Free Safe and Sound by Lindy Zart Page B

the clickety -clack sound of fingernails against keyboards surrounded Lola. The interior was shades of tan and gold and overabundant in flowery plants .
      One other customer was in the bank; an older man caked in dirt and grime. He nodded to Lola and she nodded back.
      She was greeted with smiles and hellos from the ladies on the other side of the counter. Lola approached an older lady with white curls, glasses, and a pleasant smile. The nameplate read ‘Mary’.
      “Hello. How can I help you?” Mary had kind brown eyes that had the power to make Lola teary-eyed. She blinked and turned her head away until she had control over her emotions.
      Lola took a deep breath and set the ledger on the counter. “ My name is Lola Murphy. I’d like to withdraw my savings, please. Here’s the account number.”
      The bank teller took the ledger and went to the computer. As she typed, her pleasant expression turned blank. Mary looked up , brows furrowed .
      Before she said anything Lola knew something was wrong. Panic squeezed her chest . “What is it?” she whispered.
      “ I just need to check something.” Mary gave a tight smile. “I’ll be right back.”
      While Lola watched, Mary went from behind the counter and into an office where a man sat at a desk. Through the window they exchanged words. Both looked at Lola. They talked some more as they looked at a computer screen .
      The lady returned . She wouldn’t look at Lola as she said, “Your account has been closed, Lola.”              
      “What? Why? I don’t…I don’t understand.” A buzzing began in her ears and dizziness caused her to sway on her feet . Lola put a hand on the counter to hold herself up.
      “Your mother came in yesterday afternoon and closed it. ” Mary’s eyes finally met hers. “I’m sorry.”
      Her voice seemed to come from far away and the world went gray. Lola shook her head and lost her balance. Gone. Her money was gone. Her mother took her money. Bob had her mo ther take her money. She grabbed for the counter and missed, stumbled back a few steps until a chair stopped her .
      She was trapped. She couldn’t leave. Lola had to go back home. She had to see him again. Lola had no choice.
      Despondency hung her shoulders. Tears blinded her eyes. Lola backpedaled toward the door, ignoring the looks of concern from the tellers. Once outside, she dropped to her knees, too overwhelmed to care who saw her or what they thought .
      Lola openly sobbed, throat and chest tight. What did she do now? She was stuck. And he was only going to get worse.
      “Are you okay?” someone asked. Lola ignored them until they went away.
      Lola got to her feet on legs that shook. It seemed pointless to go to school. What did school matter when she was living a life of abuse at home? It seem ed small in comparison when the big picture was so awful.
      Maybe I should just end it. End it all. No more pain, no more worry, no more sadness, no more fear.
      A sense of relief washed over her. Peace, even. Maybe it was the only solution. It would be so nice not to feel anymore, to just cease to exist. Would anyone really care anyway? She’d be forgotten within months, like she’d never been.
      Lola walked home, numb. Nothing registered. No sounds, no sights, nothing. But something happened along the way. Something seeped into her, took over , and consumed her .
      It was rage.
      S he wasn’t ready to give up, not yet.
      Lola entered the house and tossed the duffel bag to the side. She strode for the bedroom her mother and Bob shared. She didn’t knock; she just pushed the door open and let it bang against the wall.
      It was musty and hot in the room and Lola’s stomach revolted . Her eyes went to the bed, to their sleeping forms. Her upper lip curled in revulsion. Hate you, hate you so much.
      Bob snorted and shifted under the covers. Lola walked over and kicked the bed with her shoe. She backed away, moved