Page 75 of Remember (Symbols of Love 2)

My hands are shaking; I'm furious.

I feel like I’ve hit a dead end, but I don’t know what else to do. It’s clear the FBI is trying to find a way to lure dad in, but they don’t have a clue where he is. I believe my mother when she says she saw him in Bethesda.

This whole thing is a mess.

Dean’s office party is in a week, Lilly is arriving today; I need to get my shit together. On top of this, since Kevin’s unwanted visit to my house, he has been unbearable. He’s been calling me, making demands about seeing Anthony on unscheduled days, and in general just being a pain.

I walk out the door to get Anthony from school. After I pick him up, we are heading to the airport to pick up Lilly.

I’m excited to see her and a little nervous. She hasn’t been home in years. I only see her when we travel somewhere together. Her life is a bit of a mystery.

After college, she moved to Miami and has lived there ever since. Five years ago, she came home for Christmas and then without any explanation never came back.

She and I are very close. We talk about everything, but when I asked her about her decision to not come back to Maryland, even for a visit, she refused to answer. And the last time I asked, my little sister, who is so strong, brave, and forthright broke down into tears and begged me not to ask her again. So, I haven’t. I just pray one day she will tell me.

Anthony hops in the car from his place in the carpool lane and my mood lightens right away.

“Hi, Mom!” he shouts.

“Hey, kiddo. How was your day?” I smile at him in the rearview mirror as I pull out into traffic and head to the airport.

“It was great. I’m building a robot!” He grins back at me.

I smile fondly as we get onto the Beltway and head toward the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

“That’s awesome, kiddo. Can you get it to clean your room?” He doubles over with laughter—I love how easy he is to entertain. “Okay!”

I glance over my shoulder quickly and say, “And guess what? I have a surprise; we are on the way to pick up Auntie Lilly from the airport.”

“She's coming here? Yay!” He squeals and then pauses. He looks thoughtful for a few seconds before he continues. “Do you think she will bring me those cookies I love?”

“Yes, I'm sure she will. She brings them for you every time she knows she's going to see you, right?” I wink at him.

He grins and pulls out the Kindle my mother bought him last Christmas. He's becoming an avid reader. As he turns seven this year, I’m trying to encourage him to push himself to read books that are more difficult than what his teacher sends home.

He sits back and settles in for the car ride to the airport.

* * *

* * *

Lilly hops in the car almost as soon as I pull up to the curb. I'm glad she recognized my car because I might not have recognized her. While Addie and I have always worn our hair long and curly, sometimes straight, Lilly has always kept hers shorter—shoulder-length—and always bone straight with lots of caramel highlights. Now though, it’s short, like Halle Berry pixie short, and blond. I stare at her, mouth agape as she gets in the car.

“What?” she asks me with a look of amused annoyance on her face. “You look like I showed up with a baby instead of a new hair style. Close your mouth before flies land in there,” she snaps.

She turns around to grin at Anthony.

“Hey, baby cakes! I missed you. When we get home you better give me lots of hugs and kisses.” She beams at him.

If Anthony notices her hair he doesn’t say anything, he just grins from ear to ear. This kid loves his aunts and they in turn dote on him.

“Hi, Auntie Lilly! Did you bring me cookies?” he asks.

Lilly jumps excitedly, rummages in her purse, and turns around while holding up a huge paper bag triumphantly. “As if I could ever forget.” She hands him the bag, and he opens it immediately.

“Anthony, what do you say?” I admonish.

“Thank you, Auntie Lilly!” he chimes back at her.

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