Chapter 6

6

T he gentle creak of the glider kept Elsie company while she sat on the porch and stared at the gray sky. The bleak, cloudy day mirrored her mood—heavy and ready to explode.

Boo laid at her feet, his ears perked and body on alert.

Her mind raced. She didn’t know what to think or how to feel at this point. Dean had called Sadie and filled her in on what they’d found at Mrs. Pauly’s. A part of her had wanted to race back in the house and demand answers from the old woman, but Sadie assured her she would handle things.

So now she sat and waited, rocking back and forth. Praying her phone would ring with good news or Mila would magically appear unscathed.

A silver SUV pulled up her driveway and Jenna hurried out of her car and up the porch steps. She wore her blue doctor scrubs, her face clean of make-up, and her dark hair swung in a ponytail. She made a beeline for the wooden glider and lowered herself next to Elsie, silently taking her hand.

Emotions swelled inside Elsie. Words escaped her. She clung to her friend like a lifeline, grateful to have more support.

“I just talked to Calvin,” Jenna said. “He filled me in on everything. How are you holding up?”

She shrugged and leaned her head on Jenna’s shoulder. “Terrified. Anxious. Pissed.”

“All understandable. This is one of those things that no one thinks will ever happen to someone we know, and when it does, there’s no playbook on how to handle it. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and you’ll eventually get to the other side. You all will.”

“Thanks,” Elsie said. The sentiment meant a lot coming from Jenna. Only the year before, she’d survived her own nightmare. The circumstances might not be the same, but she understood the constant fear pressing on her lungs and the suffocating feeling of time running out.

“Is Dean still here?”

“In the kitchen. I put lunch together for us earlier because I needed to move, to do something, so he volunteered to clean before catching up on work. He’s been with me since I called him in the middle of the night. I’m sure he has things to handle, even if he tells me differently.”

“Calvin’s taking over Dean’s cases for now,” Jenna said. “Sounds like Dean’s pretty insistent he stays close.”

The confirmation that Dean wanted to stick around warmed a cold dark place inside of her. “He’s been amazing.”

“He’s one of the good ones. Always has been. I’m not surprised he stepped up for you.”

A tiny catch in Jenna’s voice straightened Elsie’s spine and made her study her friend. Jenna’s coy smile screamed she was hiding something. “What?”

Jenna schooled her features. “Nothing. I’ve known Dean since high school. He’s always been a great guy, and it’s nice to see him acting more like himself. Something I’ve noticed whenever you’re around.”

Elsie frowned but couldn’t help the tingles in the pit of her stomach. “He’s just being a good friend.”

“Sure,” Jenna agreed. “But no matter his motive, I’m glad he’s here with you. You shouldn’t have to be alone.”

Elsie glanced at her phone and cringed. “I won’t be alone for long. Jimmy will be home from school soon.”

“What did you tell him this morning?” Jenna asked.

“That his mom was caught up at work and would be home later. He seemed to buy the excuse, and I think having Dean cooking him breakfast was enough of a distraction to stop him from asking too many questions. But that won’t fly once he’s home. I don’t want to scare him, but I also don’t want to lie.”

Sighing, Jenna dropped a hand to pet the top of Boo’s head. “That’s a tough one, but I agree. Lying to a kid is never the answer. It’s better for him to understand some of what’s happening now so he’s not blindsided later.”

The softness of Jenna’s words indicated she wasn’t thinking only about Jimmy. Elsie’d been blindsided when her brother never made it home. When she’d woken to find a shattered world that would never be whole again. She wanted more than anything to shield Jimmy from experiencing that same pain and confusion and anger.

“What about your parents?” Jenna asked. “Have you spoken with them?”

Elsie shook her head. “Not yet. They love Mila like a daughter. I’ll call them later tonight if we still haven’t found her. They’ll want to help with Jimmy and do whatever they can to find Mila.”

“And her parents?”

Elsie’s entire body stiffened. Not many people understood why she and Mila were so close. Knew the circumstances from their past that had strengthened their bond, and cemented Elsie’s love and devotion to Jimmy.

“Mila hasn’t spoken with them in years. I don’t see any reason to let them know what’s happening. They gave up the right to be a part of Mila and Jimmy’s lives a long time ago, and if they’re ever allowed back in, that has to be Mila’s decision.” She raked her fisted hands over her thighs as nervous energy mixed with rage.

Jenna blinked, clearly surprised by Elsie’s brisk words. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know there was bad blood there. I just know that no matter how old Oliver is, I’d want to know if he was in trouble.”

“You’d also never kick Oliver out of the house because you didn’t agree with his choices,” Elsie said.

“Is that what happened to Mila?” Jenna asked, eyes wide.

“Yep.” Elsie hated discussing Mila’s business, but the need to confide in her friend—to explain why she hadn’t contacted Mila’s family—spurred her on. “Her parents were mad as hell when she got pregnant. She was only seventeen and the guy she’d been dating skipped town as soon as he found out. Her mom insisted she terminate the pregnancy, and when she refused, they told her to leave.”

“How awful,” Jenna said. “There’s nothing Oliver could ever do for me to stop supporting him. Especially at such a young age. When life is full of tough choices.”

“That’s because you’re a good mom.” Elsie bumped Jenna’s shoulder with her own. “And so is my mom. My parents took Mila in and helped her care for Jimmy when he came along. Mila isn’t just my best friend, she’s my sister.”

