Page 94 of Changing Lanes

“Where? I want to see her, now!” I yell. My mom walks through the door.

“Brannon, what’s going on?” She hugs me.

“They’re asking if Torrie could harm Andi or at least that’s the way I’m taking it,” I spit.

“That’s the way I’m taking it also. No. There’s no way. Torrie treats Andi like her own. Maybe you should check with Ava, Andi’s biological mother. Because I’m telling you right now, Torrie would take a bullet for Andi. Dear God, people, Andi calls Torrie ‘momma’ and her mother ‘Ava’.” Mom looks at them in dismay.

“Where’s Torrie?” I demand this time.

“She’s down at the courthouse. They’re holding her until she answers all of their questions,” Rick tells me.

“I’m going. We’ll drive,” One says, holding Lea’s hand.

“No. Take Lea home,” I beg.

“I’ll be fine a little longer. Besides she may need my checkbook for bail or an attorney,” Lea offers on her way past me.

“Alright. Mom, stay here and wait for Andi. Hardy?” He nods as Thayer takes a seat. They’ll stay with my mom. “Thank you.”

I kiss Mom and I’m out the door before One gets the car turned around. He stops and I slide in behind him. “Thank you. I’ll never be able to repay you.”

“No need. I’m glad you got your head straight before you went in there.” One glances in the rearview mirror at me. Lea looks at him.

“I’d appreciate you not reminding me what an asshole I am.” Shaking my head.

“You were upset, it’s to be expected. I hope you don’t hold it against me for the way I talked to you.” He smirks.

“Reminded me of my dad, I needed it.” He nods at my acknowledgment.

“How could Andi vanish so fast? Have they found Ava yet?” I wonder out loud.

“They’ve issued an APB for Ava, no one has seen her. No clue, the clerk said she could barely help Torrie because she kept watching Andi.” Lea shrugs. “Torrie’s a mess. She looks bad, she keeps vomiting. She went to every store on Main Street, screaming for Andi. The clerk told the police, Torrie had them call within minutes. She didn’t hesitate, went straight into action.”

I wipe tears from my face. “This will break Torrie, she’ll never recover, y’all. She’ll never forgive herself.”

“She sat in a ball in the middle of the living room floor until they took her downtown. She only moved to go throw up. She’s bad,” Lea says.

Parking in front of the courthouse, we hurry through the front door. All hell breaks loose when we ask to see her, only allowing legal counsel to visit with Torrie. Lea finds an attorney with her checkbook, and One finds the mayor.

Torrie walks out to us within the hour, apologies fill the room. Torrie won’t look at me. Lea wraps her arms around Torrie, walking her in the restroom. One and I claim her things while we wait for the girls. It’s as if the police were trying to charge her with something.

One asks me to join him outside, continuing to text as we exit the courthouse. When the door opens again, Lea and Torrie walk out. Aksel, One and Lea’s oldest son, pulls up. Torrie walks past me. I’m looking at everyone’s faces, trying to get a clue to what’s going on.

“Hey, hang on a minute. What the fuck is going on?” I yell.

Torrie glances at me, her face tear-stained and pained. “What do you need to know? Lea said they’ve told you everything.”

“They did. How are you?” Asking as I take a step toward her, she steps back. “What is it, Torrie?”

“I’m sorry. Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen, I swear I didn’t. I love Andi, I love her!” she screams.

“I know, baby. I know you would never do anything to hurt, Andi.” I begin speaking to her in a calm, quiet tone.

“No, you don’t, you don’t believe me. Maybe it’s what I get for being so jealous of Ava,” she rasps out, her voice is hoarse.

“Torrie, stop it. No one believes you did this on purpose. You were hurt, you never meant those things. I know you didn’t.”

“I didn’t. I love her, Brannon. I’m sorry. You need to go home, be there for when they find her.” She turns toward Aksel’s car.