Page 106 of Finding a Melody

“I think,” Toby said slowly, “that it takes two to fix a relationship. That if one party doesn’t bother, then it isn’t something worth it. You can chase after a connection all you want, but if the other person isn’t willing, then nothing good will come out of it. I think the situation with your parents is a perfect example. Your dad reached out to you. Repeatedly. And you were finally able to hear him, and now you have a chance. But I also think that with your mom, it isn’t that simple.”

I pressed my lips together, ready to jump to her defense. Despite everything, I was always ready to jump to her defense.

“I’m not saying it’s impossible,” Toby said quickly. “I don’t really know. I don’t understand a lot of the nuisances of your relationship. I don’t understand why you do so much for her when she gives you so little. We always say that you should do something for your loved ones without thinking you’d get anything back in return. That love is unconditional. But there’s a limit. You should at least get love, respect, and appreciation back from them. Something like that. But does your mom do that?”

I wanted to say yes, but still, my lips remained sealed.

Toby didn’t call me out on it at least. “I want to say that eventually, you’ll find your peace with your parents. I really hope you do. And as you try to find that, remember, I’m here for you. We can write and sing out your feelings every time. I’m willing to make that sacrifice for you.” He smiled at me.

I snorted. “Of course, just as you’re saying something deep and beautiful, you have to ruin it with your goofiness.”

Toby chuckled. “I have lots of amazing things to say. But I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t do that.”

“Right.” I packed away the sheet music and stood up on the bleachers, stretching out my body. “I’m gonna head to my appointment. You’re getting a ride with Paxon, right?”

“Yup!” He waved me off. “Have fun with the doctor.”

I laughed. “I will.”

“And when you go home and dive back into your never-ending work, be sure to take lots of breaks and make sure you step outside once in a while for fresh air. You need sun to grow.”

I glanced up at the heavy clouds in the sky. It was supposed to rain tomorrow, with chances of thunderstorms. “What sun?”

Toby stood up and glared at the sky. “Weather is at it again. I swear its moods swing back and forth more often than—”

“Are you sure you want to finish that thought?” I asked playfully.

“Nope. I won’t finish it,” he said quickly with wide eyes. Then he pressed his lips together as if he had to fight to stop himself.

I was still laughing as I made my way to the parking lot. It was a lot emptier now that only those doing after school activities were the only ones around. There were a few more vehicles I walked past and in the distance, I could hear others giggling.

A compact SUV drove slowly by, and I made sure to be out of its way. It still kept moving slowly, not even passing. I frowned, looking back, but I couldn’t see much in the tinted windows.

The back of my neck prickled in awareness as I hurried faster toward my car, already digging out my keys. I glanced back in time to see the car stop, so I hurried my speed. When there was the sound of a door closing, I looked back to see a man slightly older than me. Lean, tall. Sandy brown hair and a young face. He was a bit cute.

Our eyes met and he gave me an innocent smile. I awkwardly returned it before turning around and making my way back to my car relaxing. At least until I heard pounding feet. Coming closer. Louder.

I looked behind me again and this time gasped as the man was sprinting to me, already only a few feet away from me. His expression scared me with how cold it was. The SUV started up again and drove toward me fast, tires squealing. I jumped between two cars, not wanting to be hit. The man changed his path, aiming right for me.

What?

Instinct screamed to run, so I did, dropping my bag, turning, and running. I weaved through the sparse cars, and the whole time, I could hear him behind me, feet pounding against the pavement, barely breathing heavily.

Me? I was already gasping, trying to draw in air as fear whirled around inside of me. Maybe I was being silly, maybe he was chasing after me not for nefarious means, but frankly, it all seemed like a joke.

If he did have something innocent to tell me, he would have called out. Right?

A truck sat in front of me and I turned hard, hitting the truck, unable to turn fast enough, then I scrambled around it. Or at least, I tried to, but a hand grabbed the back of my shirt and yanked hard.

I grunted as I fell back on my ass. I opened my mouth to scream, but his hand covered it. There was a sound of screeching tires. The vehicle.

Shit. No way. This wasn’t right.

I scrambled to fight back, but he was bigger, stronger, and knew what he was doing. Before I could do much else, I was on my stomach, trying to breathe around a cloth shoved into my mouth. Another covered my eyes and he was yanking hard on my arms as he used something to bind my arms together.

I thrashed around, kicking and trying to scream.

“Help me grab her,” someone said and then while he carried me by my arms, someone else grabbed my feet. I tried again to kick out as hard as I could, but it was useless. I was tossed into the SUV, the scent of new leather wrapping around me. Tires were screeching, and then we were off.