Lina sat on the edge of the guest room bed in her cousin's quiet Dallas home. The air conditioner hummed softly, but she barely noticed it. Davis was asleep beside her, tucked under a cartoon-print duvet, unaware of the danger his mother had just escaped.
She hugged herself tightly, shivering, not from the cold, but from the memory. Flashes of the attack kept replaying in her mind; screeching tires, rough hands, bright headlights. She closed her eyes, trying to block it out.
Eric. She took a deep breath. If it hadn't been for him…
She didn't finish the thought. Her fingers touched the pendant around her neck, a keepsake she brought from home. Her heart was filled with gratitude. Eric had risked his life to help her and Davis get away.
She had barely made it to the airport. Her heart had been pounding the whole way. The airline staff noticed how shaken she was and let her through with no questions, no luggage checks, just her, Davis, and two small bags. Somehow, luck had been on her side.
Now they were safe. But her heart wasn't at peace. Not yet.
She pulled a blanket around her shoulders and looked out the window at the twinkling city lights. This was her new life. But the pain of the past still followed her.
A few weeks later, Lina stepped out of an Uber with Davis. She held his hand tightly as they looked up at the gates of Rosewood Academy, one of the best private schools in North Dallas. The place looked more like a college; marble steps, big glass windows, and a quiet garden.
Inside, a friendly woman in a navy blazer greeted them.
"Good morning! Welcome to Rosewood Academy. How can I help you?"
"I'm here to enroll my son, Davis Obi," Lina said with a polite smile. "We just moved here."
The woman reached out her hand. "I'm Ms. Callahan, head of admissions. Nice to meet you, Davis." She smiled at him. "Are you excited to start at a new school?"
Davis nodded shyly. "Yes, ma'am."
"Let's head to my office." She led them down a clean hallway into a bright office filled with awards and student photos.
Once they were seated, Ms. Callahan pulled out a tablet.
"We're currently placing students for the middle of the school year. Davis is almost eleven, right?"
"Yes, he turns eleven soon. He was in a strong school program overseas," Lina explained. "He's smart and very independent. I believe sixth grade is the right level for him."
Ms. Callahan nodded. "Great. We'll just need him to take a quick placement test; basic math, reading, and writing. Nothing too hard."
"That's fine," Lina said confidently. "I just want the best for him. A place with strong academics, good values, and real opportunities."
"Then you've come to the right place," Ms. Callahan said warmly. "We also offer programs in music, drama, robotics, and mentoring."
"Perfect." Lina glanced at Davis, who was already looking at the student photos with interest.
"Can he take the test today?"
"Yes. We'll fit him in after lunch. If all goes well, he can start on Monday."
Lina let out a breath of relief. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome, Ms. Obi. Welcome to the Rosewood family."
When Ms. Callahan left the room, Lina turned to Davis and held his hand gently.
"You're going to be fine here. You deserve this, my boy."
Davis smiled up at her. "I know, Mum. Thank you."
That evening, the apartment was quiet. The dishwasher hummed softly, and a sitcom played in the background. Lina had made a simple pasta dinner. Jane, her cousin, sat across from her at the table, looking tired after a long day at work.
"You've done really well for someone who just arrived," Jane said with a small smile. "Davis is already enrolled?"
Lina nodded. "Yes. He did great on the test. He's starting sixth grade at Rosewood."
Jane raised her eyebrows. "Rosewood? That's a top school, Lina. Not many can afford that."
"I know," Lina said. "It's expensive, but it's worth it. That's the kind of life I want for him. It's why I risked everything."
Jane pushed her plate away. "You've always been strong. I admire that."
Lina looked thoughtful. "Now I need to focus on what's next for me. I need a job. Something stable. And I have to fix my visa situation soon."
Jane looked concerned. "You're here on a visitor visa, right?"
"Yes. But I'm working on it. I've been reading up; green cards, work permits, anything that's legal and fast."
Jane sighed. "Fast and immigration don't go together. Unless a company sponsors you or you marry a citizen, it usually takes time."
"I'm not marrying anyone just for papers," Lina said firmly. "But I can't sit and do nothing. Davis is counting on me."
Jane nodded. "Well, I might know someone at a non-profit. They need part-time admin help. It's under the table, but it's a start."
Lina's eyes lit up. "Please ask them. I need something. Anything."
Jane reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "I got you. We'll figure this out."
Lina nodded slowly. Her eyes drifted to a photo of Davis by her bag. She had crossed oceans for him. And she wasn't going to let fear, papers, or her past stop her from building a good lif