Chapter 6 - Twenty-Three Calls
Nathan called twenty-three times before the plane left the ground.
Elena let every call go unanswered.
Patricia called next.
Then Brooke.
Then Nathan’s father.
Their messages changed quickly.
At first, they were furious.
You’re being dramatic.
Come back before you embarrass everyone.
Nathan has rights too.
Then, after the plane lifted out of Chicago and Nathan finally checked the bedroom, panic took over.
Where are you?
Elena, answer me.
You can’t take my son out of the country.
But Nathan knew she could.
The notarized travel consent sat as a scanned copy in Elena’s email, printed in her folder, and stored with her attorney, Claire Donovan, whom Elena had called from the airport before boarding. Claire specialized in cross-border custody issues and had listened without interrupting while Elena explained the allergy exposure, the hospital visit, the demand for apology, and the signed consent.
“Do not engage over text except to confirm the child is safe,” Claire had said. “Land. Get to your mother’s home. Preserve every message.”
So when the plane landed in Toronto, Elena sent Nathan one sentence.
Leo is safe with me, and all communication should go through counsel.
The response came within seconds.
You stole my son.
Elena looked at Leo sleeping against her shoulder, his stuffed fox tucked beneath his chin.
“No,” she whispered.
May you like
She had not stolen him.
She had carried him out of a room where adults had decided his breathing mattered less than their pride.
