6
LEO
Ihaven’t heard from Jillie. I’m worried. I try to call but get her voicemail which is now full. Texts go unanswered. Emails are unread.
I walk over to Audrey and Isla where they sit at their usual picnic table under a tree for lunch.
“Hey. Any of you talk to Jillie?” I ask.
“No,” Audrey and Isla answer at the same time.
“Fuck.”
“That can’t be good,” Carlos says.
Elan comes over. “You hear from Jillie?”
Now my guts are churning. “No. That’s what I was just asking. It’s been four days.”
“Five for me,” he replies.
“I contacted her Aunt Ruthie,” Isla informs me. “She said Jillie isn’t talking to anyone. Only the words required for politeness.”
“I’m worried. I can’t go early—tomorrow. I’ve got the game. Maybe you can all head out there sooner?”
Audrey shakes her head. “Aunt Ruthie advised against it.”
“We’ll just all catch latest flight Friday night, crash at the hotel, and be there an hour or two before the funeral,” Isla says.
“I guess that’s all we can do. I wish she’d talk to me.”
“Same,” they all reply.
“We’ll help her get through this, Becks,” Elan tells me. I want to hate the guy, but I can’t. He’s got Jillie’s best interests at heart.
“If she ever picks up the phone,” I answer.
Audrey leans forward. “Her Aunt Ruthie did tell me Jillie’s writing the eulogy.”
“She’s going to need us more than ever,” Isla points out.
“Definitely. We’ll head out right after the game,” I remind them.
“We’re there.”
Everyone’s in agreement.
I don’t know why, but I have an almost desperate need to get to Jillie. I need to know she’s okay.
