Tantrum

Ch. 8 Occupied

*** Spencer's POV ***

I spent an hour driving around to different places where Tim might have been. I needed to head back because Maureen was going to pick Mason up from school. Maureen had texted to say Heath couldn't be by until nearly six. I'd have two hours alone with Gwen.

I came back empty-handed and frustrated by it. Where the hell had Tim gone? I was walking into the house when my phone buzzed.

Mandy: Looking forward to seeing you tonight! Where are we headed?

Fuuuuuck. I shove my phone back into my pocket. Heath was coming by six. I could still get home, catch a shower, and meet Mandy for dinner. But where? Despite how fantastic that night with Mandy was, it felt like it happened in another lifetime. I needed to reply to her but Maureen needed to get Mason before he hopped on the bus and headed into this chaos.

"Well don't you feel at home?" Gwen snapped at me.

I should have knocked but I'm in a shit mood too. "I see the booze is wearing off although you weren't all that nice under the influence either."

She glares at me as Maureen comes from down the hall with a small suitcase. "I have Mason packed up for a few days in the event..."

"He'll come home." Both Gwen and I say at the exact same time. We look at each other for a moment before averting our eyes.

"I know, but just in case there's fallout." Maureen seems to be sending me an implied message. She wants me to solve Gwen's problem but truth be told, Gwen needs to want to solve her problem.

"You can go too." Gwen gestures to me.

"Nah, I think I'll stay." I respond.

"You're not welcome." She snaps.

"Well you have a missing child. It's a CPS issue. So I'm going to stay." I plop down on the couch.

Gwen is about to unload on me, I can feel it. Maureen interjects. "Gwennie, remember the goal. Your promise."

Gwen lets out a strangled growl and then huffs. "Have Mason call me. I need to know one of them is alright at least."

Maureen kisses her forehead, gives her cheek a pat, and turns to head out. She mouths to me. "Good luck."

We sit in uncomfortable silence for a good ten minutes before she asks about my search. "Did you talk to his friends?"

I nod. "Nothing." She hangs her head. She looks like she could really use something to calm her nerves. "Why don't you go lay down or take a bath or something? I'm here."

She considers it and then snarls. "You won't chase him away again if he returns, will you?"

"Funny that you think he ran because of what I said." I snap.

"God! How did I ever like you?" She grumbles and leaves the room.

I hear water running not five minutes later. Sounds like she's taking my advice. I pull out my phone to check in with my police contacts, but Mandy's unanswered text stares me in the face.

Spencer: Something blew up at work. I might need to reschedule.

I type it out, but don't send it. I'm a coward and I'm still holding out hope that I can escape here at a decent time and maybe call her. I sit, agonizing for awhile. After thirty minutes, I decide to run out to my car to grab my laptop, but realize I need the wifi password.