I next spoke to each of my kids.
I let them know the game plan, let them know that they would be staying over at Uncle Kingsley's house. Tammy snorted.
"Don't lie to us, Mom. I read Auntie Louie's mind. She's totally freaked out right now."
I rubbed my forehead and shook my head. It was, after all, impossible to keep anything away from my kids these days.
The truth was, I didn't know what, exactly, I was keeping away from them.
Only that I needed them somewhere safe.
And fast.
I told Tammy to give the phone to her brother and she did. I told Anthony, who was now almost as tall as his sister - his recent growth spurt was alarming, to say the least - that it was his job to protect her.
"I'm on it, Mommy," he said. "If I have to."
"You have to."
"She's kind of a butthead, though."
"Butthead or not, she's still your sister."
"My ugly sister, you mean."
"I love you guys," I said, suddenly choked up. God, I even missed their bickering.