forgetting me

28

The Peterson Household. Boston
July 22nd, 2002

Diana stared at the wall, head spinning. She had barely slept in the past week. At this point, she was purely caffeine and spite. The detective had closed the missing person cases a week ago, after John had disappeared, too. He didn't call Diana or tell her anything. She had to storm in to the police station and demand answers, but all Staman told her was that the Petersons were not missing. No matter what she threatened to do, he would not tell her any more.

Diana called John at least twenty times a day the first few days. He never answered, but she was never sent to voicemail. She suspected he had blocked her number.

With everything happening, Diana was worried what would become of her marriage. Would they divorce? John would have to face her to divorce, and Diana got the feeling he didn't want to do that.

She changed her gaze from the wall to the open door at the end of the hallway. William's room. Diana was upset that she would never see him again. He'd always lit some fire in her, and she had definitely married the wrong Peterson. Perhaps she didn't regret everything she had done to him. Looking back, she'd had fun.

A laugh bubbled out of her lips, and then she couldn't stop. All she could do was laugh and laugh.

A knock sounded at the door. Somehow, Diana managed to call them in. Her mother entered the kitchen, carrying bags of food. She gave Diana a small smile as she set the bags on the counter.

"What have you done?" she asked softly.

Diana shook her head, and her mother came over to hug her tightly. Tears sprung to her eyes, and Diana didn't try to blink them away. She let them blind her sight, blur the room around her, and stain her her cheeks. It was the first time that Diana had cried through all the chaos. She had been left completely alone, without any warning. They wouldn't return, and if she was completely honest with herself, Diana couldn't blame them.

"Something that can't be undone," she answered finally, her voice raspy.

But Diana didn't tell her what, because she was afraid of her mother siding with John and William. She was afraid of losing the last person willing to stay and be a shoulder to cry on.