Missing

No Sitting On The Sidelines

"So she is stepping down for now," I say hopefully, but I should have known better.

"No, we both agree that we should not let them feel as if they are in control because it could cause the kidnapper to up the stakes. We do not want that."

"So you are going to let them torture her! I can't believe that our mother would not step down to protect her own daughter. Typical. Look, if that is all you need, I'll be going." I stand up ready to leave.

"You must understand we are doing our best to locate and safely return her home." I nod, then leave the station. I sit in my car and think to myself, reminiscing.

I remember when we were younger and our mother would drop us off at the playground with Mrs. Trizzle, our babysitter, while she was at work. We used to love going on the swings and the monkey bars. She was always scared of going alone on the monkey bars, so I would hold her feet and walk under her. We used to compete to see who could go higher on the swings and reach the clouds. Juliana is not much of a risk taker, when she was eight she tried going on one of the bars to try doing a flip. Her hands ended up slipping and she fell. The bar was high, so she landed wrong and sprained her wrist. My mother told me she was too young, and I should not have let her on it. From that day on we stayed home, and Juliana told me that she did not care about the park. I always felt it was my fault though. If I hadn't have let her try it, she would not have gotten hurt and could have still gone to the playground.

Maybe that is why I want to find her so badly, I feel like it's my fault. I couldn't protect her again. I can not lose her, she's my best friend, my only sister. They have to find her before it's too late. Why does my mother have to be stubborn and think more about what the public thinks than being with her own daughters and our safety. Don't get me wrong, I know she has to think about the entire state, but by not stepping down Juliana is in danger. In a burst of anger, I start my car and drive to my mother's office.

The governor's office is a big white building with tan columns in the front. I walk through the large wooden doors and into the entryway hall. I charge up the marble stairs and storm into my mother's office, ignoring the receptionist and not caring if she is in a meeting. "Hello Mother." Two men stand in her office now staring at me, my mother has a look of astonishment, but that only makes me feel better. "Sorry to interrupt but the Governor will get back to you." I hold the door open and motion for them to leave.

After closing the door on them, my mother stands up abruptly, "What was the meaning of that! I was in a meeting and you should know not to interrupt me when I am working."

"Mother, do you ever think of anything besides being the governor, like, oh I don't know, your own daughter! You do know that you could bring her back if you stepped down. What if you stepped down for a week or a month just to get her back?"

"It is not that simple, this person, whoever they are, wants me to give up my title. If I do that then, George Lance will become governor. That ignorant man cannot lead a town, let alone a state." She's agitated and ignoring my question. "The police told me not to give into the demands, so I am not. I want to, but I have to oblige. I know I have not been mother of the year, but that does not mean I love you two any less."

"Well you have sure done a great job to show it. Mom, you missed out on every important parts of our lives! Always busy with meetings, ceremonies, press conferences, you never had time for us. Then you portray our family as this white picket fence American Dream type, when we are anything but that. You campaign truth and then you lie." I can't stop, for years I have kept all this to myself. I'm not surprised that I exploded now, considering the situation.

"Do not speak to me that way. I am your mother, and yes my job keeps me busy, but when I can I do." If by come she means gets a phone call and has talks through the whole thing, then fine. "I do not lie sometimes I withhold the truth, but only if it's in the best interest of the people. I do not think the public needs to know about our family troubles, it is not their business. So yes, I portray that we have no problems even though I know we do." She sits back down in her chair covering her face with her hands.

I think over our conversation, "Mom, the only person to gain from you stepping down is George Lance, the police should check him and his lackeys." I say goodbye, then head back to the police station. I know I said that I wouldn't continue looking into this, but screw that. This is my little sister, and I want to see her alive again.