T heo Sinclair stayed behind while the search went into the mountains. He had returned with the messenger who came to ask about his father to Apache Junction, but between him and his brother, they decided that Artie should be the one to go.
He didn’t remember why they had come to that arrangement, but after hours of listening to his stepmother’s wails, he wished that he could reverse it. He half-reclined on the sofa feeling useless and utterly exhausted. Myrtle’s voice managed to escape her bedroom as she predicted to an attendant the worst possible future for her husband’s life.
“He was gone before I woke up! He never stays away this long without telling me. What shall we do?”
Her description went into however she imagined his death. Theo closed his eyes.
Why would Dad even be in the Superstition Mountains? What could he possibly need up there?
According to Myrtle, Fred Salts had been sent to Flagstaff on a business matter, so not even he could be asked to shed light on Charles Sinclair’s whereabouts.
Dad might not be in the mountains at all. He might walk through the door and surprise us all at any moment. Or, perhaps, the man exaggerated about the scene and Dad is only injured. We only have the word of one person.
He felt a tug on his pant leg and opened his eyes. Hazel stood at his knee. She didn’t say anything at first. She just watched him.
The dark eyes unnerved him. “Did you need something?”
Hazel’s face did not alter. She seemed almost emotionless in her manner. “Mama’s scaring me. She keeps crying.”
“She’s enough to scare anyone.” Theo put his arms behind his head.
Hazel didn’t move. “Is Daddy dead, Theo?”
Something about the question pricked him. “We don’t know if anyone is dead, Hazel.”
The sharp tone coincided with tears sparking in the girl’s eyes, the emotionless mask dissolving. She didn’t blink, or he felt sure they would spill over. “I’m sorry for asking, Theo.” She dropped her head and turned around.
Theo knew that he should call her back. He could imagine Artie saying so. He didn’t want to.
Myrtle started into hysterics again, her voice echoing through the house. Theo clenched his jaw.
Whatever possessed my father to go through with a marriage to such an annoying, histrionic woman, I will never know! At least wait until we have better proof that anything even happened before you lose your mind!
Hazel had frozen in step when her mother’s voice increased. She turned back toward Theo. “Artie isn’t home.”
“I know that.” Does she think stating the obvious is going to change something?
She swallowed, brushing her hand over her eyes. “Mama is with Mrs. Harris.”
He widened his eyes. “Obviously.”
Her eyebrows drew together for a brief second before her chin quivered. “I don’t want to be by myself, Theo. Couldn’t–couldn’t I sit with you? I’ll be quiet.”
He opened his mouth to deride the idea. What good would it do her to sit with him anyhow? She seemed to read the answer on his face, though, and heaved her shoulders into a sigh.
She’s seven. Her father is missing, and her mother is in hysterics. If I can’t give her compassion based on her being my sister, I could at least treat her as well as I might treat a stranger’s child. He caught himself before scoffing aloud at his own thoughts. You would want to run from a stranger’s child.
The little girl turned to leave the room.
“Hazel.”
She stopped, looking over her shoulder at him.
“You can sit with me, if you like. Don’t go bugging me with a lot of chit-chat or nonsensical questions, though. I’m not in the mood.”
She nodded rapidly. “I won’t.” She looked from him to the sofa and back. “Can I sit next to you?”
When Myrtle’s hysterics grew in volume once again, Theo smothered the sigh that would have been his original answer. “You can sit next to me.”
Hazel scrambled onto the sofa, her frizzy braids bouncing. She sat beside him, perfectly straight, and placed folded hands into her lap.
We’ll see how long that lasts.
She didn’t look up at or speak to him. Instead, the child contemplated the furnishings, though she might have been expected to have memorized them long since.
Theo leaned his head back again, closing his eyes. Myrtle continued to wail, and Hazel fidgeted. Theo sighed.
It’s going to be a long night.