Page 46 of Truly Forever
“Different how?”
Unfolding from the chair, he crosses his arms, covering the security nametag dangling from its lanyard. “Now, I’m not sure about this, but—go with me here—I thought maybe I saw a smile before you hung up the phone.”
Chapter 9
John
Is it only Tuesday?
Throwing my head back, I dig it into the cushion of my chair. The grating phone-ringing can go away any time now. I’m sick of this office.
The beach sounds nice. Or the mountains. It’s been a minute since I’ve gotten away. Or maybe a half-dozen years—so I might just be ready to give myself a pass if I finally wimp out and use up a few vacation days.
My phone rings, and I tilt enough to make out the screen.Hollie.
I stare at her name—yes, I added her to my contacts after her quite unnecessary thank-you call. I’d love to hear her voice, but, knowing me, I’d sabotage the moment, same as the last time we spoke, the day pesky Walker interrupted our flow.
Would it have hurt to have shown some enthusiasm when she was finally on an upbeat swing?
Yeah, sort of. I call things like I see them, so I’ll believe in a hormonal, doesn’t-know-what’s-good-for-him kid’s change of heart when I see it.
Taking the risk, I slide the talk button, and rise to close the door. “Hey, good morning.”
In a raspy voice, Hollie quickly rids me of that notion. “John, I can’t find Jacob!”
The tears that have to be in her eyes are practically visible over the phone. I let my hand fall from the door knob. “Slow down, Hollie. Take a deep breath…”
“Do not tell me to calm down, John Chavez!”
Now see, I specifically avoided that phrase. I drop into one of the guest chairs Walker has taken to lounging around in and harassing me from. “Tell me what’s going on.”
I hear her try to collect herself. “The school called. They said he isn’t in class today and that this is his third unexcused absence since last week. I had no idea!”
I toss my head back, studying the ceiling tiles.Kids. See, this is why—
Why what? Yeah, kids, teens especially, are obnoxious, but if I had the chance to do things over with Tyler, I would. I’d cherish every second, and I’d be present enough to fret. Not detached and neglectful. Selfish.
Scared.
I stave off a sigh. “I take it you’ve tried calling?”
“What do you think!”
Okay, then. “So he’ll show up this evening and get the talking-to of a lifetime. It will be alright, Hollie.”
“No. It won’t! He has a hearing scheduled for two o’clock today. We’re supposed to meet Ben at the courthouse in two hours. If he misses this…”
I clench the armrest.Stupid kid.“You don’t think he’s going to show?”
There’s hesitation on her end of the line. “I don’t know what to think. He’s come home, of course, the other days he’s skipped, but if he’s afraid…”
“Do you have any idea where he’d go?”
“The attendance clerk saidtheyhave missed three days, and then she corrected herself tohim.I have to assume she meant Reagan is absent, too.”
Naturally.
“She’s not answering her phone, either.”