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JONES: I’m here. You on our way?
JONES: I’m getting worried, bro.
JONES: I know you love her but it can’t be that bad. Call me.
JONES: Still waiting. I’m about to head down there.
JONES: Last chance. Call me or I’m coming to find you.
JONES: On my way.
What is his deal? Why is he freaking out? What can’t be that bad? Is he talking about Chloe?
The bell above the door chimes. Turning to let them know we’re closed, I’m drawn into Jones’s arms.
“I’m so sorry, man.”
“What the hell are you talking about? Sorry about what?” I ask, pushing him away.
“Chloe,” he says, his head tilting in confusion.
“What about her? Is she okay?” My heart begins to ache inside my chest at the thought that something bad has happened to Chloe.
“Have you been here all day?”
“Yeah. I was supposed to meet Chloe this morning, but she never showed. Have you seen her?”
Jones takes a step back, and then another. Once he’s out of reach, he takes a deep breath and tells me everything he knows.
Jumping into his car, we race to Chloe’s house only to find it dark. I beat on the door for ten minutes before opening the door and coming face to face with a young Hispanic woman.
“Can I help you?”
“Where’s Chloe?” I demand, grabbing on to her shoulders.
“She’s not here. She has left for school.”
“No. She has two weeks still. When did she leave?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Warren took her this afternoon.”
“What? Why? This can’t be happening. Where is she!” I scream.
Her shoulders begin to shake beneath my hands. Releasing her, I walk through the open door. When I turn to apologize, she closes the door in my face and I hear the deadbolt slide into place.
Chloe’s gone. She left me without saying goodbye.
“This isn’t right,” I profess.
“I’m sorry, man. I thought you knew. I figured that’s why you weren’t answering me.”
“No. I left her a note this morning to call me when she didn’t show up. I bet she didn’t even bother to go down to the pond.”
“I’m sure she tried.”
“Well, she should have tried harder. Let’s go,” I demand, descending the steps.
Jones drives up to the pond, a bottle of rum hidden in his trunk. As soon as we clear the tree line, I walk over to where I left Chloe the note. Reaching for the paper, I almost crumple it up when I see her handwriting.
