The Search

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I swung my feet out of the car and glanced up and the small suburban cottage where Marcia Edwards lived with her dog Bigboy. I chuckled to myself as I thought about the small Shiatsu with the large temper from which he found his name. I walked up the neat footpath where a beautiful array of colourful flowers welcomed me from each side. I walked up the painted white steps and faced the wooden panelled door. I sucked in my breath and tapped on the door three times. I scanned the porch as I waited.

I sighed as I heard the latch opening and a petite woman with the same warm eyes as her son opened the door. Bigboy was in her arms and he growled as he saw me and Marcia froze. She stared me up and down as if wondering how to react to her sons’ girlfriend making an appearance at her house. It was strange because Marcia always greeted me with a friendly hug and all the friendship in her heart but today a huge concrete wall was built between us.

I saw many boxes stacked up behind her in the hallway and I wondered what they are for.

“You’re moving?” I asked.

“Ehm..yes!” she said uncertainly.

“To ehh..Europe! Paris actually, Jack and I always said we would go but never had the money but I guess now that he’s gone I may as well.”

She looked to her feet and glanced up at me quickly.

“Is everything quite alright dear?” She asked.

“Well I just have a few questions. I’m sure you’ve noticed Peter has disappeared from thin air.”

“Oh no, did you break up?”

“Eh no, not exactly! He just left, disappeared,” tears filled my eyes at the memory of Peter’s leaving, “And I don’t know what to do..I was wondering if you had seen him? Or know where he has gone?”

“I think you should just let him be.” Marcia said with force while she rubbed my arm up and down awkwardly.

“But he loves me.”

“Dear, he wouldn’t have left if he loved you.”

Confusion belted in my ears and pain slapped me in the face.

I nodded and Marcia’s look softened.

“Look, if it’s any consolation I haven’t seen him in two months and he never told me where he went or where was going so it’s not just you who has to deal with worry. Just leave him be okay..don’t go searching for him, don’t try and find him, he’ll come back when he is ready.”

She mumbled something under her breath which I didn’t quite catch but I didn’t bother to ask because I needed to leave. She reminded me too much of the person who left me behind.

Before I left I quickly asked,

“He doesn’t have another woman, does he?”

Marcia glared at me and her face expressed annoyance and no sense of grief over her sons disappearance.

“No, now go home dear, I need to leave.”

Doubt surged me and I began to think of all the possible situations.

“If you see or hear from him tell him I love him.”

She sighed deeply and softly led me to the door but not before a huge man with black boots came bounding down the stairs.

“Lauren, I’ve finished all the…”

He paused and his eyes widened as he saw me.

“My name is Marcia.”

Marcia glared at the man with a knowing look.

“I’m the removal man.”

The man smiled, unsure. I gave Marcia a small smile and left. The flowers along the path no longer looked welcoming but as if they were warning me, warning me not to come back here. I hopped into the passenger seat and Becca looked at me expectantly.

“Just drive.”