blame but himself. But knowing it, didn’t
make the fact any easier to live with. A part of
him died the day he left Melissa. A bigger part
of him died the day she left town without a
word. So much time had passed, just over eight
years in fact. He wondered if it was possible to
put the past behind them.
Shane slowly pulled the truck back onto
the roadway. Megan needed him. He wasn’t
going to figure anything out tonight, and
certainly not while parked on the side of a dark
roadway. He’d go back home, take care of his
daughter and figure out a plan in the morning.
****
Melissa pulled out of her driveway and
headed for the Sheriff’s Office. She was lucky
to live in a neighborhood that rarely changed.
She’d known her next door neighbor, Mrs.
Chilcot, all her life but she never would have
asked her for help. It all sort of just happened,
almost like fate had worked everything out.
She’d been surprised when she opened the door
and saw Agnes Chilcot standing there with a
plate of cookies and a kind word of welcome.
Of course, she insisted the elderly lady come in
so they could catch up. They’d gotten to
visiting and the topic had come up of Melissa’s
new job. Agnes immediately asked if she
needed help with Jeremy since school started
almost an hour after Melissa’s shift started.
Everything had worked out perfectly. The only
downside was that Agnes had been ancient
when Melissa was growing up. She had to be
at least eighty five now. Melissa worried that
Jeremy’s energy would be too much for Agnes
to take, especially that early in the morning.
But for today, Melissa was not going to borrow
trouble. Things had worked out and she was
headed for the first day in her new job.
****
The instant Sarah heard the news she was
in her car and headed to the Peter’s house.
Melissa was back. She was so excited, she could
hardly stand it. Sarah pulled into the drive and
rushed to the door. There wasn’t a car in the
driveway and the house looked vacant. Had
the rumors been wrong? Was Sissy making
things up again to get attention? Sarah was so
deep in thought that she jumped when she
heard her name. “Oh Mrs. Chilcot, hello.”
“Sorry to startle you dear.
I assume
you’re looking for Melissa.”
The elderly
neighbor requested.
“Yes, I am.” Sarah said moving from the
porch to stand beside the small fence separating
the two yards. “Have you seen her?”
“I spoke to her yesterday and again this
morning.” Agnes said cheerfully. “She’s still
a beauty, that one. It’s a pleasure having her
home and her son is a pure delight.”
“Son?” Sarah asked. But immediately
shifted gears, Mel could tell her about that
later. “You don’t happen to know where she
might be, do you?”
“Oh yes,” Agnes said still beaming. “She’s
at the Sheriff’s Office.”
“What?”
Sarah asked in surprise.
“Why? What happened?” She’d have to call
Jason and see what he could do to help.
“Sorry dear.” Agnes said, realizing Sarah
misunderstood. “I didn’t mean to alarm you.
I assumed you knew because of Jason. Melissa
is working for Joe Swenson.
Dispatcher,
secretary or some such thing. She’s taken
Dolly’s old job.”
“Oh, well good.” Sarah said. And it
was.
If Melissa was working for Sheriff
Swenson chances were good she’d stay in town
awhile. Sarah couldn’t be happier. She just
wondered why Melissa hadn’t called her. She’d
missed her friend these past eight years and
was anxious to catch up. “You don’t happen to
know when she gets off do you?”
“I believe she said three.”
Agnes
considered. “Yes, three o’clock because she
said she’d be home before Jeremy.
“Jeremy?” Sarah asked, confused.
“Yes, Jeremy. Delightful boy. I admit I
was a little worried. Kids that age have so
much energy and at my age there’s no way I
can keep up. But the boy was a real treat. No
problem at all. Anyway, I’m sure Melissa said
three o’clock and that’s why I didn’t need to
watch for the boy after school.”
“I see.” But she really didn’t. Mel was
going to have to fill in the details. So, Melissa
Peter’s had a son. Sarah wondered how old he
was. With any luck he might be old enough to