Page 92 of Changing Lanes

“Andi, I have an errand before we go home. Daddy said he was running late, and Gamma won’t be home until late. So, we’ll walk up the street and then make something nice for dinner. How’s that sound?” I question her.

She smiles. “Sounds great. Thank you for the ice cream.”

I kiss her on top of the head. “You’re welcome. Ready?” She nods. We throw our trash away, walking out the door.

I take her hand as we stroll down the sidewalk, window shopping as we go. I can hardly wait to get to the jewelry store. I ordered Andi a necklace for her birthday, a sea turtle similar to the one Brannon bought me for Christmas years ago. I also asked them to fix mine.

Brannon has no idea I still have it, and I was thrilled to find Andi one so close to it. I think it’ll be a wonderful gift for a ten-year-old girl. I can’t wait to wear mine again. We enter the jewelry store, still holding hands.

“Hello, can I help you?” A tall redhead stands behind the counter, smiling. She’s the same sales person that helped me when I placed the order. “Hi, Rachel. I’m Torrie.” Andi pulls at my hand as she scans the store. “Do you want to look around?” I ask, getting a nod for an answer. “Don’t leave the store or my eyesight. Stay where I can see you, please.”

“Yes, Momma Torrie.” Her fingers leave mine, and I turn my attention back to the sales person.

“Here it is,” Rachel says.

“Oh, yes. It’s perfect. The same blues and greens, I love that it’s two sea turtles also.” I admire the necklace, turning to see Andi browsing another showcase.

“I’ll just ring it up and the repair cost with it,” Rachel tells me.

“Sounds good. Thank you.” Looking over at Andi, she scans the diamonds. Good girl, pick the big ones. Smiling to myself about my joke.

“Here you go, I hope you all enjoy them for years to come. I just loved the story about yours, all these years later. True love.” She almost swoons.

“Thank you. I couldn’t be happier.” Beaming, I accept my package.

Turning for Andi, she isn’t at the showcase anymore. I scan the room, but I don’t see her. I look again, nothing. “Andi?” I call out. “Andi?” Nothing. “Do you see the little girl I walked in with?” I ask Rachel.

She comes out from behind the counter as I rush around the store. “She was by the big showcase. Tina, do you see a little girl, brown hair? Or where she went?” Rachel asks her co-worker.

I don’t wait, bounding out the door to the sidewalk, I scream, “ANDI.” Turning from side to side, I continue to yell her name. “ANDI. ANDI. ANDI.” Oh, my God. “ANDI.”

Rachel follows me out the door. “How can I help?”

I spin in a circle as tears begin to fall, and I do what I think’s best. “Call the police. I’m going from store to store to asks the clerks if they’ve seen her.” She nods, and I begin running down the street.

I don’t even enter the stores, I stand with the door open and yelling for Andi and hoping to see her. I notice Rachel at the other end, doing the same thing. I hear the sirens as people gather from our screaming.

Tears cover my face as the police pull up, and I’m still screaming her name. “ANDI.” I fall to my knees as they approach me, Rachel by my side.

“Ma’am, how can we help?” the officer asks.

“My boyfriend’s little girl is missing. She’s nine-years-old. Chestnut brown wavy hair lay in the middle of her back. Hazel eyes. She’s four and a half feet. About sixty pounds. She was wearing navy blue capris with a white tee shirt. It had little blue flowers in various shades on it around the collar. Her name is Andi Jo O’Hurley. Please, help me find her. Oh God, I need to call Brannon.” I search for my phone, digging it from my purse.

“Ma’am?” The officer draws my attention.

“What?” I yell, tears falling rapidly.

“What’s your name?” he asks.

“Torrence Harrington,” I rasp out, my voice already turning hoarse from yelling. I dial Brannon’s number, it begins ringing. I’m shaking badly, the officer takes my phone as Rachel puts her arms around me.

“Hey, Brannon. It’s Officer Rick O’Neal. I have Torrence Harrington here. I don’t mean to alarm you, but Andi’s missing.” He pauses briefly, listening to a very panicked Brannon. “We’re not sure, looks like ten, fifteen minutes. Torrence called immediately and went door to door at the shops. We’re going to issue an ‘Amber Alert’.” He pauses. “Try to remain calm, it may be nothing. She could be curled up asleep in a store or car.”

Jumping up from the ground, I run as fast as I can to my car. Yanking the doors open, I scream as I search for her. “ANDI. ANDI.” Still, nothing. I hear the officer behind me.

“She’s looking in her car. Man, I think we may have to sedate her. She’s going to have a nervous breakdown. I’ll tell her. Please be careful.” Officer O’Neal hands me my phone as I slide down my car door to the ground. My hands in my hair.

“I need to call Joyce, Brannon’s mom.” I start to dial the number but freeze. I call Hardy, instead.

Within minutes, Hardy’s by my side. While I waited, the officer called Joyce. It may have been for the best, I couldn’t talk for crying. Hardy helps me into his truck, handing me my bags and my purse. The police keep my keys, I guess to check out my story.

I cry all the way to the farm, I’m inconsolable. Hardy tries everything until Thayer and Lea arrive. Hardy follows the officer’s advice and calls a paramedic for me. Officer O’Neal explains he’ll remain with us until we find Andi, it’s protocol apparently.

I think they believe I hurt her. I did, I lost her. I tell the story, over and over. Notes are taken by the town police, county and state as they arrive. The Amber Alert scrolls across the television screen, making this nightmare all too real. The paramedics arrive, but I refuse anything.

I sit on the floor, my arms wrapped around me, rocking as I cry. I’m no better than my father. I’m no different than Ava. I couldn’t take care of my own child. Why did I ever think I could do this? It’s my fault. I’m the worst person. I’m no good for anyone, not even myself. I’ve hurt Brannon beyond repair this time, he’ll never forgive me. My soul fills with disdain for myself, despair covers me. I’m not worthy of his love. I most definitely should never have a child.

I killed one, and the other, I may have gotten killed.