Page 39 of Little Shattered Dreams

I stood, but I didn’t even make it to the entrance before Aunt Laura came rushing in—alone.

“Is everything all right?” I asked. “I thought Mom was supposed to be with you.”

Aunt Laura shook her head, her voice unsteady as she said, “That’s just it. I knocked on her door several times. She’s not answering.”

CHAPTER18

I turned toward everyone at our table and said, “You all sit tight. I'll be right back.”

Before anyone had a chance to respond, I’d dashed out the door. When I reached my mother’s place, I stuck my hand inside my bag, palming my gun in case I needed it. I used my other hand to pound on the door. “Mom, are you in there? Open the door right now, please.”

I waited.

She didn’t come.

I put my ear to the door, listening for any indication of movement inside.

I heard nothing.

I jiggled the door handle.

It was locked.

I ran around to the back porch, hoping her sliding glass door might be unlocked. Knowing my mother, it came as no surprise when I discovered it was also locked. I leaned against the glass, staring into the bedroom.

Night was coming fast, and visibility was limited, but she’d left one of her bedside lamps on. It offered just enough light to glance around the room and confirm she wasn’t in it. Not the bedroom, anyway.

On my way back to the dining hall, I saw Grace locking up her office for the night. She took one look at my face and said, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s my mother. She's not answering her door, and she hasn’t come to dinner. She’s never late for anything. I’m worried.”

“What can I do to help?”

“I need a key to her place.”

“Sure, no problem. Hold on a second, and I’ll get it for you.”

Grace disappeared into a backroom and reemerged a couple of minutes later, dangling a key from her finger. “I’d like to come with you if that’s okay?”

“If you don’t mind, I’d rather be alone.”

She hesitated, and then said, “Sure, but please check in with me once you know something.”

I agreed and turned, sprinting back toward my mother’s place. I unlocked the door and thrust it open, shouting, “Mom, are you in here?”

All was silent, the only sound coming from the familiar hum of the heater as it kicked on. I checked every room and every closet. I even threw back the shower curtain in the bathroom.

She wasn’t here.

I returned to the dining hall, poking my head in just long enough to see she still wasn’t at the table. They all looked worried, and I decided not to concern them further until I’d found her.

I checked the parking lot next. Her car was still sitting in the same spot it had been in since we arrived on Monday. I called Harvey, my stepdad, asking him if he’d heard from her. He confirmed they hadn’t been in touch for several hours.

I ended the call and ran toward the front of the property. Calvin saw me coming and stepped outside. “Back so soon?”

I hunched over, placing my hands on my knees as I tried to catch my breath. “It’s my mother. I can’t find her anywhere.”

“Where have you looked?”

---