“Going . . . somewhere? I . . . I don’t think so,” Sam said, garbling his words. “I can see a bulge under your sweater. Got the money didn’t you? Thought I didn’t know. I’ve been waiting for this day.”

Eloise froze with fear. She forced herself to act normal. “You were asleep, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Sam lunged at her. He was so drunk he lost his balance and fell to the floor. Eloise decided to make a run for the back door. She scrambled over Sam, but he caught the heel of her shoe and slammed her down to the floor.

“No way! You’re not leaving me. This time I’m going to teach you a lesson you won’t forget!”

Eloise’s head hit the door frame, stunning her for a moment. Sam was upright again, kicking her. She fought back, grabbed his foot and knocked him off balance. Using all her strength, she pulled herself up and ran. This time, she reached the back door. Sam picked himself up and staggered after her.

“I don’t think I’m going to make it,” she muttered under her breath.

Nora heard crashing sounds. In a panic, she grabbed a three foot piece of a two-by-four and ran to the back of the house. Crouching down, she watched her mother fly out the door and down the steps.

Sam’s footsteps were right behind her mother’s. Adrenaline raced through Nora as she jumped up and slammed the two-by-four into Sam’s back, knocking him down the steps. She heard his head hit the ground. Shaking, Nora gripped the club with all her might. Slowly, she approached him. Hearing a groan, she stopped.

Sam struggled to get up before slumping back down. Nora caught a glint of hatred in his eyes.

Her first impulse was to clobber him again, until she heard her mother call out her name. The sound of her voice stopped her.

“I’m coming, Mama! I’m right behind you.”

Eloise and Nora raced to the car. The motor roared to life. Putting the car in reverse, Eloise backed out. The tires sprayed gravel as she straightened the car and raced down the alleyway. She drove like a crazy woman until they reached town.

What should she do? She thought of Lisa. Eloise had worked next to her friend over the past two years, during which time they became close. Lisa was the only one who knew about her situation with Sam.

Eloise looked at Nora. “I’m going to call Lisa. I hope she’ll take us in.” Driving around another five minutes, she spotted a payphone at a Texaco station.

She watched her mother hang up. Soon, her fists raised up as a victory signal. “It’s a go. Lisa said to come over,” Eloise shouted as she stepped out of the phone booth. She got in the car and sat still for a long time.