A parent's grief

“Sarah? What has gotten over you? Why did you just walk away like that?” James yelled.

“Are you like this because of that so-called detective?” Sarah scoffed.

“She could have helped us but you just walked away like that.’

“Do you also believe her? Do you believe everything they said? What has come over you too?” Sarah yelled.

“Will you be the one to look for her? You can’t just sit there and believe she would come back home on her own. Has she ever gone this far before? Think about that.” He shot at her.

“I can’t believe you James.” Sarah nodded sideways.

“That is just the truth. Accept it! Why then would Dylan be in the station right now huh? Just think about that even if it’s once.” James said and walked to the room.

Sarah fell on her knees and broke down instantly.

*

James paced around the living room, talking to one person after the next on his phone. Sarah had never seen him so worried.

Now, Sarah understood that everything that was happening was actually true. She took her phone and dialed Caitlin’s number, to know if she was aware of the news but it kept telling her that the number she dialed could not be reached.

After a while, she decided to dial the detective’s number. She looked at the time and saw that it was 11 p.m. and was unsure if she would have been asleep by that time. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tapped on her name.

She held the phone to her ear as it rang, her heart pounding, a part of her hoping she wouldn’t answer.

Finally, a sound came at the other end of the phone.

“Jody speaking please,”

“Hey Jody, I’m… it’s Sarah_ Jane’s mom.”

“Oh! Mrs. Hemsworth? Is anything the problem?”

After a long pause, she finally responded.

“I’m sorry,” she apologized, “for storming out like that. You were trying to help me, I know that. But when you talked about not finding a body at the scene, I… I couldn’t hear it.”

There was a long silence at the other end.

“Are you still there?” Sarah asked.

“Oh yes! Sorry about that. I understand how you’re feeling Mrs. Hemsworth. I know it isn’t easy for you.”

“Of course, it isn’t,” came Sarah’s immediate reply.

“And I need you to help me. Please, help find Jane. I just need you to bring her back, please,” Sarah pleaded sadly.

“I will try my best.” Jody assured.

“Thank you!” Sarah said before hanging up.

She glanced towards James and saw that he was still busy making calls. She shook her head dejectedly and headed to the room.