***
The day seemed to drag, and by the time I was finished with my biology class, I couldn’t wait to get home. It was Friday and I had a weekend to do four days of homework, but I was used to it and didn’t really care. I was going to take a night off and go to a movie with a friend of mine, Susan. I hadn’t seen her in over two weeks, my brain was mush, and I desperately needed some time away from all things “school”.
“Hey,” I said, walking into the house. I dropped my backpack next to the front door.
Both of my parents looked up and I could tell from their expressions that something was wrong.
“What is it?” I asked, surprised that my dad was home so early. Being a bankruptcy lawyer, I never saw him walk in the door earlier than seven.
“Your cousin is still missing,” he said, putting an arm around my mom’s shoulder. “She hasn’t returned anyone’s calls and Jody is frantic.”
I frowned. “Where is Aunt Jody?”
My mom, who was also clearly upset, looked up. “She’s at home. Grandma is with her.”
“Oh.”
Sighing, she stood up and stretched her arms above her head. “Your dad and I are heading over there, too, pretty soon. Would you like to come with?”
“Uh, sure,” I replied. “I have to call Susan, though. We were going to see a movie tonight, but I’ll definitely cancel.”
“No, don’t cancel,” she said. “You should still go with her. You haven’t gotten out in a while and a movie would be good. Besides, we don’t even know for sure if she’s really missing.”
“Are you sure?” I asked, still thinking that Melody was just being Melody – selfish and irresponsible.
“Your mother is right,” said my dad, running a hand through his short hair, which was the same color as mine. “This might be nothing to worry about. Chances are that she’ll walk through her front door any minute.”
I glanced at my mother again. “Are you sure? I don’t have to go.”
“Yes. We’ll call you if there really is a problem,” replied my mom.
“Okay,” I replied, a little relieved. I really didn’t want to be there when Melody got home and was hollered at. She’d probably blame me for her getting into trouble.
Dad looked at his watch. “We should get going. There’s a hockey game I’d like to watch at four. If we’re lucky, we’ll make it there before the game starts.”
My mom’s eyes widened. “Richard!”
He grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, Mary. Hey, it gives me something to do while you guys wait for her to come home.”
“And if she doesn’t?” asked my mom, folding her arms across her chest.
“I know, I’ll TiVo it,” he said, walking toward the stairs leading to the family room.
My mom smirked and shook her head. “I don’t know what he’d do without cable,” she replied, turning back to me.
“No doubt.”
“There’s some leftover lasagna from last night in the refrigerator,” she said, picking up her purse from the coffee table. “Unless you’re going to grab a bite to eat before the movie?”
“No. We’ll just eat popcorn.”
“Okay.” She opened up the closet and took out her camel-colored Uggs. “I’ll text you when she comes home, or,” she frowned, “if we find out that she really is missing.”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine. It’s Melody, mom.”
“I know.” She zipped up her boots and then walked over to me. “Have fun at the movies,” she said, kissing the top of my head.
“I will. Look at you in those heeled boots,” I grinned. “You must be five-two now.”
My lack of height came from my mother.
“You think so?” she replied, staring down at them.
My dad walked back upstairs. “Oh, I like those, Mary,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. “Are they new?”
“No, I just never wear them.”
“They’re cute,” I said.
“Cute? They’re sexy. You can wear them in the bed any time you want,” he teased.
“Oh, my God,” I groaned. “You’re gross.”
He laughed and grabbed his car keys from the credenza. “Lock the door when you leave, Pumpkin.”
“I will.”
He turned to me and his face became serious. “Watch yourselves. I’m pretty sure this thing with Melody is nothing to be concerned about, but you and Susan are both good-looking, young girls and… well, there are monsters out there.”
“Yes,” I replied, trying not to roll my eyes. As far as I was concerned, both of them were way too overprotective.
He put his hands on my shoulders and squeezed. “Honey, I know you’re tired of the same old spiel, but you know, being a prosecutor I’ve come face-to-face with some real dirt-bags. The absolute scum of the earth. The worst part is that there are so many out there who have yet to be caught.” His forehead wrinkled. “I just worry about you.”
“Oh, I’ll be fine,” I replied, smiling up at him. “You know me.”
He released my shoulders. “I know I’d beat the living tar out of anyone who ever hurt you. Anyway, just always be aware of your surroundings and make sure you never run out of gas again.”
I shuddered, remembering that freaky night. “I guarantee that will never happen again.”
He chuckled. “I bet.”
A year ago, I’d run out of gas around ten o’clock at night, on a deserted freeway. I’d forgotten my cell phone at home, and had ended up walking to the nearest gas station. The road had been dark and spooky, and I’d almost felt like someone had been watching me from the woods. By the time I’d gotten to the station, I’d just called my dad to come and pick me up, too terrified to walk back alone with a canister of gasoline.
“Richard,” said my mother, staring at her watch. “We should get going. I told Jody we’d be there in an hour and… that was over an hour ago.”
“Fine. Can we pick up some tacos along the way?” he asked. “I haven’t eaten since noon.”
“There’s no time. I can always order a pizza or something when we get there.” She turned to me. “Chelsey, have fun tonight, and don’t worry about your cousin.”
“Okay.”
“Maybe I should go with Chelsey and Susan,” said my dad. “Check out the movie theater. Make sure Melody isn’t hiding out there?”
She pushed him toward the door. “Would you just stop, already?” she said, shaking her head. “You’re coming with me.”
He looked at me over his shoulder and smirked. “I had to try.”
“I know.”
“Maybe you should try harder at being more sympathetic to my sister,” said mom.
He closed the door before I could hear his response, which I knew would probably make her laugh. I was one of the very few and fortunate who had parents that bickered, but lovingly and forgivingly. I couldn’t say that about many of my friends’ parents or even Aunt Jody. She’d been divorced for ten years after being cheated on, and hadn’t had much luck dating. From what my mom said, her ex-husband had been reckless and out-of-control. He liked to drink, party, and live on the edge, and, obviously, his daughter was hell bent on following in his footsteps.