hadn't noticed until now. She shuffled over to the couch, where Floyd had moved over to make room for her to sit. She didn't look at Agnes.

And, in the blink of an eye, Agnes realized that yes, risking the safety of everyone in the town was definitely worth it. As long as Lottie was safe, everything was fine.

Franny looked from Agnes to Lottie and then back again at Agnes. She let out a weary sigh. "I think it's time I head home. Abel should be on his way. The boys are spending the night at Pete Johnson's house."

"You can just stay here," Floyd suggested, "since you don't have the boys to go home to. You and Abel can stay in the girls' room while they're staying with the doctor."

She shook her head and stood up. "No, no. The dog's due any day now and I don't want her to be alone when the puppies come. I appreciate the offer, though." 

They all waved and said their goodbyes as she exited the house, shutting the front door tightly behind her.

Mama leaned forward in the armchair and patted Lottie's knee. "It's official, darling. You're gonna be staying with us for a while. There was an overwhelming amount of people in favor of you not leaving. Although, if you ask me, it's more out of pride than the goodness of their own heart."