Cherry

Chapter 19

Cherry

Cora has run away from home a total of five times just in the past few years. The first few times that it occurred, Moms and I were worried sick. We didn't think we'd ever see her again. But, she eventually came home whenever she ran out of money and missed us. That's how we figured out she only runs away whenever she wants attention. Whether it be from a town search party or our moms looking in the streets to find her, she'll take anything she can get.

It's inconvenient that right when Cora runs away is whenever I don't have my car keys or cell phone on me, since I left them at the beach last night. I had planned to go to the beach to look for my belongings and Cora, but whenever Heaven's Diner comes into my focus, I decide to walk in and check there first. She's always loved the diner's food, so maybe she stopped in for a quick bite.

Whenever I open the door, I find a busy restaurant with no Cora. I don't have to do a deep analysis of each booth to try to find her; no one here has platinum blonde hair, so it's obvious she isn't here. Feeling defeated, I go to the bar and sit down on a barstool, finding Sylas walking out of the kitchen.

"Howdy Cherry," Sylas greets me with a warm smile on his face. "What are ya doin' here today? You're not on the schedule to work."

"I know. I was just checking to see if you've seen Cora come in," I sigh.

Sylas looks at me with concern and asks, "Did she run away again?"

"Yeah," I dryly answer.

Sylas shakes his head sideways, "Jesus."

"Cora ran away?" I hear Ethan say from behind me. He walks into the bar and stands beside Sylas and in front of me. His white apron is tied around his torso, and his red t-shirt is fitted perfectly on him.

"Yeah. She found out about Momma's diagnosis this morning and got so mad that she ran off. I left my keys and phone at the beach last night, so I can't contact her or anything. I decided to check here first."

A smile appears on Sylas' face. "So it's true? Y'all were skinny dippin' last night? That's why you ain't got none of your stuff?"

I blush and turn to Ethan, only to find he has an embarrassed look on his face too. "Oh my God, did you tell him about that?" I ask Ethan.

"What?" Ethan laughs. "Hell no."

I look back at Sylas with a smile and ask, "How do you know about that, then?"

He lets out a deep chuckle and says, "Cherry, this town is small. Officer Jones came in right when we opened this mornin' and was talkin' to me about y'all."

I become nauseous as I ask, "Oh my God, is he looking for us?"

"Well, he thinks it was you he was chasin' last night, 'cause no one in town has hair like yours. He told me can't prove it was you, though."

I laugh from nervousness and lean forward against the bar's counter. "Great. So I have a warrant out for my arrest and my little sister is missing."

Ethan begins to untie his apron as he says, "Come on. I'll help you find her."

I shake my head sideways and say, "No. You can't keep trying to get involved with my family's messes. Plus, you're working-"

"Ethan, you can leave. Donna is here today to help. We'll be fine," Sylas places his hand on Ethan's shoulder. "You'll still get paid when yous gone."

"Sylas, stop," I tell him. "I'm not going to interrupt his work just so he can help me. Cora will come back on her own eventually."

"Oh, Cherry. Jus' let him help you. Bring Cora back to us," he pats Ethan's back and walks back to the kitchen.