“Are they usually home by a certain time?”
“Yes. Six. They always come home for dinner,” I said, pausing. “Something’s wrong. I can feel it. Something’s really wrong.”
“You’re doing the right thing by calling. Stay on the line with me, all right?”
“Yes. Okay.” My breath came out in short punches.
“Mommy.” Grace tugged at my arm. I didn’t look down.
“I’m just going to ask a few more questions,” the woman said. “So the responding officers have the information they need.”
I fought the tears, pressing a fist to my mouth to keep the sound inside.
“What were they wearing when they left?”
“Uh—uh—Kyle had on a gray t-shirt with a surf logo, and black shorts, and Jake—Jake had his blue band shirt… the one with the guitar on it… and jeans. I think. I think so.”
“Mommy.” Grace tugged at me again. “It’s the reindeer man.”
“Not now,” I said, distracted. “Scott?”
He stepped in and scooped her up without a word. As he carried her away, she twisted in his arms just long enough to catch my eye and said, “You let him in.”
I shook my head, dismissing the words. The hair on my arms rose anyway.
“Ma’am,” the dispatcher said. “Did you hear me?”
“Um…” I glanced back at Grace, now in Emma’s arms, tears streaking her cheeks. “Sorry. Can you repeat that?”
“Do either of your sons have any medical conditions we need to be aware of?”
“No. Nothing.”
“Any history of running away?”
“They wouldn’t do that. They’re good boys. They always come home.”
“Okay. You’re doing fine, ma’am. Officers should be arriving shortly.”
I braced myself against the counter. The floor below me felt unsteady.
“I’m scared,” I whispered.
The dispatcher’s voice softened, and I knew instantly she was a mother too. She knew this fear.
“I understand, ma’am. I’m right here with you.”
And then—
A scream tore through the night.
My blood turned to ice.
“Oh, my God,” I gasped. “There’s screaming. Someone’s screaming.”
“Ma’am, stay inside the house. Officers are almost there.”
“No—I—my son—” I didn’t even know what I was saying, only what I was hearing. Kyle. And maybe Jake behind him. “They’re screaming.”
