Safety Net

12

December 24th 2017; Christmas Eve.

Alex sat on the couch, looking at his pathetic excuse of a tree. He held the gift he had bought for Jo a while back as his mind traveled back to the same question he had been thinking since the day she left: how did this happen?

He unwrapped the gift, pulling out the black velvet box. He opened the box, taking out the ring. "Damnit..." He murmured, disappointed. He couldn't be angry anymore, because the only person to be angry at was himself, and he knew he couldn't do that all day. He held the ring in his hand as his eyes welled up with tears "I miss you..." he cried softly. He didn't know how or if he would get over her. That woman turned his world. She made him happier than anything the world had to offer. He couldn't help but think about the day he met her— the day he fell in love. The moment he laid eyes on the wonderful, enticing, sexy, beautiful, Jo Wilson, he knew that would be the woman to carry his children. If only he hadn't screwed up tremendously.

He looked around at the barely working Christmas lights Jo had bought years prior to this event. He chuckled, wiping his tears away as he thought about the day they were purchased:

"No, Alex. We need something christmas-y. And, we are not getting star trek themed things." Jo said as she grabbed Alex's hand, skipping down the brightly lit aisle. "How about these?" She asked, holding out a box of cheap lights. He nodded, chuckling. "What are you laughing at?" Her smile was infectious. It was impossible not to smile back at her.

Alex blinked, causing a few tears to fall. He looked at the small kitchen. He chuckled, thinking about the baking fails their family would share.

He took a slow gaze around the room before pulling his phone out, calling 911, and saying the words he should've much sooner.

"Hello. I'd like to report a missing person."