Ethan
I haven't slept much since it was confirmed that Jess was missing, and no one knew if or when she was coming home. As hard as it was, I stopped checking in with the cops everyday and trying to call my wife's phone. Gray finally convinced me. I've spent nights alone in my room, staring out the window, crying so much that I thought I'd die from dehydration. Other nights, I'd just stare at the ceiling, not blinking, and not able to cry even a single tear.
Some nights, the kids join me in the bedroom to watch a movie since Jess and I have the biggest tv in the house, and they've been obsessed with the movie, Trolls, that recently came out. I've had to watch it countless times, but it didn't matter, because there were all I had of Jess right now. I cherished every second with them.
Grayson came and went as he pleased, but we'd all have dinner together in the evening, which was nice. He cooks a lot better than I can. I think, over these past couple of weeks, he's seen me cry and scream more than he ever has in our entire lives. He took it as it came to him, and I was eternally grateful for him and his support.
Tonight, the kids and I are watching the movie, Open Season, on tv in my room, and they're slowly starting to fall asleep. By the time the movie's over, Teagan is in between Ryan and I, and Ryan is hugging Jess' pillow with what looks to be a death grip. Katherine is curled up on my side, her head resting on my stomach as she softly snores. They're all deep asleep, and I'm not sure if I want to wake them. I can sleep here like this, right?
Wrong. When I woke up in the morning, my back was screaming. The kids' sleeping positions hadn't changed much, but Katherine was now drooling on my shoulder and leaving a spot on my yellow t-shirt. I sighed, realizing that it's Thursday morning, and I need to get them to school. Carefully, I grabbed my phone from the bedside table, and I saw the time. I had thirty minutes to get them ready and into school.
"Hey." One at a time, I shook the three kids awake. Slowly, three pairs of eyes fluttered open, faces puffy from a deep sleep.
"It's time to get up and get ready for school, guys. Let's go." I coax them up and out of my bed. I was so ready to lay back down and, hopefully, get some sleep when I got back home. Lucky for me, I was off today. Katherine begins to whine, balling her hands into fists and shoving them into her eyes. The boys take a few minutes, but eventually, the get out of bed and head to their room. Katherine is definitely like her mother.
"Honey, it's time to get up, come on." I cover her back with my hand, feeling her muscles stretch.
"No, Daddy, no."
"Yes, Kat, yes." I mock, pulling her against my chest while I get myself out of bed. I set her on her feet on the floor, and she watches me stretch. God, my back hurts this morning, and so does my shoulder. I need my pills.
"Go into your room, and if you need help dressing, just call me." I nudge her out of the room and watch her stagger down the hallway to her bedroom. I go into the bathroom to pee, brush my teeth, and take my pain pills. Quickly, I change my shirt and shorts, run a hand through my hair, and leave my bedroom. I take a look behind my shoulder at my wife's side of the bed before shutting the door.
"We've located her vehicle."
"Really? Where?" I try to keep from sounding too eager, but I can't help myself. This is the first call I've gotten from them in weeks. I bite the nail of my right thumb, tapping my foot on the floor eagerly.
"By the pier downtown. Her belongings are in it, such as a purse, tampons, money, there looked to be some crayons and coloring books as well..." I didn't hear the rest of what the officer had to say. Not really. I was too shocked that they actually found Jess' car, and all of her stuff was in it. She must've been going for her daily jog after work and....God....fuck.
"So it's for certain that she was abducted?" I ask.
"Not totally, sir. We have reason to believe, yes, but we aren't completely sure."
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
