stop protecting Aaron.
At three in the morning, with my bedroom door hanging crooked behind me, I stopped waiting for that.
In the living room, Aaron moved between me and the coffee table.
“My phone is under there.”
“Leave it.”
“I need it.”
“You need to calm down.”
Douglas lowered himself into the armchair and picked up the television remote.
“Dad, please.”
He clicked the television off, though it had not been on.
Aaron glanced toward him.
“She is making this worse.”
I crouched and reached beneath the coffee table.
Aaron stepped closer and blocked my hand.
“Call someone, then.”
I looked up at him.
“Who?”
“Anyone.”
Douglas gave a small shrug.
Aaron moved aside just enough for me to reach my phone.
The screen showed 3:08.
I unlocked it with my thumb.
Douglas stood up.
“Madison, put that away.”
I pressed 911.
Aaron saw the screen and reached
toward my hand.
“Do not.”
The operator answered before he could take the phone.
“911. What is your emergency?”
I gave the address first.
My voice sounded steadier than I expected.
Aaron stopped reaching for the phone.
Douglas stared at me.
“Madison, tell them you are fine.”
I looked at the phone.
