He held me tight, trembling slightly.
He kissed the top of my head. “Such a good one,” he said softly.
George was tired around the eyes when I helped him into the passenger seat. The rest of the drive, he slept on and off. At one point, he woke up to ask where we were going, and I squeezed his hand. “Going to get our girl,” I said.
“Yes, yes, I know. Of course. Josephine will give me gray hairs,” he said, tipping his head back. I didn’t think he was here with me when he said that, and I wondered how many times George and William had to take middle-of-the-night adventures to help my sister.
Collette’s well-being plagued me. Joey shouldn’t even be driving, let alone trying to take care of a child. I should have never fallen asleep. I gripped the steering wheel and focused on getting there.
We made it to Lincoln County, Nevada. My eyes burned as I tried to navigate the map and drive. I wasn’t even sure I held it right side up.
“Come on, let me help.” George took the paper stubbornly. “Don’t forget, when it comes to this old-school stuff, I’m the expert.”
I huffed a hollow laugh, too tired to fight him. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I could figure it out without help.
I had no idea what time it was when we pulled up to a large but boring house in a suburb with perfectly xeriscaped yards.
I took a steadying breath and stared at the front door.
“You can do this,” George said.
“I just really thought I’d have a plan by now.”
“You did have the whole drive.”
“I panicked. Now I’m not sure what I’m going to be able to do.”
“You are that girl’s mother. I love Joey. I know she has her struggles, but you love Collette like nobody else.”
“I do love her.” I let that feeling strengthen my determination and yell louder than the fear.
“Have as much faith in yourself as we all have in you.”
“Okay. I can do this.” I nodded, shoring myself up. “I’m going to get her.”
“Yes, you are.” George squeezed my shoulder. “I’ll be here if you need me.”
As I made my way to the door, I was disheveled and out of place in this cookie-cutter neighborhood. But I kept my chin high. Fake it until you make it, like Brooks said. I rang the doorbell, aware of how ragged and worn out I looked. A woman around my age, but far more put together in her pencil skirt, blouse, and gleaming gold jewelry, answered the door.
“Can I help you?” she asked cautiously.
“I’m here for Collette,” I said.
I didn’t have a plan but it didn’t matter. I wasn’t leaving without my little girl.
“Um. I don’t understand.” Her large smile stayed in place as she spoke.
“She doesn’t belong here. She belongs with me,” I said.
The woman glanced into the house. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’ll be right back.”
Before she could close the door, I screamed, “Collette! It’s Frankie!”
The door shut in my face.
I banged with both fists. I looked like a crazy person. I didn’t care. Let the neighbors see. Call the police. I wasn’t leaving.
A second later, the door ripped open. “What are you doing?” Joey hissed and pushed me back away from the front porch stairs, slamming the door.
