Starsky and Hutch: Too Close To Home

Angel's Old Room

I got into my in-laws car after I gave my dad the keys to my car for him to drive it to their place. Mom got into the car as she started to drive us both back to their home. I looked out the window, just lost in my thoughts. What if they hurt her? What plans do they have for her? Will we find her in time? What if.......I have to stop this or I'll go crazy. I just want her back with me safe and sound. I wiped a tear from my face when I felt a hand lay on top of mine. I jumped before I looked over at my mom. She smiled at me as she said, "It will all be, don't let the what if's hang you up okay?" I nodded as I tried to smile at her, now I know where Angel got that saying. She is just like her mom in so many ways. She then got out of the car when I noticed for the first time that we were at their house. I opened the door as my mom held it open for me. I got out of the car and almost fell over from how weak I felt. Mom came around the door, she grabbed me as I leaned on her. "Take it slow, sweetie," she told me as she helped into the house. She then got me to the couch as Max came out of the kitchen.

Jennifer watched as David sat on the couch, he looked so tired and sick. He is so worried and I know what he is feeling. All of this reminds me of when Angel was 16, all the thoughts and the worries that we all had for her. What were they doing to her? Will she make it out alive? Would we see her again? All the thoughts I know that we have to help David not go down. The last thing he needs to do is all the 'what if's' of this whole situation. That will keep him bound up so much and it just might send him over the edge. Max walked into the living room as I took off my jacket. "Max, David will be staying with us for some time." she told Max as he nodded. "Shall I get a room ready for him?" he asked. "No, that won't be necessary." she said with a smile. "Yes, Mrs. H" he replied as Jonathon walked into the door. He walked over to us as he looked at David. I could see the sadness in his eyes before she said, "How about you call Bri and let her know where we are while I take David upstairs?" she whispered to him. He nodded as she let go of him to walk over to her son.

David just sat on the couch looking at the photo that I took of Angel on our honeymoon in Ireland. She is really an angel for real. She didn't think I was taking photos when I told her to turn around to look at me. Her hair, her smile and everything is perfect about her. Oh, baby I miss and love you. Please come back soon, I thought. I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard mom's voice. I looked up to see her standing to me. "I'm sorry mom, did you say something?" I asked her. She smiled at me before she spoke, "Would you like something to eat or drink?" I shook my head no as I looked back down at the photo. "No, thank you mom. I couldn't eat knowing my girl is not with me." "That is understandable son." she spoke. "David," she said. I looked back up at her to see her holding out her hand. "I would like to show you something." she spoke softly. I put my wallet back in my pocket as I took my mom's hand.

I was led upstairs and to a closed door. Mom stopped for a moment, looked at me and then said, "This is Angel's old bedroom." My heart sank when I heard her name and mom squeezed my hand knowing this is going to be hard. Mom then opened the door to her room, I held mom's hand tightly as we walked through the door. We both just stood there lost in our own thoughts before mom let go of my hand to walk over to the bed. She picked up a blanket, then walked over back to me. She looked at the blanket, then at me as she spoke, "This is Angel's old blanket. She had it since she was a kid and went to so many different places. As she got older she would cuddle with it when she got scared, wasn't feeling well or anytime she needed it. When she was packing her things to move in with you after you both got married I asked her if she wanted to take it. She told me no, folded it up and laid it on the bed. Do you want to know why she said no?" I nodded my head, not being able to talk at the moment. Just being in her old room and hearing mom talk about her makes me want to cry all the more. Mom looked at me with tears in her eyes as she spoke, "She told me that you are her blanket now."