Page 43 of The Nanny and the Grump

“You got it!”

Both Madison and June were soon out of sight. I returned as soon as the smoothies were in my hand. I handed Madison a cup while I gulped down the other. We went to sit on a bench afterward while June ran around and played with other kids.

“I really needed this. Everything’s so beautiful here,” Madison said.

“More beautiful than you are?” I teased.

“Oh, please, don’t even start,” Madison responded, her chin spread in laughter.

“We should get lunch once we leave here,” Madison suggested.

“I couldn’t agree more. I’m famished,” I replied.

“Let me just get June so we can leave already,” Madison said as she stood up and moved toward the area where the kids were playing.

Something happened. We didn’t know what it was at the time, but the children had begun to run in different directions in fear. From where we stood, we could see a little girl in the arms of a huge figure. The little girl was screaming and calling out to Madison and me.

“June!” I got up and ran as fast as my legs could carry me, ready to get into a brawl if need be.

The figure had thrown my little girl in a van and sped off before I could get to him. I ran back to where my car was parked, yelling out Madison’s name as I did. “Get into the car!”

She ran toward the car as I instructed. Once she got in, I turned on the ignition and sped off in pursuit of the truck. It had crossed my mind that the police would try to stop us from going too fast, but at that moment, nothing mattered.

“Can you see them?” I asked.

“They were too fast, Hudson. I can’t see a trace of their truck anywhere on the road.” Madison had tears in her eyes, and her hands were shaking.

The police caught up with us and pulled us over.

“Please go after them. They just took our little girl!” Madison cried, not being able to keep her cool anymore. I was in tears, too, as I took my frustration out on the tires of my car.

One of the policemen had stayed back with us while the rest had tried to follow the trail of the kidnappers. They had returned later on at the station to inform us that the men had escaped. By this time, we had already given our statements.

Madison wouldn’t stop crying. I just sat there, utterly drained of energy to express how I felt. Not June, too. The death of her mother had been more than enough blow to my heart. I wasn’t sure I could take on another blow of that magnitude.

We were asked to return home and allow the police to do their jobs. All through the ride home, I was mute and distracted. I didn’t know what to think or where to begin my search. It felt like I was going insane.

Amy had come over as soon as she heard. She quietly sat beside me on the couch. I rested my head on her shoulders and just stared bleakly.

Madison had cried so much that she couldn’t cry anymore. She just lay there, her eyes shut while she muttered some words. I figured she was making a prayer.

The police had promised to call if they had an update. Both Madison and I had given them our contacts. All we could do now was hope for the best outcome.

Shortly after, Madison’s phone rang, drawing all our attention. She jerked back from her sober mood and picked up the phone.

“Is it the police?” I asked, hoping some good news was on the way.

She held up five fingers in the air in a manner that meant that I should hold on for a while.

“Hello?” she said into the phone.

There was no response at the other end of the line. She looked at the phone screen in irritation and said, “Hello,” again. There was still no response. She hissed and instantly dropped the call.

“Who was it?” I asked.

“It was no one. Just a prank caller, I suppose,” Madison replied.

I heaved a mild sigh and turned back to Amy. The phone rang again. Madison went on to pick up.

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