“’Kay.”
Chris headed for the elevator, out the front doors, then to the grassy knoll. The pup nosed around the area. “Charlie, you’ll need to be on your best behavior. Erykah needs us. We gotta be there for her.”
The dog watered the leaves and looked at Chris as if sayingDuh. Chris cracked a smile.
He pulled out his cell and dialed Tuck.
“Hey, man, what’s going on?”
“Where do I start?” He blew out a breath. “My friend’s sister and brother-in-law were killed in a car accident. We’re flying into Lexington around five thirty your time. Is it possible you could give us a ride to the police station? At least, I’m assuming that’s the first place she needs to go.”
“Absolutely. How is she handling the news?”
“About as well as can be expected.”
“I’m really sorry, man. I’ll be praying. See you later.”
“Thanks, Tuck.” He pocketed his cell, then looked up into the sky, picturing the Lord watching over him and Erykah. He’d need the Lord’s guidance over the next few days, weeks even, if Chris had to guess.Please help her. Please guide us and see us safely to her nieces.
While Charlie continued to snoop around the bushes, Chris took a moment to let his own emotions out. By the time he composed himself, Charlie was ready to head back up.
Erykah had tears running down her face once more. He rushed to her. “What happened?”
“Detective Spence called. Cheyenne and Ash were at home with a babysitter.” She sniffed. “I know you said they weren’t in the car, but it was such a relief for him to confirm it.”
“Are they staying with the babysitter?”
She shook her head. “They’re calling in a social worker and bringing them to the station. I told him we’d be landing about five thirty. He said he’ll make sure social services knows that.”
“Did they find a will?” Chris asked.
“They won’t search their house for it. We’ll have to do that and file with the court and show any documents to CPS.”
He nodded. “Are you all packed?”
“Almost.”
“All right. Let me get Charlie ready, and we’ll be there for your nieces as soon as possible.”
“I can’t thank you enough.”
“Please, I wouldn’t be able to rest if I didn’t help you. It’s my honor.”
A tremulous smile covered her lips, but the sadness in her eyes nearly undid him. The quicker they could get to Kentucky, the better.
Eleven
My mind had now become a place of torment. Every single precious memory I had with Ellynn blazed like Technicolor and the best CGI framework. Along with each memory came the glaring gap of time that spanned between each visit with my baby sister. Why did she have to move to Kentucky? Why couldn’t I have seen her on a daily basis?
I’d been too focused on my job. What had started as a childhood dream to keep us from starving had turned into a path I never allowed myself to deviate from. Too much had ridden on my success. Becoming a doctor had meant a better life for myself as well as Ellynn. Sure, I’d become a doctor, had cared for my sister, but at what cost?
How could my sweet sister be dead? My poor, precious nieces. Once more, two sisters had been orphaned.
Not true. They have you.Youcare when no one else will.
I had to remind myself that my nieces wouldn’t suffer the same fate Ellynn and I had. Though we hadn’t been true orphans, our parents’ absence still remained a daily reality. They’d been too busy chasing the next high to care whether we were fed or clothed. I’d been the one to make breakfast for us, get us to the bus on time, and make sure we had food to eat come dinnertime.
When I’d graduated from high school, my parents had agreed to let Ellynn come live with me. She’d only been twelve, but I made sure I had a job to pay for an apartment for the both of us. We flourished away from our childhood home—a shack that should’ve been condemned years before.
