“You’re right,” says Bree. “I’ll reserve judgment until we hear what their friends have to say tonight.”
Alex realizes that neither of them has eaten since breakfast. His belly is grumbling. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m hungry.” He hops off the bed. “Let’s see what Nana Mama packed for us.”
Alex reaches into the side pockets of their luggage and retrieves the two heavy Tupperware containers.
Bree joins him in the suite’s kitchenette as he pulls off the lids and peeks inside.
“Wow, Nana,” she says. “You’ve really outdone yourself.”
Each Tupperware container holds several ziplock bags. The largest contains portions of Nana Mana’s famed lemon and herb roasted chicken. Another is packed with roasted potatoes. A third has thick slices of homemade cornbread. And a fourth has utensils, cloth napkins, and pats of butter.
Underneath, in another little plastic sealed bag, there’s a short note written in Nana Mama’s old-school cursive.
I love you both, and I know you’ll find Damon soon, safe and sound.
“Bless you, Nana,” Alex murmurs. Bree pulls plates from the suite’s cupboard and spoons out portions. One after the other, the plates go into the microwave. Alex pulls two bottled waters from the minifridge. In a few minutes, the hotel room starts to smell like their kitchen at home.
When the reheating is done, Alex and Bree sit down at the small table.
“My goodness,” says Bree, digging into her chicken. “There’s enough food here for three people!”
She stops cold as soon as she says it.
Alex reaches over and puts his hand on hers. “Soon,” he says, “we’ll all be together again. I promise.”
And Alex always keeps his promises.
CHAPTER 21
AFTER THE DISHES ARE cleaned and put away and the extra food carefully placed in the refrigerator, Alex calls home. He puts his phone on speaker. On the second ring, somebody picks up.
“Hello? Dad?”
It’s his younger son, Ali.
“Hey there,” says Alex, doing his best to sound chipper. “Bree’s here too.”
“Nana told me what’s going on,” says Ali. “Is there anything new? Any leads on Damon?” He sounds worried.
“Still gathering information,” says Alex. “We’ve been to Damon’s apartment. We’ve talked to Melissa. It doesn’t sound like anyone’s been threatening Damon. Nothing looks disturbed or out of place. The Chapel Hill police and the campus police have all the information. That’s as far as we’ve gotten.”
“What are the cops doing?” asks Ali.
“Not much,” Bree says, chiming in.
“They’re being cautious,” says Alex, “because there’s no solid sign that Damon’s in danger. I hate to say it, but right now they’re doing just the minimum.”
“We’re going to talk to some of Melissa and Damon’s friends later, see if anybody has any ideas on where he might have gone,” Bree adds.
“Where’s Nana Mama now?” Alex asks.
“She’s taking a nap,” says Ali. “Uncle John’s neighbor Mrs. Doolittle called and said she’s bringing Willow over in a half hour. There’s no school tomorrow because of the bombing. Lots of helicopters flying around, and soldiers out in the streets. It’s scary out there.”
“I’m sure it is,” says Bree. “You just stay close to home and listen to your nana, and don’t pick fights with Willow.”
“I want to come down there and help,” says Ali, his voice firm and determined.
“Ali,” Bree says. “You can’t just—”
