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“No, why would she do that? I don’t… I just want to make sure. Should I go to her house?”
“Let me try calling her.”
I pull out my phone and dial Violet’s number, my heart pounding as the line rings. It goes to voicemail after a few rings. I try again, but the result is the same.
Now, I’m starting to worry, really worry.
“She’s not picking up,” I say, looking back at Hannah. “Maybe she just needs some time alone. She’s been... stressed lately.”
Hannah shakes her head. “This isn’t like her, Jay. Something’s wrong. Look, maybe I can’t explain it so that it makes sense to you, but I’m her best friend. We have a connection. If I say something’s wrong, then it is.”
I make a quick decision then. “I’ll go check her place”
“Let me come with you.”
“No, I want you to get home to Charlie. Stay with him and let this storm pass. I’ll text you when I know something.”
“But—”
Hannah may be fully-grown, but she’s still my little sister.
I stride across The Rusty Oak to Fiona. “Can you manage here for a bit, Fiona? Something’s… happened. I’ll be back soon.”
Fiona nods, her expression serious. “Go. We’ll hold down the fort. I may not be able to make a Dark ‘n’ Stormy the same way you do, but I’ll do my best.”
I grab my jacket and head out into the storm, the rain pounding against me as I hurry toward my car. My mind is racing, and I don’t like any of the scenarios it comes up with.
CHAPTER 24
VIOLET
Ijust need a chance to be by myself. I haven’t had a moment to myself since I’ve come back home. If I’m not with my mom, I’m working or I’m with Hannah.
And I think if I just have a few minutes to breathe, then I might be able to get things straight in my head.
I grip the steering wheel tightly. Rain is starting to fall, but the droplets are fat and slow. I still have a forty-minute drive in front of me before I reach the lake.
Lake Ernest was one of my favorite hangouts when I was a teenager. I used to go here at least every week during the summers between my high school years. I rode my bike until I was old enough to drive, and when I arrived, my legs would be burning with the exertion it had taken to get here.
I slow down a little bit as the fat drops become smaller, faster ones. They’re more like bullets now. I speed up my windshield wipers until they’re whipping back and forth in a frenzy. I’m so busy trying to stay on the road that I almost miss the turn off.
Swearing, I slam on the breaks, and my car swerves a little bit.
Luckily, the road is empty of traffic, and there’s no one in the oncoming lane. I take a couple of deep breaths as I try to slow my heart rate.
Then, I turn left and take my pick of the parking spots. It’s a small lot with only enough room for eight or ten cars. A dirt trail leads through the woods to the lake itself.
I glance at my phone and see that Hannah has called, but I don’t want to talk to anyone right now, not even my best friend.
I silence my cell phone, set it in the cupholder, and step out of the car.
The rain has slowed down a little bit, but it still bites into my skin. I close my eyes and let it soak into me until my sweater is clinging to me. It’s a warm rain, and even though there is a breeze, it still feels warmer than it has in days. Still, I know I’ll probably be shivering soon.
It only takes a couple of minutes of walking down the trail to reach the lake.
By the time I’m there, I can see how the weather has stirred up the lake. Waves are beating against the shore as the wind drives it angrily against the pine needles. There is no lake life out for a swim. Every animal that lives here is in hiding. This lake is a lot less friendly than the lake I remember as a kid.
Still, there is something comforting about sitting at the same bench I sat at when I was a teen.
