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I am taking the last order for the dinner rush when Sandra approaches the front counter. Tendrils of her dark hair stick to her neck with sweat, and she looks like she wishes this shift ended eight hours ago. She leans on the counter next to me and lets out a yawn.
“You might want to check your phone. It’s been going off like crazy for the last hour.”
“How odd. I’ll check it after my shift ends. We only have fifteen more minutes.” I respond, and she pushes off to clean tables. I wonder if my best friend Lilli has met her soulmate again. She blows up my phone at least once a month when she meets ‘the one’ and again two weeks later when he lets her down. Deciding to ignore it for now, I grab some cleaner and a rag and follow Sandra.
Thirty minutes later, I’m hanging my hat back up in my locker and grabbing my keys. Remembering what Sandra said, I check my phone and almost stumble at the number of notifications I see. There are thousands of notifications from social media. My post about dad has gone viral. The man is going to kill me. He had said it was okay to post, but I doubt he thought it would go viral. He doesn’t know what viral means.
I throw my phone into the passenger seat as I climb into the car. When I get home, I will deal with the notifications. Maybe it won’t be as bad as I think. I drive home, nervously tapping on the steering wheel. When I pull into my driveway and put the car in park, I sigh and brace myself as I grab my phone.
It is worse than I thought. My post has been shared thousands of times. The local news has left me four messages seeking to do a feature on my father. Several radio stations have requested him to come on air as well. Hundreds of messages fill my inbox with potential leads.
I tuck my phone in my pocket and walk into the house. Dad looks up from where he sits on the couch and gives me a wary smile as I close the door behind me.
“Any reason the local news wants me to come tell them about leaving Susan at the altar Saturday morning?” He asks, and his voice is light, so I know he isn’t mad.
“Maybe because my post went viral?” I say innocently as I show him the notifications on my phone.
“Wow, you are telling me 60,000 people saw your post?” His eyes are wide with awe.
“Those are just the ones that shared it. I’m sure even more have seen it.” I explain.
“Wow, just wow. Maybe she will see it.” Dad runs a hand through his hair as he stands and paces the room in thought.
“Maybe. I already have hundreds of tips.” My phone has been a non-stop flood of notifications.
“I really didn’t think this would work.” Dad looks a little lost as he admits it, as if now that this is happening, he doesn’t know what to do about the reality of speaking to Susan again.
“Thanks for the faith, Dad.” I’m not surprised he didn’t know that this would blow up like this. He’s not very social media savvy.
“Well, you proved me wrong.” He says with a nervous chuckle, and I can tell he is wondering what exactly I got us into.
Chapter 4
That Saturday we sit in the news studio as Shannon Callaway, the anchor for the local news, interviews us. We sit on plain stools with cameras and lights trained on us, and the whole situation feels unnatural. Dad tugs at his collar as he sweats, and I desperately wish I had worn pants rather than this restricting pencil skirt. At least I look cute, even if I can barely walk.
“David, I have to tell you when I saw your daughter’s post, I was immediately interested. Why don’t you tell our viewers a little about your past with Susan Smith?” Shannon prods, just like the assistants had rehearsed with us before we started recording.
“Susan was my high school sweetheart. First girl I ever thought I loved. We would have married the summer after her high school graduation, but the day before our wedding, it hit me. I wasn’t in love with her, but I couldn’t face her or my family and say it, so I left. I never saw her again.” Dad’s eyes are sad and his posture tense as he explains his story to Shannon.
“You left this woman at the altar, and you want to see her again?” Shannon leans forward with interest, her eyes lit up with intrigue.
“Well, I’m not really sure I want to find her so much as my daughter is forcing me.” Dad jokes and some of the tension leaves his shoulders as he shoots me a smile.
“Yes, Hannah, you play a big role in this. Why don’t you tell us why you want to find Susan?” Shannon asks, turning her attention to me and my heart rate picks up as I prepare to speak.
“My mom always told me there was no reason to live with guilt, shame, or regret if we could help it. She wanted this opportunity for my dad to apologize and I want it for him too.” I say seriously, before giving a mischievous smile. “Plus, if I had been left at the altar, I would be furious if I never got the chance to chew out the man who left me, so I guess you could say I’m doing this for Susan too!” I add, smiling widely at the camera.
“I certainly agree with you on that, Hannah. Tell me, since your post has gone viral, have you received any useful leads?” Shannon asks.
“We have received so many tips and I want to thank everyone that has tried to help us find Susan. Unfortunately, we don’t have any solid leads yet, but we are still hopeful.” I answer, hoping people see how grateful Dad and I are and continue to send tips.
“You heard her. Keep sending in the tips, everyone!” She urges, before continuing. “What will you do when you find her?” She asks, addressing us both.
“I just want the opportunity to apologize. Susan didn’t deserve to be left without answers, so I hope I can give them to her thirty years later.” Dad says.
“And what about the chance for something more? Any chance your romance with Susan will be rekindled?” Shannon teases and I see my dad go pale. He fidgets with his wedding ring and looks heartbroken and lost for words.
“Dad already had his love story. Trying to find Susan for us is about doing what is right and living without regrets.” I answer for him and hope he finds my answer satisfactory. He gives me a thankful smile, which eases my worry.
