A World of Colors

Chapter 16

We make our purchases after we have found our matching shoes and run out to the car. We make it to our mani-pedi appointment just in time.

I was loving the back massaging chair and the foot bath. My nails were a deep, navy blue to accent my dress. It was nice to get to spend some time with some other girls and make new friends. Today had been my favorite day away from my old home so far.

I had completely forgotten about mom's sudden departure until my phone vibrated in my pocket. I look down and take it out, realizing dad is calling me. I pick it up and put a finger to my lips to shush the girls.

"Hello? Dad?"

"Oh thank goodness Crystal. I have some news on your mother." My heart leaps in my chest and my lips curl.

"Anything good?" I try to keep my anger out of my voice. No such luck.

"There was a problem with their boat." I slightly smile in spite of myself.

"Ok, well where is she now? Are they still docked in the port?"

There is a long pause, and I hear his voice catch on the other end of the receiver.

"The problem was at sea. They found the boat a few hours ago, and nobody was aboard it. The life rafts were gone." I gasp.

"Where is she? Have they brought the rafts in?" There were a million other things I wanted to ask- who was lost, what caused them to jump ship.

"They are having difficulties finding them. The rafts have trackers implanted in them, but it looks as if I was damaged."

"Do we know why they evacuated?" There had to be some stupid reason. Mom comes up with a lot of those.

"There was a fishing net in the rudder. It looked like a piece of waste dropped my some fishing boat somewhere." Pollution had caused my mom to jump ship and land her in the middle of nowhere. I wanted to cry.

"Why didn't they just call us? Or the coast guard?" It would have been much easier, in my opinion.

"The guard checked, and it looks like the phone lines went dead. There was a humongous storm."

"They'll find her, right?"

I hear his hesitation.

"Of course. I love you. Don't let this ruin your night."

As I consider the situation, I remember the dream from so long ago. I was on the luxury cruise boat. I had really felt like I was drowning.

Was mom already dead?

Even when he hung up, I couldn't help but think about mom. Sure she and I didn't have the best relationship, but I wouldn't wish anything bad over her for it.

As I turn back to the girls, they all have stone looks engraved on their faces. I have a feeling that the entire school will know about this by the end of the weekend.