Mary's Bones

TWENTY-ONE

Food was the last thing on my mind. Rosemary must have agreed because she hadn't bothered me for the past few hours. I could have been running on empty and I wouldn't have known.

"Angie, is something bothering you? You look really sad." Evelyn glanced at me through her lashes.

I chuckled softly. "It's funny you mention that. John said the same thing earlier. Except he used the word depressed."

"And now, reach for your toes. Try to go as far as you can." The yoga instructor—I think she introduced herself as Darla—bent forward, touching the floor. She flattened her palms on the hard-wooden texture until her fingers spread. Others followed her lead as meditation music flooded the room. It's a calm, rejuvenating sound played softly in the background.

"Hold this position for ten seconds, then come back up," she said.

"My doctor told me depression during pregnancy often goes unnoticed, so it's very important to watch out for the symptoms," Evelyn whispered. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I swear I'm fine, Evelyn. Don't worry about me. I just have a lot on my mind. You're starting to sound too much like my husband," I joked.

She laughed quietly and shook her head. "Well, if you ever need to vent, don't be afraid to talk to me. You have my number. I'm willing to listen."

"Alright, everyone! Slowly make your way back up and take a seat on your mats"—Darla sat down, folding her legs together, until the soles of her feet were pressed against each other—"make sure your feet are together in this position and push your legs down as far as they can go. Keep your back straight and your hands on your feet. This is called the butterfly. If you can, bend your head forward until you feel your toes. Now, let's hold this position for fifteen seconds."

We copied her movements. When fifteen seconds were up, she stood, and grabbed her water bottle. "Let's take five minutes everyone! Relax and then, we'll get right back to it!" I took that as my cue to lay back.

"Speaking of venting, did you see the latest news?" Evelyn grabbed my attention.

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"They found another child this morning, just before 8:00 AM. The bones were pulled out of an old abandoned shed near a neighborhood, right next to Clareleche River," Evelyn whispered. "I think it was somewhere in West Greenbush, but on the deeper end of town. The description of the girl hasn't been released yet. I'm sure they'll reveal her identity soon though."

As if I needed a reminder as to what's been bugging me. I groaned under my breath. I almost closed my eyes until I realized she said 8:00 AM. Like a rewind on the clock, my brain geared backwards.

"Wait, did you just say eight in the morning?" I shot up into an upright position.

"Yeah! I did . . . I think?" She nodded slowly.

John and I's conversation from earlier replayed in my mind.

"Where are you rushing off too?" I questioned, scrambling eggs around the pan. John stumbled into the kitchen, coat in hand, using his other hand to reach for a banana.

"They need me at the station. Someone gave us a tip on one of the missing girls two days ago and it turns out, their report just might be right. I've gotta go. I'll see you later, I love you." John shuffled into his coat, pressing a kiss to my lips.

"Oh, okay!" I said. Someone gave us a tip. The guilt in my core tightened. It had to be me. There was no else it could have been.

I shook the memory off, glancing down at my bare toes. "What did the reports say?"