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“It’s nothing.”
“It’s something. Tell me.”
Joy drops her notebook, and her shoulders sag under the weight of whatever is bothering her.
“Jinx is missing.”
“Your cat? What do you mean, he’s missing?”
“He got out of my apartment last night and I can’t find him.”
“I’m sure he’s in the building somewhere.”
She throws up her hands, and tears fall from her eyes and roll down her cheeks.
“I’ve looked, Kris. I thought maybe he went back to his old apartment, so I tried there first. But the new tenants haven’t seen him. I’ve checked with everyone in the building.”
“He’s probably scared and hiding.”
“What if he got outside when somebody opened the door?”
“I’m sure he’ll come back.” Damn it, I wish I could be there for her. But even if I left right now, it would be at least nine hours until I reached her. By then, he could have returned on his own.
“I’ve been all over the neighborhood and nothing.” She cries, and my gut clenches because I can’t cuddle her and comfort her.
“Look, honey, why don’t you take the rest of the day and look? I’ll finish up the tour details and you go look for Jinx. I’m sure he’s waiting somewhere close, hoping you’ll find him. He probably just went searching for his original owner and when he couldn’t find her, he went into hiding. He might not even know you’re looking for him.”
“Are you sure?” Her devastation guts me.
I want to help her. “Yes. And if you don’t find him by tomorrow, I’ll drive down and help you look.”
Joy rolls her eyes. “I can’t ask you to do that. Your parents need you there.”
“They’ll be fine for a few days.” Mom’s been responding well to her treatments. And Dad is okay on his own. He’s not so worried anymore and spends as much time with her as he can, anyway.
“Thanks for the offer, Kris. I will take the rest of today, though, to go look.”
“Call me if you find him.”
Joy’s smile wobbles, but it’s still a smile. “I will. Thanks, Kris.”
I spend the rest of the afternoon completing the details and worrying about Joy and Jinx.
My phone beeps with a message before I’m ready to call it a night. Joy. My heart swells with love for her, hoping it’s good news.
I don’t even bother with hello. “Did you find him?”
I watch the bubbles dance for a second. “I did. Can I call you?”
“Of course.”
“It’s not too late?”
“For you? Never.”
I wait for my phone to ring, answering it before the music stops. “Where was he?”
She sighs heavily, and I can hear the relief in the sound. “I was walking past an alley a couple of streets over when I hear a meow. There he was, behind a dumpster. Dirty. Lethargic. And I think he was in a fight. There was blood on one of his ears and he was limping.”
