I shut my eyes, overwhelmed with relief and anger.
“You let us spend the entire night looking for you.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Frank’s bringing you home. Now.”
I immediately contacted Denise so she could collect Cole, then informed the police that both teenagers had been found safely.
***
At 4:37 a.m., I heard a key turn in the front door. Nathan came in by himself.
“Where have you been?! Do you have any idea what you’ve put us through?!”
“Mom, I…”
“Don’t you dare lie to me, Nathan! Two months! Where have you been spending your nights?! Have you been with Frank?”
He lifted his head. Only then did I notice how miserable he looked. His eyelids were puffy from crying, and sawdust was caught in his hair. Later, I learned he’d cried when Frank said their secret was over.
But the jacket on his shoulders left me gripping the doorframe. It was Michael’s old brown work jacket, complete with the torn pocket. I hadn’t seen it since my husband died.
