Charles Sitton drove his ten-year-old Oldsmobile into his driveway and parked with a sigh. He was so glad to be home and see Elizabeth! It seemed she had been gone much longer than ten days. Charles was surprised to see no lights on in the house but surmised that Elizabeth had been tired and was taking a nap while awaiting his return from work. He hurried to the front door and unlocked it, calling, “Lizzie, I’m home!” No response. He walked down the hallway to her room, expecting to find her lying down, but she was not there, nor was there any sign she had been home. Concerned, he grabbed the phone.
James Romson had remained at the plant to help oversee the repairs on the assembly line along with Charles Sitton, so he was just walking in the door of his own home when the phone rang. He picked it up and answered, “Romson residence.”
“James, Charles here. Did Jed get the message to give Elizabeth a ride home today? She isn’t here yet.”
“I don’t know, Charles. I just walked in the door. I didn’t see his Bronco in the drive. Hang on and I’ll ask Mary if she’s heard from him.”
In the background, Charles heard, “Mary? I’m home. Have you heard from Jed?”
Mary Romson walked into the kitchen where James held the telephone. “Hi, James.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ve not heard from Jed. Did their plane get in on time?”
James Romson spoke into the telephone again. “Charles, Mary hasn’t heard from them. Do you know if they arrived back at the school yet?”
“The bus was at the school when I drove by, so they had to have gotten in. I didn’t see many cars in the parking lot. You know they wouldn’t hang around there long. I’ll call their sponsor, Mr. Johnson, at home and see if he knows anything.” With his finger, Charles broke the connection. He picked up the directory and quickly looked up George Johnson’s phone number.
“Johnsons’” was the tired-sounding response he heard after the second ring.
“Mr. Johnson, Charles Sitton here. Do you know if Elizabeth got the word to ride home with Jed Romson this morning? She isn’t here at the house.”
“Hi, Charles. Please, call me George. The kids call me ‘Mr.’ I know Elizabeth got the word. I saw her get in the car with Jed. They didn’t waste any time leaving, but I don’t know where they went. As far as I know, everyone went home. I didn’t hear anything about anyone going anywhere else.”
“Did anyone else ride with them?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t see anyone else get in the car, but I can’t say for sure. I know Elizabeth was unhappy you weren’t there.”
“I know. It couldn’t be helped. We had a hydraulic line burst at the plant, and it started a small fire. James and I both had to go in and get it taken care of. Thanks for your time, and welcome home.”
“You might try the Baldwins. Teddy was sitting with Jed on the bus. He would know if they had any other plans.” George sounded hopeful.
“Thanks, again.” Charles Sitton again broke the connection and looked up the Baldwins’ phone number. After six rings, the answering machine picked up. Charles hung up the phone and tried to think who else might know where Jed and Elizabeth could be. Perhaps Samantha would know. She and Elizabeth were very close. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and wrist. For some reason, he was sweating and dread pooled in his stomach.
Finding the Quarlles’ number, finally, he dialed. On the third ring, he heard “Hello?”
“Hi, Mr. Quarlles? Charles Sitton here. Could I speak with Samantha?”
“I’m sorry, but you have the wrong number.”
“Sorry!” Frustrated, he hung up and carefully redialed the Quarlles’ number.
“Hello, Quarlles’ residence.”
“Hi. This is Charles Sitton. Could I please speak with Samantha for just a moment?”
“Certainly, just a jiffy.”
Charles poured himself a glass of cold water and sat down at the kitchen table. His hands shook. He knew he was being ridiculous and jumping to conclusions, but anxiety had overtaken him. Elizabeth would probably call him a worrywart when she walked in.
“Hi, Mr. Sitton. This is Samantha.”
“Oh, hi, Samantha. Welcome home. I hope you enjoyed your trip.”
“Oh, yes! Thanks! We had a great time.”
“Good. Quick question for you. Do you know if Elizabeth rode home with Jed?”
“Yes, I know she did. I saw her get in his truck. She seemed upset about something.”
“I know. I was supposed to pick her up, but we had a breakdown. Do you know if anyone else went with them or if they said anything about stopping somewhere first?”
“I’m sorry, but I didn’t talk to her after we got off the bus. I don’t think anyone else rode along, though. I didn’t see anyone else.”
“Thanks very much. Welcome home, and I’ll see you at graduation.”
“Okay, I can’t wait! You are coming to my party, aren’t you?”
“Wouldn’t miss it! See you then.” With a shaking hand, he hung up one more time, then dialed the number every parent dreads.
“Police Department, Sergeant Donnelly speaking. How may I help you?”
“Hello, Sergeant. Charles Sitton here. I’m calling to see if there have been any accident reports or any incidents involving my daughter, Elizabeth, and Jed Romson. Jed would have been driving an old Ford Bronco, blue with a white top. I’m sorry, but I don’t know the year or license number. They should have been home, and . . .”
“No, sir. I’ve had no accident reports today at all. It’s been a quiet day.”
“Thanks. My daughter should have returned home hours ago, but neither she nor Jed have been seen or heard from. What should I do?”
“How old is she?”
“She just turned eighteen last month.”
“Do you suspect foul play? You mentioned a Jed Romson. Do you suspect he did something?”
“No, they are classmates and friends. I don’t suspect Jed of hurting her.”
“Well, sir, she is an adult, so unless there is reason to believe a crime or foul play has been committed, there is really nothing we can do. Sometimes kids do crazy things. I’m sure she’ll turn up.”
“Okay, thank you, sir. I appreciate your help.” Charles Sitton hung up the phone and sank into a chair with a worried frown. This was so unlike Elizabeth. He couldn’t imagine her wanting to go someplace or do anything before coming home.
He picked up the phone again and dialed the Romson home. “Hello, Mary? Charles here. Have you heard anything from Jed?”
“Charles, I’m sorry, but we haven’t heard from him. We’ve been trying to find him, too.”
“I just got off the phone with the police. They don’t have any accident reports or anything. They said they can’t do anything unless a crime or foul play has been committed because they both are considered adults. I guess we just have to wait for them to show up.”
It was a long, sleepless night in both homes.