“You knew I would. Are you okay? You look awful,” Lisa replied. Nora gave Lisa a hug before her mother could answer. “We’ve missed you,” she whispered. “Please help Mama.” Nora quickly stepped aside. She pretended to be interested in demitasse cups on a display table.

“How are you? How is it going with you and Sam?”

“Not good.” Eloise’s lip quivered as she lowered her voice. “I’m pregnant.”

“Oh!” Lisa’s jaw dropped. “Is this what you want?”

“No. I shouldn’t have let it happen. But it did. Sam wants a child . . . or so he says.”

“I haven’t talked with you in ages since we’re not on the same shift anymore. Every time I call, Sam says you’re out—I was lucky Nora answered last night.”

“I’m not surprised. You aren’t Sam’s favorite person.”

“Yes. I’ve figured that out.”

“You know he’s drinking again. Its beer, not the hard stuff, but he still gets drunk. I hate it!” Agitated, Eloise slammed her hand against a shelf.

Nora watched Lisa steer her mother to the end of the aisle. Nora stayed back but near enough to hear them.

“Listen to me. You may need to leave him,” Lisa declared. “I’m not saying today or next week. Maybe never, but you need to have a plan. Drinking is a bad sign. It will escalate. Believe me, I know after going through a horrific divorce from an alcoholic.”

“What about the baby? What happens when I have to quit work?” Eloise knew she couldn’t support Nora and the baby on her own. Tears filled her eyes.

“You still have time. Sam may be all right, but I don’t think so. I think it’s going to get worse. Let me help you make a plan in case you need to leave. If Sam becomes violent, you need to be prepared.”

“What do you have in mind?” Eloise looked up at her friend.

Lisa covered the main points. “First, make sure Sam can’t have access to your paycheck or bank accounts.”

“I have. My bank account is still in my name only,” Eloise replied.

“Good, for a start. Don’t tell anyone at work you’re pregnant, hold off as long as you can. Build up a cash fund and have your bags packed.”

“How can I be packed with Sam around?”

“Store your clothes at my house. You can bring a load over each Saturday when Sam is working. I’ll make sure you have a key in case I’m not there.”

Eloise looked overwhelmed. Her mind was going in all directions. How could she do all this?