Emotion stormed back and chocked her. She wiped tears from her eyes. As much as she wanted to let the tears fall, she needed to hold herself together. At least for a little while longer. The last thing Jimmy needed was to come home and see her a hot mess.

Jenna hooked an arm around her and pulled her close. “We’ll find her. I know we will.”

The door squeaked open, and Dean stepped outside just as a big, yellow bus turned onto the road.

A different kind of fear swirled in the pit of her stomach, and she fought against the sudden nausea. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You can,” Dean said. “And we’ll be with you the entire time, if that’s what you want.”

She stared up at him and gave a tiny nod, preparing herself to break the heart of the little boy she loved more than life itself.

The school bus lumbered toward the house, heightening Dean’s anxiety with each stop. By the time the giant kid-mover reached the house, he was about to jump out of his own damn skin.

When the bus stopped and the door swung open, Jimmy leapt down the stairs and ran up the drive. He waved his arm wildly in the air.

Elsie met him at the sidewalk.

Jimmy launched himself into her open arms. His mouth moved a mile a minute, but Dean couldn’t hear him over the gust of the wind swirling the colorful leaves that clung to their branches. “Do all kids talk as much as he does?” he asked Jenna.

Jenna chuckled. “From my experience, absolutely. And the more they talk to you, the more they like you. So take it as a compliment.”

“Dean! Jenna!” Jimmy wrestled out of Elsie’s hold and ran to the porch. He fell to the ground and hugged Boo tight. “Is Oliver here?”

“No, I stopped by after work, so I didn’t have him with me. He’s home with his dad. How was school?”

Jimmy grinned and jumped up and down on the wide porch. “Good. I had a hot dog for lunch and played tag at recess. I’m super fast so no one could catch me. And I got a smiley face on my math test.”

Dean laughed. He didn’t know which was harder, keeping up with the boy’s never-ending stream of chatter or following his constant motion as he spoke. “Dude, do you ever stop moving?”

Grinning, Jimmy shrugged. “Are we still getting ice cream? You said I could get three scoops.” He finally stopped and held up three fingers to emphasize his point.

Not wanting to overstep, Dean glanced at Elsie who gave a little nod. “Are you sure you want ice cream on a gloomy day? I thought ice cream was only for sunny days.”

Jimmy rolled his eyes. “No way. Ice cream is good no matter what. Right, Elsie?”

“Right, buddy.” Elsie climbed the steps and leaned on the railing. She opened her mouth to say more, but Jimmy continued.

“Jenna, you should come. And bring Oliver.” Jimmy dropped his backpack and tossed it toward the closed front door then hopped from one end of the porch to the other on one foot. “But first we have to go to the shelter. Elsie and I have lots of work to do. I always help on Tuesdays after school. Mama’s already at work on Tuesdays. But Mama can get some ice cream later. Can we go now?”

“That sounds like fun, but Oliver’s waiting for me at home. You three should enjoy your time together.” Jenna met his eye, then Elsie’s, before smiling at Jimmy.

Dean snagged Jimmy’s shoulder and pulled him close, facing the boy toward Elsie. “Let’s say bye to Jenna then head to the shelter. Once our work is done, then it’s time for play, okay? You can have your three scoops, if you save a little room for dinner.”

He studied Elsie’s delicate features. The tight set of her mouth relaxed a fraction, soundlessly telling him she approved of his plan. Chances were high that bad news would still be there tonight. No need to stomp out Jimmy’s excitement for a fun evening.

“Okay,” Jimmy said. “Bye, Jenna! I gotta go inside for a second. Don’t leave without me.” In a flash of movement Jimmy dashed in the house, Boo hot on his heels.

Jenna stood and chuckled. “So much for a goodbye. I think waiting a little longer to tell him about Mila is smart. Let him enjoy a few more hours.”

Elsie sighed. “It doesn’t matter when I tell him, it’s going to devastate him.”

Dean crossed his arms over his chest and rooted his feet on the floor. Every fiber in his body commanded he cross to Elsie’s side and pull her close, but not now. Not with Jenna here. She knew him too well and would no doubt run right to Calvin and tell him her suspicions. Better to keep a little bit of distance. “We can tell him now if you’d rather.”

“No, you were smart to dangle some normalcy in front of him. Structure is key, even in chaos. Hell, maybe especially in chaos.” Closing her eyes, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “How can I not show him how upset I am? He’ll know something happened.”

“You don’t have to hide anything. If he senses something and asks, then we tell him. If not, then we break the news when we bring him home.” He held his breath and waited for her response. He didn’t have a kid. Hell, he didn’t even spend a lot of time with them. But he understood respect. Understood people of all ages craving authenticity and honesty.

She offered him a watery smile. “You’re right. Sorry, I’m just so tied up in knots I can’t think straight.”

Jenna crossed the porch to Elsie’s side and braced her hands on either shoulder. “You’re doing great. Call me if you need anything, but you seem to be in good hands.” She tossed a quick look over her shoulder that told Dean he hadn’t been as subtle about his feelings for Elsie as he’d thought.

Elsie drew in a shuddering breath then pressed a quick kiss to Jenna’s cheek before Jenna said her goodbyes and hurried to her car.

Dean took over Jenna’s spot and stared into the darkening afternoon as the skies opened and raindrops plopped down from the heavy clouds. Wind spit water on his face and sent a chill down his spine. The storm was here and they’d weather it together, come hell or high water.