Page 121 of Delayed Penalty

“I…I don’t know,” I say, looking around the room for any other clues, something—anything—to tell me where she could have possibly gone. Other than her purse missing, there’s nothing. She’s just gone.

I walk out of the room, heading to my own, Flora’sfootsteps behind me the whole time. I pull down the blinds, looking out to the driveway and confirming my suspicion. The cherry-red VW Bug is missing too. I run my hand through my hair, pulling on the roots as I begin to pace my room, thinking of all the places she could have gone and all the reasons she could have left.

Why did she leave? Where did she go?

“Where’s Just Quinn?” Flora asks again.

“I don’t know.”

“But why would she leave without telling us? Where did she go? Did she take a suitcase? Is she coming back? Does she not love us anymore?”

“Fuck!” I throw my hands in the air. “I don’t know, Flora! Okay? I don’t know where she is!”

My niece’s eyes widen, and she takes a step back. I don’t blame her. I’ve never raised my voice at her like this before, and she doesn’t deserve for me to do it now. I’m just stressed and worried and completely fucking confused.

“I’m sorry,” I tell her, dropping my hands to my hips. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. It’s…”

She nods like she understands. “You’re worried about Just Quinn.”

“Yeah. That.” I scratch at my beard. “I don’t know why she left.”

“It was Miss Rachel.”

“Rachel?” I tip my head. “Why did she leave because of Rachel?”

“Because you’re trying to replace her.”

“What?” I scoff. “No I’m not. I’m trying to help her. We talked about her going back to school, remember? Quinn is going to need help when that happens.”

“Doessheknow that’s why Rachel was here?”

“Of course she does.”

I mean, she has to, right? I told her I’d take care of everything. Her classes are starting next month, the holidays are coming up, and my hockey schedule is about to get even more chaotic. I want to get this worked out before I’m back in the same position I was in before the season started.

“She has to know,” I mutter aloud. “I would never just replace her. Icouldnever just replace her. She knows that, right?”

Flora shrugs. “Did you tell her? Did you use your words?”

Use your words.

Isn’t that what I’m always preaching? To both Flora and to Quinn? But I didn’t use my words. I just assumed we were on the same page, assumed Quinn would know why I had Rachel stop by and why I was looking for someone to help her.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

I messed up. I messed up big-time, and I need to fix it—now. I run my hand through my beard again, trying to think of places Quinn could have run away to, but there are too many.

“Come on,” I say, marching past Flora.

“Where are we going?” she asks, hot on my heels.

“To find Quinn.”

“And tell her you love her?”

I stop, turning. “What?”

“You love her.” She wrinkles her nose. “Don’t you?”

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