Page 48 of Sweeter than Honey

I go to her office door, and knock twice. But there’s no answer.

“Ms. Espina?” I say, pressing my finger print to the keypad and to open the door just a crack.

Her office is dark, and empty. That’s strange. Maybe she canceled her donor because something else came up.

I sit back down at my desk, and pick up my cellphone.

There are at least twenty voicemails, all from Dylan. With a frustrated sigh, I scroll through the transcripts.

Lily, I have a right to see my son, and you’re keeping him from me…

If you had never gotten this job, we would still be together…

You’re never going to find anyone who will put up with you…

But then there’s a message from another caller. One I must have missed.

Ms. Harper, this is the Respite hotel daycare center. We have your son here, and nobody has come to pick him up…

“Oh my god!” I shout, reading through the message. Immediately, I find my mother’s contact and I call her.

It feels like an eternity before she picks up. “Yes, Lily?”

“Mom!” I shout. “Did you pick up Eli from daycare?”

“From…what, honey?”

“Daycare. You were supposed to pick him up from daycare tonight, and take him back to the suite.”

“Oh, was that tonight, Lily?”

“Yes, mom, that was tonight!”

Furious, I hang up the call, and call the daycare back. But it goes to voicemail. I call again. Voicemail again.

Panic mounts in my chest. The worst feeling any parent can experience - not knowing where your child is.

I get up from the desk and sprint down the office hall. I have to go to the daycare. Hehasto still be there.

As I run past the reception desk, the receptionist calls out to me. “Lily! They dropped off your son here, at your desk.”

“They…they did?” I look around frantically. “Where is he?”

“Well…” the receptionist frowns. “He was waiting for you at your desk and…Ms. Espina found him.”

My stomach drops. “Where are they now?”

“I don’t know.”

I exhale.At least he’s safe. But I’m definitely inbigtrouble. I turn around and ram my finger into the elevator button. “Thanks!” I shout to the receptionist, before boarding the elevator.

My claustrophobia doesn’t help the increasing panic rising in my chest. I’m not going to be able to relax until I see Eli. Even if I’m in trouble, at least he’s all right. That’s the important thing. I can’tbelievemy mother didn’t pick him up, but I shouldn’t be surprised. If I confront her about it, I’m sure she’ll just lecture me about how mothers should stay at home and families should have two parents. I think about the voicemails on my phone from Dylan, and frustration mixes with my anxiety. But I can’t think about that right now. One thing at a time.

I get off the elevator on the residential floor and race down the hallway to my suite. It’s still weird to think of it asmysuite. Especially because it already came fully furnished, and there was no way I was going to replace the new, suede functional with my own worn, hand-me-down couch, so the hotel staff offered to store my furniture for me. The beautiful furniture really makes it feel like I’m living in a fancy hotel room.

I quickly let myself in. There’s nobody in the living room or kitchen, so I hurry up the stairs to Eli’s room. I swing the door open, breathing heavily.

I’m not prepared for what I find.