Now, I had pepper spray and a pocketknife in
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yallu
Now, I hau pepper spray dilu a puCKEIKNITE INT
my purse.
Dying once does that to you.
We arrived in Montana the following day.
Ashley took me straight to a breeder and I
bought a Tibetan Mastiff.
I learned that getting a good Mastiff required
connections. Regular people couldn’t just buy
one.
At ten thousand dollars, I couldn’t afford two.
Even that price was a favor to Ashley.
<
Apparently, its daily food bill would be more
than mine.
I couldn’t possibly afford two.
Ashley beamed. “Now you can relax!”
“Come on, let’s go look at some houses.”
She seemed to have everything planned out.
I was practically in tears with gratitude.
When we entered the small town near her family’s ranch, everyone greeted Ashley.
<
We went to a house next to hers, owned by
her uncle. Two stories, four bedrooms, three
thousand dollars a year.
Her uncle wasn’t hurting for money. He and
his wife were in Billings helping with their
grandkids, and they just wanted someone to keep an eye on the place. The rent was
practically symbolic.
I paid a year’s rent upfront and moved in that
day.
That night, Ashley organized a bonfire and
introduced me to everyone.
L
Her parents vouched for me, and I quickly
blended in, swapping stories with the local
women about Ashley’s childhood.
Ashley said, “There’s nothing a bonfire can’t
fix. If one doesn’t work, have two.”
On the 15th, my mom and Sarah showed up
at my old office.
I had blocked them the day before, and when my mom realized something was wrong, she
immediately stormed over there.
Ashley shared the security footage of them
causing a scene.
<
Oh boy. Sarah’s husband, Mark, was there
too, along with their disabled kids.
I told Ashley to stay safe, to stay out of sight
if possible.
She agreed and called security from
downstairs.
I watched the footage.
My mom yelled, “You have to hand Emily over
right now! Otherwise, we won’t be
responsible for what happens.”
“And her paycheck needs to be deposited
<
untully into my account UW UIT.
UT
The company called the police.
The cops looked weary when they arrived.
They knew my family.
Then they called me.
I said, “Officer, I’m 23 years old. I’m done
being their slave. I have my own life to live.
When they turn sixty, I’ll take care of them
financially, as required by law.”
I’d give them exactly what they were legally
entitled to.
Not a penny more.
