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When Terrell texted me the all-clear, I brought her out of the locker room, and we went back to the gym, spending minutes, hours, dancing together. Enjoying each other’s company. Learning about each other.
Her favorite flower? Violets.
Her favorite movie?The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
Her favorite food? Chili and cinnamon rolls. (Apparently that was a Kansas thing.)
I told her about my lessons with Jacinda, how I was still trying to come up with a good mission statement for my future business. I talked about how annoyed I used to get that Mateo copied my every move or that Adelita and Marisol fought over clothes in the morning. I shared how much I loved my family, and how someday, I wanted a family just like mine.
We talked about how fast senior year was going and how we couldn’t believe our final CNA class was next week...
And then her phone began to ring.
She’d carried it with her in this wrist purse that matched her dress. But instead of putting her phone on silent, she excused herself, walking away from the dance floor to answer it.
I didn’t feel great, standing there with everyone watching while my girl just walked away. So I followed her to the hallway right outside the gym and listened to what phone call was so important.
“Mom, slow down,” she said. Then she nodded, her dark eyebrows drawn tightly together.
“Where is he?” she asked.
Another pause.
“Have you called the police?”
My chest tightened. This sounded really bad. I could hear a voice talking on the other end but couldn’t make out the words.
“I haven’t heard from him.” She paused. “No, no texts or missed calls. I’m coming home.”
April’s expression pinched even more. “Yes, of course I’m coming home!... You think I could enjoy the dance with my dad missing?... I’ll figure it out... Bye... Love you.”
She hung up, turning toward me with tears already filling her eyes. “My dad is missing.”
I covered my mouth. “April...”
“He took the car, and Mom doesn’t know where he went.”
My stomach sank, feeling her fear become my own. “Can he drive with his injury?”
“He’s not supposed to because he’s prone to seizures, but Mom’s hoping his instincts will kick in.” She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Diego. You can stay at the dance, but I need to go home.”
“Didn’t Sadie drive you?” I asked.
“I’ll call a taxi. Mom will pay for it when I get there.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” I took her hand, holding on tightly. “I’ll take you home.”
Her eyes were wide blue pools as she looked up to me. “It’s your senior homecoming, Diego. I’ve only been here a few months. This school—it’s been your life.”
I shook my head, shocked that she was thinking about me in a moment like this. “I’ve been to three homecoming dances, and most of this one. The only way I’d be missing out was if I wasn’t there for you right now.” I tilted my head. “Now come on, maybe we can look for him on the way to your house.”
She bit her lip, nodding, and followed me down the hallway. We let go of each other’s hands so she could hold her dress as we hurried down the stairs, and then we raced to my car in the parking lot.
I opened the door for her, holding it until she and all of her dress was inside, then jogged around to my side. I could see her knee shaking as we pulled out of the parking lot and drove toward our neighborhood.
“What car would he be driving?” I asked. “Yours or your mom’s?”
“I didn’t ask. God, I’m so stupid,” she said, self-loathing in her voice.
