Page 116 of Capturing You

“I’ll check in with you this afternoon.”

At the doctor’s nod, he swiveled and marched back to the lobby, praying Brooklynn was still in the building. But she wasn’t in any of the sitting areas.

When he stepped into the foyer, the wig saleswoman was dragging a plastic case toward the door. He hurried forward and pulled it open for her.

“Thank you.”

“Did you see my friend? About my age wearing yoga pants and?—”

“Oh, yes. Darling girl. She bought the prettiest silver wig. Straight hair cut into a bob”—she brushed a hand just above her shoulder—“with a full crown.” Now, the woman gestured over the top of her head, maybe in case he didn’t know where a wig was worn. “She said it was for her mother.”

They both moved into the reception area. He let the door close and crossed the space to open the exterior door. “Did you see where she went?”

Before the saleslady could answer, the receptionist said, “She left in an Uber.”

“Did she say where she was going?”

“Sorry.” Cheri looked genuinely distressed that she couldn’t help. “She didn’t say.”

Of course not.

“Thanks.” He followed the saleslady out and jogged to his pickup.

But he had no idea where to go. Where to look.

He closed his eyes and prayed for direction. Maybe this time, God would answer.

When he opened his eyes, he had one idea, and it wouldn’t work. But what did he have to lose?

He dialed Brooklynn’s number, thankful he’d taken it down days before.

She rejected the call.

He dialed again.

Rejected.

Anger and frustration had him balling his hands. Rather than calling again, he tapped a text.

I was going to tell you today.

He stared at his screen. The message went fromDeliveredtoRead.

And then the dots flashed, telling him she was responding.

How is she?

Tired. They said episodes like that aren’t unheard of with concussion victims, especially at her age.

Brooklynn’s only reaction was a thumbs-up.

No other response came through.

I needed to talk to her about you. I made her promises.

This time, his text wasn’t even marked as read.

He added one more line.