Chapter 29

 

Carol paced the living room, Chance at her heels. The radio distracted her a bit, but she couldn’t settle anywhere. She’d traded her nightclothes for leggings and a baggy sweatshirt, and started a pot of coffee for Joey. How much longer?

A motor broke the night’s silence and Carol’s heart rate spiked. She hurried to the window. Joey? Or Paul? Come home. Please come home.

An unfamiliar car pulled up to the curb and Carol ran to fling open the front door.

Joey sprinted across the lawn.

Chance rumbled a low growl and pressed against Carol’s leg. “Hush, fella. He’s a friend.” She stepped back to let Joey in.

Joey’s eyes searched her face. “What happened?”

“He was supposed to be in by midnight. He’s with Tara-Lynn and she’s not answering her cell and please don’t make any innuendos. Harry’s money — I don’t have it yet. They broke into the apartment before, what if they’ve taken Paul?”

Carol found herself in Joey’s arms, holding on for dear life. Joey’s fingertips circled slowly on her shoulder blades. Little by little Carol gathered strength to stand on her own. She stepped back and led Joey into the living room.

He tossed his jacket on the coffee table and sat beside her on the couch, the dog watching his every move. “Have you phoned the police?”

Carol nodded. “The detective said he’d contact Paul’s friend Barry and try to find where they might have gone. He told me not to wait alone. I’m sorry I dragged you out of bed.”

“Don’t be. I want to help.” Joey squeezed her hand. “I’m not very eloquent, but would you like me to pray with you?”

Carol shrugged. “Thanks, but no. I don’t have a very good track record with faith.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not really. If you’re happy with it, I don’t want to discourage you.”

“Hey, faith is like life. It’s messy and confusing at times, but I’ve experienced God’s work in my heart. I know He’s real.” Joey lifted a shoulder. “I still have questions, and I doubt I’d be able to answer yours, but you won’t scare me off.”

Carol hadn’t thought in terms of questions, but she sensed them now, lingering beneath the hurt. “I prayed for my Mom, and she died. When Keith got into drugs, a friend prayed with me. Prayer healed her from a brain tumour. Keith died and she said my faith wasn’t strong enough.”

Tears burned Carol’s eyes. She slumped forward, hoping Joey wouldn’t see. “I can’t pray for Paul. I might kill him.”

Chance left his post by Joey and pressed himself against Carol’s leg.

Joey yanked some tissues from the box on the coffee table and pressed them into her palm. He rested his hand on her back.

“It doesn’t work like that. Someone who’s studied could try to explain how our faith and God’s power interact, but look at it this way. Did you mean what you asked? Did you think God could do it?”

Carol nodded, not trusting herself to speak.

“So you did your part. Keith had a part to play too, and maybe he couldn’t because of the drugs. But your toxic friend blaming you... if your prayers had the power of life and death, wouldn’t that make you stronger than God?”

Carol lifted her head and frowned at Joey. “I couldn’t be.”

His thumb wiped a fresh tear from her cheek. “Precisely. You’re a strong woman, but not that strong.”

Another tear slipped down Carol’s cheek. Her entire body vibrated, the muscles so tight it felt like they’d rip free.

Joey pulled her closer. “We don’t know anything’s happened. Paul may be fine — until you get hold of him.”

A tremor racked Carol’s body. “If they’ve killed him I swear I will burn their money and hand over the ashes.” She pulled out of Joey’s embrace and turned to face him. “I can’t take this, Joey, I think I’m going to explode.”

Carol read compassion in his eyes, in the wry twist of his lips. Joey nodded, his gaze never leaving her face. “Then we’ll pick up the pieces together. Listen, when my world crashed it wasn’t this bad, but it was still messy. Pieces everywhere.”

Gentle hands clasped hers. “The same God who picked me up off the floor can help you now. He didn’t do too bad a job on me, did He?”

“What if there’s nothing left to put together?”

“There will be.”

An Eagles ring tone sounded and Joey dove for his jacket pocket. “Hello?”

He straightened at once and thrust the phone toward her. “Paul.”

Carol clutched it to her ear. “Paul! Are you all right?”

“Mom?”

She heard wariness and a bit of chagrin in his voice, but no danger. Relief clogged her throat. Shaking her head, Carol passed the phone back to Joey.

He thumbed a button and held the phone between them. “Paul, where are you?”

“Why’s Mom at your place?” Her son’s voice came over the speaker. Chance sat up and stared at it, ears perked.

“I’m at your place. Waiting for you. Why’d you phone me instead of your mom?”

“I hoped she’d be asleep. Listen, Joey, we need help. Amber’s in a bad way and if her parents see her like this they’ll kick her out. I know it’s asking a lot, but could we crash at your place for the night?”

“Come home.” Joey’s gaze flicked to meet Carol’s.

“I can’t bring Amber like this. She’s tripped out on something and it’ll make Mom think of Keith. We hoped you’d understand.”

