It was a quiet evening.
My husband was missing-in-action like his daughter. I had no clue where he was or the reason behind his cryptic text earlier. I loved that he was considerate enough to warn me that he would be late, but I needed details too. Like where did he think Briana had gone? And, I gathered from his text that his being late had something to do with another matter entirely. In fact, Amos has been preoccupied for a few days prior to his daughter’s disappearing act. He was either looking at something or talking to someone on his phone.
Another mystery!
I think one mystery at a time was enough for me. This one was turning out to be the most frustrating because I knew all the people involved, and most of them were my former students.
I fed the dog and made a peanut butter sandwich. My children always teased me about not including the jelly. I’d always just wanted the peanut butter since I was a little girl. It was one of those nights. I didn’t see a need to cook. I guess I’d been spoiled since my wedding night. Amos had always been here for dinner. So much had happened today that I wanted to share. With all his detective experience, he knew how to read people.
Doing my best to remain positive, I tried to enjoy my time alone. I intended to spend it snooping and started digging on my most favorite place online. Determined not to be sucked in by anything else on the feed, I returned to Sondra’s Facebook page, which was filled with people expressing condolences for the young woman’s untimely death.
I scrolled for some time before something caught my eye.
Charlene Hunt.
She’d left a message. I wondered if Sondra’s long time, on and off friend would share her grievances publicly.
She did.
Sondra, I’m sorry. I can’t believe you’re gone. Now I really feel alone.
I read the post again. Why was Charlene sorry? Was she sorry her friend was killed or was she apologizing for something else? I was a bit alarmed by her feeling alone. Had this young woman been grieving her twin sister all these years even though she’d been gone a decade? Sondra was the closest person Charlene would have had in her life who was also close to Yvette.
I clicked Charlene’s name, landing on her profile page. What struck me first was a public photo that had been posted about three weeks ago. It was a photo of Charlene, Sondra and Yvette. Sondra and Yvette were dressed in cheerleader uniforms, while Charlene was dressed in jeans. It was a curious photo because Sondra had her arm slung around Yvette while Charlene stood to the side, smiling awkwardly. It was almost like she didn’t belong, but had been included as a part of the photo anyway.
I noticed she’d tagged Sondra, but when I looked at the comments I didn’t see where Sondra had responded. Maybe she didn’t see it.
I know people tag me on posts and after a while I just get annoyed with the notifications.
Further down her page, Charlene had posted pictures of her with her twin when they were little girls. Though they were fraternal twins, both girls were still dressed alike in typical twin fashion. I read Charlene’s post.
It’s been ten years since you’ve been gone. Never forgotten, Sis.
I scrolled to see if I recognized names in the comments. My head was starting to hurt from all this digging. I’m not sure why, but I never saw Sondra’s name. I got the impression that Sondra didn’t interact with Charlene on Facebook. Though I recalled Charlene and Sondra being close during middle school, the friendship appeared stronger between Sondra and Yvette in high school.
My memory wasn’t what it used to be. I could be remembering the girls wrong.
Maybe as they got older Sondra no longer had anything in common with Charlene. Cheerleading would be an activity that kept Yvette and Sondra closer.
Despite my growing exhaustion from the day, two names popped out as I continued to scroll through comments.
Both Theo and Damion had responded to Charlene’s post about her sister.
Theo: Your sister was so much fun. Still miss her.
Damion: I know you’re hurting. Hang in there. Love ya.
I had to smile at Damion’s response. Based on the conversation I had with Damion earlier, who clearly didn’t like Sondra, I could tell he was very fond of Charlene.
I closed the laptop, ready to head to bed. I had suspicions about Charlene earlier, mainly because I felt like she could have recorded the fight at Sugar Creek Cafe.
So what if she did?
She may have been using the recording to protect her friend if Briana had retaliated.
But Briana didn’t. Sondra initiated the argument.
Sondra also ended up dead.
I was beyond confused and exhausted. As I brushed my teeth, my thoughts went to Briana and her past history with these women. There had to be some lingering animosity towards Briana over Yvette Hunt’s fate years ago even though it was a random shooting. I wanted to be convinced it was all related and recent events shouted setup to me. Other thoughts lingered though.
Could Briana have tried to defend herself against a raving Sondra and it all went wrong? Why else the secrecy and running away?
I kneeled beside the bed after getting dressed for the night.
Lord, protect Briana wherever she may be hiding out. Only you know her heart. Give her peace in her spirit and comfort in knowing that you will be there to guide us. Lord, I don’t know where Amos is, but I know you know. I pray you wrap your arms around him and protect him too. I can’t go to bed with any animosity in my heart. Forgive me, Lord. I’m casting all my cares on you. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Amos snuck in after ten o’clock. I knew this because I heard him creep into the bedroom. I’m not sure what startled me out of my sleep. Maybe the sound of his clothes hitting the floor or the fact that he turned the light on in the bathroom. My eyes were immediately drawn to the clock by the side of my bed. I wanted to jump out of the bed and ask him what was going on, but I didn’t have the energy.
As sleep snatched my consciousness again, I thought Briana got this thing about keeping secrets from her daddy too.