Family Ties [Sequel to She Belongs To Me]

Leverage

Emily:

I was sitting in the living room with James and Cora watching The Little Mermaid when my cell phone rang.  I dug it out of my pocket and glanced at it curiously when I saw the phone number calling.  It was Hope's father. I excused myself to the kitchen and answered.

"Hello."

"Hello, Emily.  I'm sorry to bother you but-"

"It's no bother, Mr. King.  What can I do for you?"

"Have you talked to Hope today?"

"I talked to her this morning."  I answered, "Is something wrong?"

"I'm not really sure.  Hope was supposed to come have dinner with Mrs. King and I this evening but she never showed up.  We were wondering if she might be with you."

"No, I'm sorry.  She isn't here."

My stomach clenched into a painful knot.  I knew that I should have made her stay with us.  Ever since she left I've been worried sick about her and now her father had no clue where she was. We hung up with each other and I dialed Hope's number. There was no answer. 

I walked back into the living room on shaky legs and James noticed the distressed look on my face right away.  "Everything okay?"

Cora looked away from the movie and pouted.  "Why do you look so sad, mommy?"

"I'm alright." I said, "I just need to talk to daddy in the kitchen for a minute."

"Awww, but I want him to see the part where the mean old chef is chasing the funny little crab."

"You can rewind it when I get back, baby." James said before following me into the kitchen.  He put his hands on my shoulders.  "What's the matter?"

"Hope is missing."

"What are you talking about?"

"Her dad just called me and said that she was supposed to have dinner with them, but never showed up. I tried to call her cell and she didn't answer." 

"Sweetie, that doesn't mean she's missing."  James insisted, "Didn't you say she was going shopping with a new girlfriend?"

"Yeah, one she just met yesterday."  I covered my face with my hands as my imagination began to run wild.  "What if he got to her, James? He knows where she lives. God, I should have never let her-"

"Calm down, Emily."  He interrupted, "Your nerves are getting the best of you. I promise you that she is just fine."

My face starting burning. I was infuriated that he could be so calm about this. "James, our best friend in the world is missing and all you can say to me is calm down!?"

"I didn't mean it in a bad way.  I just don't want you to panic when there is probably a logical explanation. Why don't you try and call her again."

"Fine." I grunted, redialing her number in my cell phone. It rang a few times before it was answered by silence on the other end. "Hope, are you there?"

No one answered but I could hear something faint on the other end. Breathing.

"Hope? Can you hear me?"