The phone rang in the wee hours of the morning, Lindsey answering to keep from waking Leelee. "Hello?" He rubbed his eyes as he sat up
"Lindsey...Stevie's gone." It was Karen.
"What do you mean gone? How is she gone?"
"She didn't show up to the rehab facility this morning. I went to go check on her and her things are gone."
Lindsey sat up, turning on the bedside lamp. "Have you checked hospitals, airports...police stations? She can't just go missing."
"I'm doing my best to locate her. If she comes to you, keep her there. I will come get her."
"No need. I will start checking around as well. Thank you for letting me know." Lindsey hung up before Karen could respond, his mind reeling. Where could she have gone?
Leelee opened the door to her father's room, "Dad, who were you on the phone with?"
"It was Karen...Lee, try not to get too upset but your mother is missing...."
"Missing?! How can you expect me to not freak out?!"
"It could be nothing," he said. "Your mother has connections and she probably arranged to--"
"What if she's changed her mind? What if she doesn't want to get clean? What if something happened to her? She could be hurt or...or worse!" Leelee bit her lip, thinking. Tears welled up in her eyes. She was angry at her mother but she didn't wish her any harm. She was worried.
"Come here," Lindsey opened his arms and stood, Leelee holding him tightly.
"I'm scared..."
"I know, but your mother is alright. I can feel it...sometimes she just likes to think about things too much. She'll come to her senses."
"What makes you so sure?"
"You. She wouldn't betray you again."
Leelee nodded. "I hope you're right."
"Why don't we do something to distract ourselves?"
"Like what?" She asked, looking at her father as she wiped away brimming tears.
"Your choice. You deserve it." he said, trying to get a smile out of her.
"Let's cook breakfast."
"We can do that. Im surprised you're up at six in the morning."
"I heard you on the on the phone and I wanted to make sure that you were okay."
"You're sweet."
"Plus, it gives me practice for when the baby comes. Late night and early morning feedings."
He hugged her into his side and kissed her temple. "I'm proud of you."
"Don't get mushy, dad. Less talk, more eating." Leelee joked and Lindsey chuckled.
"Alright, you're the boss." He followed his daughter into the kitchen and got out ingredients form the fridge. He wanted so badly to make her happy.
When they were in the kitchen Leelee pulled out the ingredients for pancakes with bacon, "Lee, come here," Lindsey called her to him
She placed the bananas on the counter and walked over to her father, "Yeah?"
"Let me see your arms," he held his hands out for them
"No..."
"Please? I just want to make sure that you are alright."
"I'm fine," she said. "You don't have to worry about me."
"I will always worry about you. I'm your father." He sighed. "Please?"
Leelee pulled up her long sleeves and showed her father her arms. Lindsey studied them with stormy eyes and she watched his features, anticipating his response.
"Have I done anything to upset you? Is that part of the reason you do this."
