Gone (Ianthony)

Two Weeks, Four Days, and Twenty Three Hours Before

Anthony:    

I had a feeling I was getting close. Maybe it was just the flood of hope that resulted from the miracle that occured in Ian's sister's room, but something told me I had nearly reached the end of the trail of clues.

Upon first reading the note, I was totally prepared to hop on the next plane to Michigan right that instant. But Ian's sister convinced me to give it a few days; maybe the clue wasn't actually in Michigan. And then I'd made a trip all the way across the country only to discover the clue was at home all along.

But something told me he was actually there. In Saugatuck, Michigan. And it killed me to sit at home while my gut told me he was there waiting. But I knew Ian's sister was right. 

So, I spent days doing research on Saugatuck, Michigan. Looking for hidden clues. But I found absolutey nothing. So then I knew. I was just sitting at the computer, and I realized it'd been almost a week of doing absolutely nothing, and I set my heart out.

As soon as possible, I would go to Michigan. 

But first, I had a couple things to take care of.

|||

As I dialed his number, I realized that it didn't even feel strange to be calling him. It felt natural, like I was calling any old friend. In reality, I was about to speak to the person who ruined my childhood. Again.

But, maybe it was just because I was still mad at my mom, but I truly felt like I had mended every bridge that had been burnt between us. To the point where I could comfortably call him. It was a really great feeling.

He answered on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, dad."

"Hey, I was wondering if you were gonna call me one of these days."

I smiled. I had a hard time believing I was talking to the same man who ruined half my life. But was it really him that ruined it? I couldn't even tell anymore.

"Yeah, I'm actually calling to ask if you'd be able to come up here sometime."

I expected him to be hesitant, but he spoke almost instantly.

"Yeah! I have all of next week off, so I could come up for a few days. Is there a particular reason, or do you just miss me too much?"

I bit my lip. I didn't necessarily want to tell him the real reason, but I figured I might as well - it'd be better to tell him the truth now before he was actually here.

"Well, truth is..." I took a deep breath. "I'm about to head off to Michigan for a little bit. I-I really think that's where Ian is. And I guess I just sorta decided that I wanted to clear everything up between everyone I'd had problems with these past few months before everything goes back to normal, so... I guess what I'm trying to say is I really want you and Mom to at least try to make up."

I heard him take a deep breath on the other end of line, and I knew I'd made a big mistake. Surely he didn't want to come up here now. I should have just told him when he was already here.

But, his response surprised me.

"I think that's a good idea, actually. I can get there Monday, if that works for you."