Read 40 Something - Safety for Free Online

suspects those funds may
not be on the up and up.”
    “Meaning?”
    “Dirty money.
You need to find out if your client signed anything or knew
anything about where this money came from and how it was run
through the company. There is a chance this money doesn’t
technically belong to Mr. Granger or Mrs. Granger.”
    “You’re talking
about laundering. That’s beyond my expertise.”
    “I know. That’s
why I want you to work with Doug. This is his area of
expertise.”
    “Doug.” Oh
great the day just keeps getting worse. “Isn’t there anyone
else?”
    “He’s the best.
Why is there a problem?”
    “No. No. Of
course not. I can work with Doug. I will talk to my client, review
the accountant’s report and then talk to Doug about the case.”
    “Good. There is
nothing in writing at this point. It’s all speculation and off the
record, let’s keep it that way, until we know what this money is
about.”
    “Thank
you.”
    “You may go
now.”
    I make my way
back to my office. Really. Doug? Fuck.
     
     

 
Rose
     
    I’m home. Safe.
Home is safe.
    I never
realized how safe I felt at home, until now.
    I can hear the
kids upstairs. They are safe inside these walls. If I could, I’d
never let them outside. The world is filled with Craig’s and worse,
Mansons, Dalmers, and Bundys. They are out there waiting to strike
on vulnerable girls, like my daughters.
    The stats don’t
lie. Girls are vulnerable. They are harassed, raped, kidnapped,
abused, exploited, and murdered. Why couldn’t I have had all
boys?
    I love my
girls. I love them all. This world is just too dangerous for
them.
    I can’t stand
still. Energy pulses through me and I need to move. I clean. I
tidy. I do the laundry. I work. I’m vibrating, an uncomfortable
feeling is overwhelming me.
    “Kids.” I yell.
“Kids.” I want to see them make sure they are safe. “Kids.”
    “Ya mom?”
Aiden, my sweet boy comes down.
    “Go get your
sisters. I want to talk to you guys.”
    “Are there
cookies?”
    “Yes. I’ll give
you all cookies.” He obeys.
    “What’s up
hun?” Gus asks me.
    I hug him. I
pull myself close into him. I feel safe. I am safe. We are
safe.
    “Seriously hun.
What’s wrong? You’re shaking.”
    Gus pulls away
to look down into my face. I can see his concern for me and I pull
him close again. Wrapped in his arms I am safe.
    “Life. I guess.
Today reminded me that the world isn’t safe.”
    “It’s
safe.”
    “But –“
    “Look. That
guy’s an asshole, plenty of those around, but he isn’t dangerous.
Just a bully.”
    “Charlie was
right about Sophie not staying here.” I say.
    “Probably for
the best. We don’t need to be inviting trouble in.”
    “What’s this
about trouble?” My dad asks.
    “Oh just
talking about how Charlie was right about Sophie not staying here.”
I say.
    “Well, Charlie
knows about these things. Do you have any iced tea?”
    “Here dad I’ll
make you some.”
    I fill the
kettle and put it to boil. Best to keep busy. Doing things takes my
mind off my problems and helps to settle my nerves. I wipe the
counters, re-organize the items that are displayed on it for easier
access. I grab my favourite glass pitcher, a couple tea bags, ice
from the freezer and a frozen concentrated lemonade container.
    If something
happened to one of my girls. I’d be devastated. The world is a
scary place. There was that teenager in the next town over who was
raped. Did they ever catch the guy? I read somewhere that one in
four women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, or is that
three in four? Oh my. This world is getting so dangerous. It’s not
as safe as when I was a teenager. How can I keep my girls safe?
    “Howard what
time is it? Shouldn’t we be getting home?” My mom asks.
    “Mom. When we
were teenagers did you worry about us?”
    “Of course
dear. I still do. Every mother worries about their children.”
    “No. I mean.
Was it dangerous out there in the world?”
    “Yes. It