A Cold Winter: A College Life Story (Complete)

Chapter 9: Owen

Saturday, December 24th

It's been a little over a week since Sang left and we are no closer to finding her today, than we were last week. Dr. Roberts assures us that she is doing well with her new team, and that she is safe. We still haven't figured out how he's been in contact with her. There are no numbers that he takes calls from multiple times or for any unusual length of time. We should've know that trying to track her down by using him wouldn't work. Phil Roberts was one of the best back in his prime, and I suppose you can teach an old dog a few new tricks. He's able to keep them completely off the grid and still stay in contact with them. How?

I need to get her back to us. It's Christmas Eve and the boys are just staring at her presents piled up under the tree. We managed to go Christmas shopping weeks ago, just knowing that she would be here with us. Seeing how they are now, I know that I never want us to be like this again. Spending another holiday without her would crush them. Crush me.

My birthday was a few days ago, and for the first time in a long time, I actually wanted to spend it with someone. No, not someone. Her, always her. I wanted to take her with me to the lake my mother used to take me to. I wanted her to join me in the picnic that I usually have alone. I've never had anyone come with me, not even my brothers. Not even Sean. I wanted her there. Not because they wouldn't understand, but because she would just get it. She would know that I didn't want to talk about my feelings, or do something more productive, or find a better way to celebrate. She would just be there with me, enjoying the serene solitude as if it were her own idea. As if it were just another day.

We need to find a way to bring her back. I need her. We need her.