Page 82 of Inside Silence

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Just checking in. I’m taking Tate to the fest for a deep-fried dinner. ;)

Feel free to join us if you have time.

* * *

I don’t have to wait long for a response.

* * *

Sounds wholesome. I’m just heading back to the office to finish up something, but I can try to meet you guys a little later. Where are you going to be?

* * *

From what I remember, they usually have some kind of entertainment. If they’re any good, maybe we can listen for a while.

* * *

We’ll be hanging out around the bandstand.

* * *

She sends me a thumbs-up emoticon in response, and I tuck my phone in my pocket.

My laptop is still sitting open on the dining room table and I take one last look at my designs, making sure I have them saved before I shut down the computer and tuck it out of sight in the drawer of the TV stand. I’m excited to show Savannah, but when she has time to sit down with me so I can explain what I envision.

Shit, ten to six and still no Tate. She’s cutting it close to the deadline I gave her this morning. I shoot her a text.

* * *

Ten-minute warning, kiddo. You’d better be on your way home.

* * *

To kill time, I turn the TV on and find my favorite news channel to get the latest updates on the state of the world. As per usual, it’s pretty depressing, but I get caught up in a lively discussion around climate change. It’s a subject that interests me. In my recent years building in the Nevada heat, I started introducing more and more alternative energy sources and maximizing the use of environmentally friendly materials where possible. Hell, I even looked at an electric vehicle but, aside from the ridiculous price tag and the limited availability in heavy duty pickups, there simply isn’t enough infrastructure yet to support those vehicles. I’ve only seen a few charging stations here in Silence, and once you get out of town…good luck finding any.

At the next commercial break, I try calling my daughter’s cell, but I’m bumped straight to her voicemail. I send another message.

* * *

You’re officially ten minutes late. Call me, now.

* * *

At six thirty I’m too restless to watch any more TV, so I turn it off. Then I dial the Battaglias. Maggie answers right away.

“Hey, Maggie. Is my daughter there by chance?”

“No. She was hanging out with Naomi this morning, and they were supposed to have a dance practice this afternoon. Naomi wasn’t feeling well, so she was dropped off at home, but as far as I know, the other kids were heading to the church hall. Was she supposed to be home?”

“Yeah. Six at the latest. I think I’m gonna head out and have a look at the church, see if maybe they’re running late.”

“Yeah, that’s always possible. Let me quickly check with Naomi to see if she’s been in touch with her this afternoon at all.”

A couple of minutes later she’s back. “No, she hasn’t. She just tried calling her but it goes straight to voicemail.”

“For me too. Okay, I’m heading out. Let me know if she happens to show up there or gets in touch with Naomi.”