The Swiss Escape

Moving

Alex

It’s been a week since Kamryn and I broke-up. I miss her, and I miss Kayla. Kamryn doesn’t return my calls or text. When we are at school, she smiles at me and seems to be on friendly terms. But the second we are outside of the school, she is cold towards me.

I know I should have pushed Lana away sooner. If I had, then Kamryn and I would still be together. Every morning I pass by her room, just to make sure she arrived at the school safely. Then after school, I wait for her to get home before driving away.

Everyone at the school knows we are no longer together. I hear their whispers. They don’t know why we broke up, but that doesn’t stop them from speculating.

Today after making sure Kamryn got home safely, I head to my house. When I arrive, I see Lana standing by the front door with Dennis drinking some type of juice. “Why are you here, Lana?” I ask, heading towards the door.

“I heard about you and the American girl. I came by to cheer you up; I know you must be heartbroken.” Lana smirks. She knows she’s the reason Kamryn and I aren’t together.

“Go away, Lana. We have nothing to talk about; I think you have done enough to my life.”

“It was all Fritz’s idea to trick you. It wasn’t right what we did, but now that you are single again. Do you want to restart our relationship?”

I stare at Lana, “you still agreed to his plan. I would like you to leave.”

Lana starts screaming that she needs help, and I can’t turn my back on her and my nephew. She makes such a scene I am afraid my neighbors will hear. “Fine, come inside.”

She enters with a smirk on her face. “So, this is the place you got for us?” Lana walks through the house, looking at everything.

“What do you want, Lana? I have made my opinion about you clear. Why do you keep bothering me? I told you, either go back to Fritz or run away, but leave me alone.” My voice is cold. Neither of us are paying attention to Dennis, and that seemed to upset him. Taking the lid off his cup, he screams and throws it across the room. The purple juice, which I now realize is grape juice, gets on my shirt and the floor. I quickly take off my shirt and start to wash it before the stain sets. Then I get a mop and clean the floor. It surprises me that Lana doesn’t seem affected by his behavior. It’s like this is normal.

I just finish the floor and am putting away the mop when I hear a knock at the door. I’m not expecting anyone, so I finish what I am doing. Then I walk back into the living room and see Kamryn standing at the door. I can see the hurt in her eyes. This situation looks terrible. She turns and leaves, “Kamryn, wait.” She just walks away. “Kamryn.”

I watch as she gets on the tram, completely ignoring me. I need to talk to her, explain nothing happened. Running back to my house, I grab another shirt and usher Lana and Dennis out of my house. Then I jump into my car and head over to Kamryn’s apartment.

When I arrive, I run towards her building. I have to explain what happened. I want her to know she is the only woman I want.

Just as I am about to enter the building, a body collides with mine. It’s Kamryn. Something has her upset; she’s shaking. I wrap my arms around her, and she screams. “Kamryn, it’s okay. What’s wrong?”

Kamryn looks at me. I can see the fear in her eyes. “He found me. Johnny was in my apartment.”

I pull her close to me. I hate seeing her upset. “It’s okay. I will keep you safe. Where is Kayla?”

“Mila is watching her. She asked to babysit so I could talk to you. Mila convinced me that maybe you care about me.” 

“I do care about you, Kamryn.” I look down, and she’s crying.

“Then why was Lana in your house? Why did you sleep with her?”

I wipe the tears from her face. “I didn’t sleep with Lana. She showed up at my house with Dennis crying. She was making a scene, so I brought her inside. Dennis spilled his juice on me, and I went to take care of my shirt. That is when you showed up; I didn’t do anything with Lana. She isn’t the woman I want.” She’s holding a paper in her hands. I take it from her and read it. It’s from her husband. I feel anger and jealousy. I don’t like what he says to her. I also hate he said he loves her.

“The note was in my apartment; he was in there. It was on the counter. What if he’s still there? He knows where we live. Maybe I should just go back.”

“No, don’t go back. Even if you do go back, he will kill you. It just might be slower. He will go back to doing the same things, and Kayla will see it. You don’t want her to think that is how people treat each other. That’s why you left in the first place.” Kamryn is still shaking. Pulling out my phone, I call the police, while still holding Kamryn close.

When the police arrive, I give them the note. Kamryn doesn’t leave my side. I can tell she is afraid. I talk to the police for Kamryn, I tell them about her ex-husband. About how he treated her poorly and all his threats if she tried to leave him.

The police make sure the apartment is all clear. I turn to Kamryn, “why don’t you and Kayla come to stay with me? I can keep you safe. He doesn’t know where I live. I have two extra rooms, so there is a place for you and Kayla.”

She looks at me, curiously. “You want to help me even though we aren’t together?”

“Yes, I don’t want anything to happen to you. I would like it if we got back together, but I don’t expect it. You will have your own room. I won’t pressure you into doing anything.”

A few tears slip down her cheeks. I quickly wipe them away. “Lana implied you and her were intimate. When I came over, she said she took a lot out of you, with certain activities.”

“She did touch me in my office. I didn’t stop her until she mentioned you. It wasn’t until she asked if you could do certain things she does. When I realized what was happening, I told her you could do more. I’m sorry I didn’t stop it right away.” I take Kamryn’s hand. “Let’s go pack you and Kayla a couple of bags. You can stay at my place until the police find him.”

We go up to her apartment and pack. We take her and Kayla’s clothes along with Kayla’s toys.  Kamryn speaks to Mrs. Wallin and tells her the situation; she understands and allows Kamryn out of her lease.

It surprised me how little Kamryn has. There are only three boxes and two suitcases. “Are you sure this is all?”

“Yes, I bought the kitchen items when I moved here. The next person can use them. Everything else is clothes and toys.”

I carry everything out to my car, careful to look around at the surroundings. After getting everything packed, we headed to my house. “What if Lana is there?”

“Then, we ignore her. I want you to come inside with me and just walk right past her if she’s there.” We pull up to my house, and of course, Lana is still standing by the front door. “Let’s go in through the garage. It will be easier to unload the car.”

I open the garage and park. Lana is standing at the front door. We take everything inside. “I should call Mila and warn her. Should we get Kayla tonight, or do you think she’s safer there?”

“Mila and Baldrick will keep her safe. Don’t worry.” She looks concerned. “Every man must serve in the military; Baldrick did very well. We are allowed to keep our guns from when we served. They can keep Kayla safe.”

“Thank you for letting me stay here. I know it’s probably awkward for you.” Kamryn looks down.

“Kamryn, I promised you I would protect you. That is what I plan to do. Regardless of our relationship, I want to help you.” I help her carry everything in, “There are two bedrooms down the hall. Both have a twin bed. You can take one, and Kayla can take the other.”

I watch as she sets up Kayla’s room before her own. I can tell how much Kayla means to her. One of the many reasons I love Kamryn is the way she is with her daughter. She would do anything to keep her daughter safe.

“Do you want me to pay you what I was paying Mrs. Wallin in rent? That way, you aren’t just housing us for free.” Kamryn voice sounds sweet, but the words upset me.

“Why would I take your money?”

“This is a major inconvenience for you. Having to house both a toddler and her mother will disrupt your lifestyle.”

Her words bothered me. I didn’t like that she is implying the only reason I am helping her is so that she will pay me. “I don’t want you to pay me, Kamryn, goodnight.” I walk away. It feels like I failed to show her how much she means to me.