I'm a Believer

five.

Tonight was date night, and Marshall was going to surprise me. He told me not to dress fancy. Sweatpants and a lousy t shirt it is.

"Addison, are you ready?" I nodded and he took my hand. K closed my eyes he led me to the living room, where 8 Mile was getting ready to play.

"Conceited swine," I mumbled. His eyes shot to me.

"Excuse me? Did you just call me a swine?" he acted all innocent.

"Conceited swine, actually," I fired back.

"You see, stuff like that doesn't just fly by in this house. You are gonna have to pay a price," he smirked.

"And what would that price be?"

"Let me eat three snacks in the bed." He spills them everywhere.

"Fine, but only three.

"Yay!"

"Okay, this was supposed to be date night, but now we're just making negotiations that really are to your advantage. Let's watch a movie!" I yelled while grabbing a bowl of popcorn Marshall had made. We sat down on his huge sectional and watched the movie.

It was getting late, and I was drifting off into sleep. I felt Marshall wrap his arms around me.

––

I woke up the next morning to no Marshall. I walked around the entire mansion, which took about an hour and a half to do, not including the outside. It was freezing cold out there so I figured he wasn't out there.

I called his cell and left a message:

"Hey Marshall, it's Addison. I was wondering where you were. I didn't see a note, so I'm thinking you just like went to the store or something. Probably Meijer's. Or you went across the street to Walmart to get some sponges. Ah, God, I'm sorry. That whole live stream was just so great. Royce was hilarious, I won't lie. Oh, speaking of Royce, you better let me meet him, Marshall. I'm drop dead serious. Anyway, I, uh, I will see you later. Bye baby."

I hung up expecting a call back, but hours had passed and there was no sign of him. I had his daughters' numbers, so I tried to call them. Whitney was with Kim. I believe she's staying at her house this month. Alaina was on vacation with her boyfriend. I called Hailie. She was all grown up and out of the house.

"Hey Hailie! Um, has your dad called you or anything? I can't find him."

"Oh? No, he hasn't. That's pretty unusual. No worries, he's probably just at the studio," she said reassuringly.

"Oh thank god. Thanks Hailie." I hung up and drove to the studio.

When I got there, there was no Marshall.

"Hey, Dre, has Em been by?" Dre had a really confused look on his face.

"No, he hasn't. Has he been home?"

"No. I called Hailie and she had no idea."

"I'm sure he'll be back. Don't worry," he said. I said thanks and we said our goodbyes. I headed back to the house.

I left yet another voicemail:

"Hey Marshall. It's me again. Dre hasn't seen you, and you haven't called Hailie. I don't know where you are but I'm starting to worry. Like a lot. Please call me back. See you later, right?"

I hung up and went into the house, alone.