“Has Nathan been acting strange?”
I remembered his Sunday exhaustion, long showers, and evasive answers.
“I thought he was just growing up.”
“Me too,” Denise whispered. “Cole’s been so secretive.”
I reached across the table and squeezed her hand.
“We’ll find them.”
Yet I couldn’t stop wondering how much of Nathan’s life I truly understood.
***
At 4:06 in the morning, Frank finally called.
“Where’s Nathan?” I demanded.
“They’re both here. Safe. My phone was charging in the workshop. I only saw your messages when I woke up.”
“Put Nathan on.”
“Laura, let me explain.”
“After I speak to my son, Frank.”
Seconds passed before Nathan took the phone.
“Mom?”
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“Is Cole all right?”
“Yes.”
“Then why haven’t you answered your phone?”
He paused before admitting what had happened.
“We saw your messages. We were scared to answer. Grandpa didn’t know we’d turned our phones off after that.”
