Stripped(34)
“My Mom doesn’t know where he lives.”
“Okay… I’ve got a friend who’s a cop. I can have him search for Tim’s name and address for us.”
“Should I call the police to report this?”
“I don’t think they’ll do anything since he’s their father.”
“Right. I’m going to call Audrey and Sara’s friends and see if any of them saw anything.”
“I’ll be there soon, okay?”
The phone calls turned up nothing, and Abby felt like a caged animal as she paced the house frantically. Her mind raced with all the terrible possibilities she never wanted her younger sisters to have to face. As soon as Chris pulled into the driveway, she ran from the house to meet him.
“Anything?” he asked hopefully.
“No. Mom tried to call Tim, but he didn’t answer.”
“Did you call the school? Are you sure Tim has them?”
“There’s no one left at the school.”
Chris reached for her, and Abby sank into his arms with an anguished sob.
“I can’t stand not knowing where they are and imagining what could be happening to them,” she cried.
“I know,” he said softly, holding her tightly. He led her into the house, where Kathy was pulling on her shoes.
“I’ll find them,” she said.
“We’ll come with you,” Abby offered, reaching for her purse.
“No. Let me. I’ll have to go to some places that I need to go alone.”
“Mom, is it safe?” Abby’s voice broke with worry.
“It’s safe for me. Don’t worry. Stay here in case they come back, okay?”
Abby nodded numbly, allowing Chris to help her onto the couch.
“You have to be at work soon,” she mumbled.
“No, someone’s covering me. I’m staying with you.”
As Abby’s mind continued to spin with the possibilities, her chest tightened and she pressed her hand to it.
“I think I might be sick,” she said. “I’m so hot, and my chest hurts. I can’t breathe.”
“Lay back,” Chris said, reaching for her wrist to feel her pulse. “Let’s put your feet up. Try to relax, Abby. Take some deep breaths. Everything’s gonna be okay.”
“I love them so much. They mean everything to me.”
“I know. Just close your eyes and take some deep breaths. I want you to stay right here while we wait.”
She reached for his hand, clasping it tightly as she closed her eyes. Time seemed to stop as they sat together in silence. The tightness in Abby’s chest passed, but her nausea wouldn’t subside.
As soon as Kathy’s headlights passed over the window as she pulled into the driveway, Abby bolted from the couch.
“Please, please have them,” she whispered. She ran to the kitchen door and opened it, choking back a cry when she saw Audrey and Sara.
“Abby, I’m sorry,” Audrey said as Abby reached for them both and pulled them close for a tearful embrace.
“You guys! I’m so glad to see you! Where were you?”
“Dad picked us up on the way home,” Sara said. Abby pulled back, glancing at Audrey.
“I’m sorry,” Audrey said, looking guilty. “I didn’t want to go, but Sara did, and I told her not to, but…I thought I should go to look after her.”
“Are you both okay? Did anything bad happen?” Abby asked frantically.
“We’re okay. He took us to the park and out for ice cream,” Audrey said.
“You know you can be honest with me, no matter what, right?” Abby asked.
“I know. I know what you’re worried about. We’re both okay.”
Abby felt weak as the sick feeling passed, and she led the girls into the house.
“Mom, thanks for getting them,” she called outside to Kathy, who was still in the driver’s seat of her car.
“I’m going back out,” Kathy said, backing out. Abby looked at her, confused.
“What about dinner? Aren’t you hungry?”
Kathy was already out of earshot, and Abby closed the door.
“Chris, will you eat with Sara while I talk to Audrey?” she asked, walking Audrey into her bedroom.
Abby stroked her younger sister’s hair, sighing as she considered.
“Aud…when you said you knew what I was worried about, what did you mean?”
“You don’t want Dad to hurt us, the way he hurt you.”
“What do you know about that?”
“I’ve heard Mom talking about it. That you and him…it’s a word I’m not supposed to say.”
Abby’s face crumpled with sadness. She had always hoped the girls didn’t understand the things Kathy said about her.