“Just get home. Your mother’s been frantic.”

“I can take care of myself.”

“Like your dog when those thugs broke in. How far away are you?”

After a muffled conversation, Paul said, “Maybe half an hour.”

“We’ll be waiting. And I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Yeah. Bye.”

Joey closed the phone and dropped it on the coffee table. “No danger, just an idiot teenager. Make that three. I could pound him for putting you through this.”

Carol leaned back against the couch. Anger would come, but right now she felt damply giddy with relief. She gave Joey a weak smile. “Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for trusting me enough to call.”

“I need to let the detective know, and Paul’s friend.” Carol pushed to her feet, stepped past Chance and headed for the kitchen to make the calls.

Garraway first. The detective kept his tone matter-of-fact, but his words came out clipped. He had to be angry about a midnight false alarm. “Ms. Daniels, I’m glad this turned out all right. You need to make Paul understand the danger until the money is transferred. Abduction was a very real possibility here.”

“After this, Detective, he may be grounded for life. I’m really sorry to ruin your night’s sleep over this.”

“Don’t mention it, ma’am. It’s why they pay me the big bucks. Good night.”

When Carol reached Barry, the boy sounded like he hadn’t been worried, but maybe he didn’t know about the drug ring.

She poked her head back into the living room. “Would you like a coffee and some cookies?”

Joey got off the couch and came to her side. “I’m fine, thanks, unless you need to keep busy.”

“I think I’ll make some hot chocolate for the kids. If they’ve been driving around all this time not knowing what to do...”

“In that case, I’d better eat my cookies before they arrive.”

It felt good to laugh again. Leaving a carafe of hot chocolate on the counter, Carol and Joey took their cups and a plate of cookies into the living room where they’d be able to hear Tara-Lynn’s car.

Carol’s tea cup trembled in her hand, and she braced it against her leg. She’d been so scared, but she didn’t want to explode in front of Paul’s friends. And Amber... “I don’t want Paul spending time with a drug addict.”

“She doesn’t want to stay that way, and she needs some good friends right now.”

“It’s just, after Keith — “

Joey took another cookie from the plate. “These are terrific. Have you talked to Paul about Keith? He saw more than enough, and I don’t think anything’s going to tempt him down that road.”

“Will Amber make it? Keith tried.”

“I made it. We have to hope.”

A car pulled into the driveway. Carol ran to the front door, Joey at her heels. He stepped into his shoes. “They might need help with Amber.”

A minute later Joey and Paul appeared, half carrying the crying girl. Tara-Lynn followed.

Carol spread towels over the couch and directed them to lay Amber down. “Is she vomiting?”

Paul looked up, his face white. “Not now.”

As soon as he straightened, Carol seized him in a fierce hug. He gave her back an awkward pat. “I’m sorry.”

She heard Joey ask Tara-Lynn into the kitchen. When she could trust herself to speak, Carol stepped back to hold her son at arms’ length. The blistering rant faded unspoken at the exhaustion in his face. “You look terrible.”

“You don’t look so good yourself.” Paul touched her hair. “Mom, I never meant to scare you like this. We didn’t know what to do, and I guess I didn’t think.”

A sniffly, singsong giggle came from the couch. “Do you know the muffin man...”

