People are drawn together in the strangest ways but sometimes we have to look deeper into what is below the surface because things are not always what they seem. When a girl goes missing unexpectedly, it is the determination of those closest to her...
Georgia wrung her hands, even in the cold she could feel slick sweat coat her palms. She stared at the door. On the drive over, the edges of her mind snuck in, challenging a good idea until it seemed brash and infantile. What did you plan to accomplish?
Georgia knew the answer to her own question. What was going on between Anders and Cassie? What had he done? Had it made her run away?
Georgia shook her head, no, Cassie would not have run. She faced her challenges head on - that was the main thing she admired that about her daughter.
Georgia rose her hand, it hung suspended in the air tense at the implication of what each knock would bring her closer to. Was she ready to know this truth? The notion paralyzed her, as Georgia's limbs seemed unwilling to follow through with command her brain was screaming at them to obey.
Georgia felt as though the blood in her body was rushing to her feet. The space between her ears swam and her vision became blotchy - black spots making the ruby red door a checkers board.
Bloody hell, Georgia's hand steadied her against the door as she did her best to stand up. She took slow even breaths, waiting for her vision to return to normal and praying she would not throw up in the foliage outside Cassie's place.
As she second-guessed her motives, the door swung open.
"Georgia?"
She felt ever the more guilty as she looked at the hollowed out man before her. He seemed small before her, had Georgia not known him for the last four years, she would never have recognized him for the man who chased the police officer to the elevator less than a month ago.
"Sorry I should have called," Georgia felt her cheeks flush, she turned to leave. Anders appearance shocked her, his cheekbones seemed higher, his skin stretched tight. Dark circles etched the skin under his eyes and dipped into his sockets.
"No. It's okay." Anders grabbed her wrist, stopping her from leaving. His grip was lax, fingers resting on her arm.
"I'm sorry that I forgot my manners. It's just Cassie," Georgia choked on her daughter's name. Saying it constricted her esophagus, burned her eyes.
Anders wrapped his arms around her shoulders, easing her onto the bench on the porch.
"It's okay. No need to apologize. You are welcome here whenever you want, Georgia, you know that." Anders rubbed her back. A tear became visible in the corner of his eye.
Georgia let herself relax, the tension slacking out of her shoulders, "Thank you. That means a lot".
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"Andy? Oh, I was wondering where you went to," said a soft woman's voice.
The door opened, auburn locks caught the sun and light the air on fire. Until she turned her face to Georgia, she would have sworn it was her daughter, when it became clear the color was not natural like her daughters. It pulled the yellow undertones out of her skin. Georgia pictured her rather as a brunette.
Her cheeks felt flush again, matching the color of the woman's hair, and this time it was for a different reason and not her own embarrassment.
"Well, that answers that question. I'll be leaving now," said Georgia, as she rose, shaking Anders hand from her back.
"Georgia?" Anders asked confused. His tone almost seemed genuine.
"How long has Cassie been missing? Did you even wait? No - I think not!" said Georgia incensed.
"It's not like that. Vic is a co-worker. She came by to check on me and help." Anders became defensive, frustrated by the accusation.
"I'll go back inside," said Vic and disappeared back through the front door from which she came.
"This is my daughters home!" Georgia shouted as the door slammed firmly shut and the woman smiled at her from behind the frosted glass, nosily ironing a man's shirt. It felt as though the act of domestically was for her benefit and Georgia wasn't amused.
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"Georgia, I get that you are hurting. So am I. I haven't been to work, I haven't been eating, the cops have gotten nowhere. I am worried sick but I will not apologize for something I haven't done. Now I'll let this slide and call you in the morning. We can talk about this with cooler heads." Anders' face emoted hurt and rage but he kept his tone level.
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Georgia walked out the front door and the wind caught it and slammed it shut. Someone that felt very satisfying as it matched her mood. There was something about this that made her feel uneasy.
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What else was he hiding? She intended to find out.
