Vanished (Private 12)

“She had an affair. With her boss,” he said, nodding. “Right after it happened she came back to me, so upset. She told me everything and said she realized she wanted me. She was just hoping I’d take her back after what she’d done.”

“What did you say?” I asked.

“I told her I’d take her back no matter what. I’d just been waiting there for her,” he said with a small smile. “Your mom’s the one, bud. She just is.”

I instantly thought of Josh and felt an ache that almost leveled me.

“We decided to move back here and it wasn’t until three months later we realized she was pregnant,” he said. “We both knew there was no way it … no way you could be mine, but I didn’t care. I loved you from the second I felt you kick inside her belly.”

I laughed and a new wave of tears rolled down my face. My dad turned slightly and hugged me again.

“You’re mine, Reed. No matter what,” he said. “You’re my girl. You know that, right?”

“I know,” I said, my words muffled by my tears.

We stayed out there for a while until my breathing returned to normal. Until I could think again. Until I felt like I’d cried every damn tear I’d ever have.

“Mrs. Lange wants to see you in the morning,” my father said finally.

“Yeah? Why? Is she gonna give me my inheritance early?” I joked.

“You wish,” he said, giving me a squeeze. “Nah. I think she just wants to know you. And who could blame her?”

I smirked. “Yeah. I’m a real catch. It’s, like, one o’clock and I’m still in my pj’s with snot and tears all over me.”

“Good enough for a hockey game,” my dad said.

“We’re still going?” I asked, brightening.

“Of course we’re still going,” he said. “You can’t promise your brother an Igloo hot dog and t

hen take that away. He’ll kill us both on the spot.”

“Good point,” I said. I looked over my shoulder at the house where I knew my mother was waiting to talk to me. Waiting for some big, emotional encounter. I dreaded it with every fiber of my being. “Can we just hang out here a while longer?”

“We can,” my dad said. “But sooner or later you’re going to have to go inside. You know that, right?”

“I know,” I said, leaning my head on his shoulder. “Just not yet.”

I guess the Croton Comfort Suites hotel wasn’t good enough for Lenora Lange, because Thursday morning my mom had to drive me all the way to Pittsburgh and the luxury hotel room the old lady had booked for herself and Noelle. Scratch that. It couldn’t be called a hotel room. It was, in fact, a presidential suite on the top floor of a luxury hotel, the square footage of which, my mom couldn’t help noting with awe, was larger than the square footage of our entire house.

“Welcome to my world, Mom,” I said as we waited for Mrs. Lange in the opulent parlor area, complete with crystal chandelier, brocade couches, and a continental breakfast spread fit for a queen.

My mother gave me a wan smile. Our relationship over the past twenty-four hours had devolved into a kind of polite silence. We’d barely spoken on the two-hour drive to Pittsburgh, other than to comment on the weather and talk about the game last night. Just as we’d pulled up to the valet at the hotel, my mom finally asked me the one question that had probably been on her mind for two days straight. Was I, or was I not, going back to Easton?

I told her I still didn’t know.

“Good morning, ladies,” Mrs. Lange said, stepping into the room with Noelle on her heels. She wore a chic black dress with a boat neck and straight skirt, a double strand of pearls decorating her collarbones. Noelle was far more casual in slim jeans and a cowl–neck cashmere sweater. They both stood before us, much like they had the day before at my house. Only they were farther away this time, what with all the space.

“I trust your drive was pleasant,” Lenora said.

“It was fine, thanks,” my mom replied.

“Good,” Lenora said. “So, Mrs. Brennan, if you don’t mind, we’d like to speak to Reed alone. Just for a few minutes.”

My mother’s face turned red, but she didn’t respond. She simply looked at me.

“It’s okay, Mom. I’ll be fine,” I said.