 

~~~

 

Carol tucked a soft blanket around Amber and drew Paul into the kitchen. Tara-Lynn sat at the table with Joey, her face as strained as Paul’s. She broke off what she’d been saying and looked up at Carol.

“Ms. Daniels, I’m so sorry. Amber can’t go home like this, and we’ve been driving for hours trying to find a place for her. My mom’s having a party, Pastor Stu must be out on another emergency, and we didn’t know what to do.”

Tears sparkled in Tara-Lynn’s eyes. “I was so afraid the police would stop us. I don’t have my full licence yet so I’m only allowed one passenger under twenty after midnight.”

Carol put a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “It’s okay now. It’s over.”

Joey gave his seat to Carol. “Paul, you sit too, and I’ll get the drinks your mom made.”

“Just a minute.” Paul left the room and returned with his wooden desk chair, singing, “One of These Things is Not Like the Others.” He broke off the Sesame Street classic. “Amber’s got me going now.”

Joey set steaming mugs of hot chocolate in front of the teens and refilled the cookie plate. He poured some hot chocolate into his mug. “I haven’t had this stuff in years. Can I make you more tea, Carol?”

Carol summoned a grateful smile. “Yes please.” She’d reassert her independence soon enough. Right now it felt good to be looked after.

While the water boiled, Joey came to stand near the table. He fixed one teen, then the other, with a stern gaze. “Promise me you’ll never pull a stunt like this again.”

Tara-Lynn’s chin quivered and Paul shot back, “Enough! It was my fault, and I’ll take the blame. Tara-Lynn didn’t know we’d had a break-in or about those creeps and their money. If it was anything but drugs, we’d have come here right away.”

The look he flashed at Carol sparked with pride. “Mom always made home a safe place, even if we got in trouble. But drugs are just too much.”

Carol turned to Tara-Lynn. “Should you phone home?”

Pink stained the girl’s cheeks. “I told Mom I was staying with a friend. I just... haven’t found where yet.”

Joey brought Carol’s tea and sank onto the remaining chair. “Sorry, gang, but no underage females — or males for that matter — spend the night at my place unless I’m somewhere else with witnesses to prove it.”

“They can stay here.” Another time Carol would have laughed at the incredulous look on her son’s face. Protective determination hardened her voice. “Amber needs help. If her parents won’t give it, I will.”

Her lips firmed. Kick the girl out, indeed. Life on the street would only make her worse. “The girls can have my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

Joey yawned. “My bed’s sounding pretty good right about now. You’ve got everything under control. I think I’ll head out.” He blinked at his watch. “Wonder if I’ll make it to church this morning.”

After Joey left, they moved Amber into Carol’s room and tucked her into bed fully clothed. Carol found an extra sleep shirt for Tara-Lynn. “She’s quieter now. I hope she doesn’t keep you awake.”

Tara-Lynn shrugged. “I think I could zonk out standing up. But I don’t want her to wake alone and disoriented in a strange place.”

Carol slept fitfully and woke mid-morning with a mind full of dream fragments in which Keith, Amber, or both, ran mazes and fought monsters. She dragged herself through the shower and changed into the clothes she’d taken from her room before bed.

None of the teens surfaced until Carol was taking banana muffins from the oven. Amber walked into the kitchen, rumpled and wearing a puzzled frown. She squinted at Carol. “Hi.”

Carol set the muffin tray on a potholder and took off the oven mitts. “Hi. I’m Paul’s mom, Carol. Do you remember them bringing you here for the night?”

Amber twisted a lock of hair around her finger and didn’t meet Carol’s eyes. “I’m not sure. Thank you for letting me stay. I’m sorry to be a bother.”

Carol longed to gather the girl in a comforting hug, but that would probably embarrass her more. Instead Carol offered her a seat and set a plate of steaming muffins on the table. “Help yourself when they cool a bit. There’s coffee on. I thought we’d all need some.”

Amber’s lower lip trembled. “No, thanks.”

Carol sat in the nearest chair and took her hand. “Amber, I don’t know what happened last night, but you can beat this. If you lose hope, nobody can help you.”

Keith’s face rose in Carol’s memory and her voice broke. “I think that’s what happened to Paul’s brother. But you have friends who care enough about you to drive around the city half the night instead of leaving you on a street corner or sending you home to face your parents. They believe in you.”

Amber’s eyes swam with tears. Her look spoke doubtful thanks, but she didn’t try to speak. Carol went for the tissue box and set it on the table. “Can you try a muffin or a drink? Your body’s probably empty.”

“Maybe a coffee, please? Double-double.”

“Coming right up. I’ll make a solid brunch once the other two appear.”

“Thank you, Ms. Daniels. Paul’s a lucky guy.”

Carol chose a pretty floral mug from the cupboard and reached for the coffee pot.

Behind her, Amber continued, “He told me about his brother. I’m sorry. But you must be proud of Paul. He’s responsible and keeps out of trouble, and what a musician.”

Hot coffee sloshed onto the counter. Carol put down the pot and grabbed the dishcloth to wipe up the spill. “What?”

“I went last night to hear his band. They’re still a bit novice, but he blew the audience away on a couple solos. Then stupid me bumped into some of my old friends and I couldn’t walk away.”

Ice slid around Carol’s heart. Fear, or anger?

A detached part of her mind noticed Amber sounded more disgusted with herself than hopeless now. Good. Maybe the girl could make a clean start.

A band? And where did Paul get a guitar — or practice enough to perform? Suddenly the time he spent with Barry didn’t seem so innocent. When he’d admitted he needed the music, was he trying to prepare her?

Carol’s hands shook as she finished filling Amber’s mug. She stirred in a double shot of milk and two sugars. Please don’t let him turn out like Skip! Carol’s desperate wishes to the universe couldn’t help Paul, and no matter what Joey said, she was afraid to try praying.

Paul had told her, and Joey reinforced it, that seeing Keith’s addiction made him avoid drugs himself. Could he have learned enough about Skip to keep music from ruining his chances for a happy family?

Skip’s drug of choice had been alcohol and he’d been happiest in the middle of a party. Carol had seen none of that from Paul, but even the small fame of a raw high school band would bring temptation.

Despite her turmoil, she carried Amber’s coffee to the table with a steady hand. The girl nibbled at a muffin. Good, she’d need something healthy in her stomach.

Paul walked into the kitchen, yawning and scratching his head, as the phone rang.

Carol stiffened. She couldn’t handle another threatening call right now.