Missing

Happy? Birthday!!

Jennifer walked in the door with a huge bouquet of brightly colored balloons. I laughed and raised my eyebrow watching her struggle. She'd been so happy and excited about today. It was the one bright spot in all of this bullshit and chaos surrounding Sierra.

"What?? Too much??"

I laughed and shook my head picking her lips

"No, I think she'll like it"

She set the weight down on the table next to the presents and cake. Noah walked in silently and stood staring at the table. He'd been unusually quiet and in a bit of a mood since everything happened 4 days ago. It really shook him up and it was concerning. He wouldn't talk to anyone about anything. I all but gave up because he'd just yell. None of the behavior was like him at all and I knew he knew more than he was saying. He acted especially on edge around Jon and it was bothering me.

"Noah?"

"NO, I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!!! LEAVE ME ALONE!!"

I sighed and followed him down the hall and found him sitting on the edge of Mary's bed. I stood in front of him and then pulled up her desk chair and sat down. I knew that they got along pretty well. He had the most fun with her anyway.

"Noah...I know this is really bothering you. I'm sorry you were the one that had to be there. I'm sorry you were the one who found her, but I know you know something. I'm sorry for what I said in the ER that night. I promise you won't be in trouble. Please talk to me. I want to help you. You're not acting like yourself at all."

"I....can't" he whispered quietly

"Why not? You know you can tell me anything. You know that."

"Not this time" he muttered

"Noah you know I'm meeting with the police to watch the security video this afternoon. Either you can tell me what you know or I can form my own opinion from the tape. But I'd really rather hear it from you. I really just want you to talk to me. Even just a little something. You don't have anything to be afraid of."

"Dad? Ash and I are ready to go."

I looked up at JJ and half smiled and nodded. Noah looked back and their eyes met. Jon could've bore a hole straight through him. My heart sank at the realization that he was the reason Noah was keeping quiet.

"I'll be there in a minute son. Go ahead and head on to the hospital and wait for us in the lobby."

I looked back at Noah and he put his head down. It was becoming crystal clear that JJ had threatened him somehow I just couldn't get it out of him

"It's not a good idea" he mumbled barely above a whisper

"What's not?"

"Ashley"

I watched him closely searching his face. He could't even look at me and I knew. I didn't want to believe it, but I knew it had to be true. This was the most stubborn and talkative kid I'd ever been around until the day this happened.

"Jon? Is everything OK?" Jenn smiled

"Yeah. We were just about to go."

He hopped off of the bed and walked slowly into the kitchen and grabbed the cake box. Jennifer and I carried everything else and loaded it into the Explorer. I loved to see how happy and excited Jenn was to do this and I knew Mary would love it too. But there was this awful feeling after talking to Noah that Ashley was to blame for this somehow.

"Jennifer, did you invite Ahsley?"

"Yes. She was so excited. She loves Sierra and couldn't wait to help plan this."