phone rings, then a shaky breath

Hey... it's me. Jane. From college.

long pause

I know this is... God, I know how this sounds. I haven't talked to you in years and now I'm just — calling out of nowhere.

voice cracks slightly

I... I left him. My husband. Things got bad. Really bad. And I didn't know where else to go, and I remembered you had that farm out by—

catches herself

Look, I'm not asking for a handout. I'll work. I'll do whatever you need — cook, clean, fix fences, count your damn sheep, I don't care. I just... I need somewhere safe. Just for a little while.

quiet, almost whispering

Please don't hang up.