T scowled. “Man, he ain’t none-a your concern.”
“Beg pardon, but Devon Robinson is my concern,” Rev said, then gestured to Marla, Granny, and Rebecca. “He’s our concern.He’s our friend. Is he sick?”
“He’s gone.”
Marla frowned. “What do you mean, gone?”
“Got a hearing problem? He’s. Gone.” T’s last word came out in a hiss.
Rebecca felt rather than saw Rev’s muscles tense. Marla put a warning hand on his arm. Granny slipped her hand into Rebecca’s.
“Well, where is he?”
“How would I know? Kid took off after the ambulance came.”
“Ambulance!” Rebecca blurted.
“My Maw. Had’a go to the hospital.” T set his chin. “He took off out the back door. Ain’t seen ’im since.”
T tried to shut the door, but Rev’s foot blocked it.
Rebecca’s throat went dry.
“When?” Rev asked. “And where’s Memaw?”
“Yesterday, day before. Dunno where he went,” T muttered. “Maw’s at regional. Ambulance came Thursday. Now move your foot, a’ight?”
Thursday? Her hand tightened in Granny’s.
“Has he taken off before?” Rev asked.
“First time for everything.” A small smile threatened. “He ain’t all that. He’ll be back.”
Rev’s back stiffened. “No, sir, that’s where you’re wrong. He won’t be back. Ladies, to the car.”
Marla gunned the engine as they all slid in.
Before he got in, Rev called to T, “Mark my words. We’re going to find your nephew, and if you ever see him again, it’ll be to say goodbye. For good.”
Thursday. Rebecca closed her eyes, tried her best to drown out the roaring in her ears. Devon’s Memaw had been in the hospital since Thursday, if they could believe T, and no one had seen or heard from Devon himself in days. God gives us instincts for areason. Why hadn’t she trusted hers? She wished Josh were with her now, wished it so badly she could taste it. Where was Devon?
“Rebecca, you had burgers with him a few days ago, right?” Rev said, pulling a notepad and pen from the center console as they backed away from the house, headed to their cars.
“Thursday, at Harold’s,” Rebecca said, squeezed her eyes shut. All those days, all that time. Wasted. On what—etiquette? Soothed feelings?
“He wasn’t at the giveaway Friday, or at camp,” Marla said.
“And he wasn’t at church Sunday,” Rev said, making notes.
“We came by with soup Saturday and didn’t see him,” Granny said.
Marla pulled out her cell phone, dialed. “Hi, Diane, this is Marla Bryant from Dahlia Community Bible Church,” she said in a warm voice. “Good to hear your voice, too! Listen, I’m checking in on a member. Do you have a Dolores Robinson as a patient there?” Marla nodded at them, gave a thumbs up. “Since Thursday night, you say?”
“Is Devon there too?” Rev mouthed, and Marla added, “You haven’t seen her little grandson by chance, have you? Devon. He’s eleven. ... No? All righty, we’ll be down in a bit to visit. You be sure to send our love, now.”
She hung up.
“Okay, so at least that’s the truth—Memaw’s in the hospital, but no sign of Devon.” Marla frowned. “Now where would Devon go if not to us? Does he have any close friends who might take him in?”
