Page 15 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

6

The 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.

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