Bailey's Comet

Ch. 11 Miserable at Best

It's moving day! And Cheryl goes a bit off the deep end. 

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A/N: 

Whew! This chapter took an unexpected turn, but I needed some angst, and I'm not apologizing for it :P

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It's finally moving day, and Toni can't wait. Her and Sweet Pea have taken turns painting the rooms on their days off, and Cheryl and Britta even helped a few times. Toni doesn't think she'll ever get over the sight of seeing Anthony on Cheryl's shoulders, with a paintbrush in his hand, attempting to paint the top of the wall. And Britta was just as eager to help.

Unfortunately, their busy schedules meant that they hadn't gone on their date yet, and other than last night, Toni hadn't heard much out of Cheryl.

Last night, they had filled up the borrowed trailer with their belongings that Cheryl so generously let them keep in her shop. Cheryl was supposed to arrive at the new house at 9am sharp, and Toni promised breakfast and coffee. But it was now 9:26, and Cheryl wasn't there yet. Neither Toni or Sweet Pea had heard anything from her; or anyone for that matter. If something bad had happened, Jason, Betty, or even Britta would have contacted them.

Toni furrows her brows and tries to call the redhead one more time.

"Hey, this is Cheryl. I'm probably off in the barn. Leave a message, if you must."

Toni sighs and doesn't leave a message. She's left the other woman enough texts as it is. So she decides to head to the Blossom Ranch, thankful that Sweet Pea is more than willing to hang out with Anthony.

When Toni arrives, she's a bit furious. She hates when people don't stick to whatever plan they had; she blames Fangs for that one. It was one of his worst attributes. She would plan a dinner, set up a reservation at a restaurant, and he either wouldn't show, or he'd be an embarrassing amount of time late.

She's opening her car door before it's even in park. The truck and trailer are where they left them the night before, and Cheryl's car is also parked in its usual spot. Strange.

Toni's anger settles slightly, thinking that maybe Cheryl had a rough night and overslept, or maybe Britta had a rough night, and they were both exhausted. She sighs and walks up the stairs, pulling her light jacket tighter around her body. She knocks on the door and it's only a moment later when Britta comes running to it and opens it.

"Hey, Toni!" the little redhead greets. And then her brows furrow, and she tilts her head. "We were supposed to help you this morning." It's a statement, as if she's just now remembering.

"Yeah. Can I come in?" Toni asks. Britta nods and skips off to the living room. Toni shuts the door behind her and follows the girl. "Is Cheryl getting ready?"

Britta plops down on the couch and reaches for a bowl of cereal. She shrugs as she continues watching a cartoon on the tv. "She left last night. I haven't seen her this morning, and she's not in her room or the barn."

And that worries Toni.

"Is Jason here?" She asks this time.

Britta nods and says, "Out with the cows."

Toni excuses herself to the porch and tries to call Jason. He answers on the fourth ring. "Hey, Toni. Did you guys need extra help today?"

She clears her throat, "I- no, I think we're good. I'm actually on your porch, looking for Cheryl."

"She's not there?" He asks. "Or at your place?"

Toni shakes her head, and then realizes that the other person on the phone can't see her. "She's not, and Britta doesn't know where she is. Says that Cheryl left last night, and she wasn't there when Britta checked Cheryl's room or the barn." She walks down the steps and digs the toe of her shoe into the rocks, needing to do something to distract herself from whatever she's feeling.