Premonition

Bad Luck

The phone flew from her hands when she misjudged the distance of the top step from the landing. If she hadn't grabbed the railing, she would have tumbled after it. She thought, as she righted herself, how odd it was that she hadn't heard it land on the floor below.

"Darce, breakfast," her dad called, his voice coming from the general direction of the kitchen.

"Coming. Just have to find my phone."

She reached the foot of the stairs just as he came out carrying a plate of eggs and sausage.

"Your phone?"

"I dropped it on my way down."

She was already scanning the floor for the phone's likely resting place. Her dad looked too, then held her plate out to her.

"Hold this," he said, "I'll get the phone."

She took the plate and waited, expecting him to grab his own phone to call hers. Instead, he rolled up his sleeve and stuck his arm elbow deep into the fishtank set up adjacent to the stairs. There, in the water, was her phone.

"Is it ruined?"

His jaw was set and his eyes did the squint thing she knew meant he was annoyed.

"Guess we won't know until it's dried. Here."

He pulled the phone out and wiped it along his pants, then held it out to her. She took it with her free hand.

"Go put it in some rice."

"Does that work?"

He shrugged.

"Best I can figure right now."

Until then she hadn't noticed he was wearing one of his nicer outfits instead of weekend lounge clothes. His nicer clothes were reserved for meetings, church, and family functions. It being a Saturday, church wasn't likely.

"Is someone coming?"

He looked at his clothes, then seemed to realize why she'd asked.

"No. I forgot to tell you with all the, uh, excitement last night. Don Rennel had an appointment over in Tulsa, so he'll be out of town til Monday. He had a meeting with a potential client scheduled for today so he asked if I could cover."

Darcey smiled. If Don had asked him to cover a meeting like this, maybe her dad could finally start taking it easy. No more rough work on the production floor. Maybe he'd finally get a desk job.

"Congratulations," she offered, "So is this a lunch meeting, or should I make supper?"

"You'll have to make both," he answered. When she looked confused he added, "It'll be an overnight trip out of town. Sorry kiddo."

Her throat went dry. Instantly she recalled last night. That night terror, the one where Kyle tried to warn her.

"Dad-"

He cut her off as if he'd read her mind.

"You're seventeen. I think you can manage a night without me."

"What if... What if something happens and my phone doesn't work?"

"We still have the house phone. Believe it or not, it can make the same calls a cellphone can," he offered, trying to lighten the mood. He raised his arms as if to surrender when Darcey didn't smile.

"Invite Trina over. It's been ages since you had a sleepover."

She gave him a doubtful look, but she knew he wouldn't change his plans. An icy knot formed in her stomach as she turned toward the kitchen to get the rice. She set her breakfast plate down on the counter, her food forgotten.