Soulmates by Suzanne Jenkins

she keeps you busy during the wedding.”
    “Eh, that wedding means nothing to me except maybe I won’t have kept running into your mother after she moves to Jamesville.” Finishing his coffee, he went back to the bathroom to brush his teeth, again. Good breath in case they had to talk face to face was key.
    “I’m headed out. Have a nice day.” Violet watched her father walk to the truck and tried to picture him with another woman. It wasn’t happening, no matter what his intentions were. She just couldn’t see it, especially with Pam Smith.
     

Chapter 6
    Back at Lisa’s house the backyard transformation into a giant playpen, safe, secure and shaded, was her dream come true. Astroturf replaced grass; Koi ponds filled in with Koi relocated eliminated drowning concerns, and only rounded corners, nothing small enough to choke on or surfaces high enough to fall from. An old quilt spread on the ground piled with snacks and sippy cups so even the smallest child could immediately meet their own needs added to the relaxed atmosphere. Daniela loved being out in the fresh air all day, resting on the quilt until a child called out for attention. She had a big basket full of diapers, wipes, clean underpants and spit up pads. Lisa was out there, too, not one to give up the care of her children completely.
    “Why are you paying her ?” Nelda said the first time she saw the backyard paradise. “She should be paying you.”
    “Noni, you are too funny. Daniela is okay. She’s another pair of hands.”
    The idyllic summer day, Gladys brought a tray of lemonade and snacks to the yard. Lisa curled up on a lounge chair, reading a new novel and Daniela was having a pretend tea party with the girls. The boys stretched out on the quilt looked like they might take a catnap any moment. Ruining the peace, Lisa’s cell phone buzzed; it was Dan.
    “I’ve got bad news,” he said. Lisa fell back against the chaise.
    “What now?”
    “Cara’s parole was granted.” Her heart dropping, Lisa sat up again, looking over at Dan Junior curled up with Marcus, sleeping under the trees.
    “What does it mean for us?” She knew but needed him to reinforce it.
    “Nothing, yet. We have a restraining order in place. She’ll have to go through the motions to see the baby. It won’t happen overnight.”
    “Why are you calling? Is she out already? Should I get the boys inside the house?”
    “No, just relax. I thought you should know is all. Make sure you lock the doors and lock the gate. I doubt she’d try anything, but we need to be vigilant.” Lisa said goodbye and got up from the chair.
    “Let’s get everyone inside,” she said, urgency evident in her voice. To Gladys she whispered, “Cara’s out.” Gladys bypassed the boys going right for Megan, irritating Lisa.
    “Mom, get Marcus for me, will you? Daniela can manage the girls.” Getting everyone safe inside the house, the worry that Cara could be lurking on the other side of the fence propelling her, Lisa couldn’t prevent the tears from careening down her face. “I can’t believe we’re here again.”
     
    While Lisa secured her household with the worst-case scenario in mind, Cara Ellison waited in the prisoner discharge room, giddy with excitement about going home. The few belongings she’d come in with were returned to her earlier that morning, clothes skintight, evidence what a year of prison food and pregnancy could do to the body. Her attorney, Clifton Johnson, was present as the clerk went over important documents, outlining conditions of her parole.
    “You are to have absolutely no contact with the Chua’s. Not a phone call, drive by, if you see them at the beach, run in the opposite direction. I can’t emphasize this strongly enough. Counsel, make sure you’ve discussed this with your client. Miss Ellison, it will take only one call from the Chua’s to bring you back to serve the rest of your sentence.”
    “What about my baby? I should be able to see him,”