Page 283 of Champagne Nights

“I know you do. I’ve wanted it for her for so many years. When she had the first implant, it was such a struggle. She became a depressed and withdrawn child. But the moment that implant malfunctioned and the doctors removed it, she was back to her old self. It doesn’t matter what we want, Henry. We can’t let our wants be for our own selfish reasons. It’s what Ellie wants that truly matters.”

“I know that, Dani. I feel like such an asshole for even bringing it up.”

“Well, you’re not. You were expressing your feelings, and she expressed hers. You can’t fight her on this matter. So, you either surrender, or you’ll possibly lose her.”

“I need to know where she went.”

“Check with Joni and Pete. Maybe she went over there.”

“Thanks. I will.” I kissed her cheek.

After checking with Joni, I found out she wasn’t there, and panic settled inside me. Where the hell did she go? As I sat in the back of the limo, I called Addison.

“Hey, big bro. What’s up?”

“Hey, sis. You haven’t, by chance, heard from Ellie, have you?”

“Uh, no. Why? Did something happen?”

“We got into an argument last night, and she took off.”

“Nice, Henry. What the hell did you do?”

“It’s complicated, and I need to find her. She said she was going to her mom’s apartment, and she did. But Dani said when she woke up this morning, Ellie and her suitcase were gone.”

“My guess is she probably hopped on a plane and headed to Malibu to get away from your dumb ass.”

“Shit. I didn’t even think about Malibu. Do you think she would actually do that? She didn’t pack much.”

“Don’t the two of you keep a closet full of clothes there?”

“Yeah, we do. We keep just about everything there.”

“This sounds pretty serious if she got on a plane after an argument. What was it about?”

“I asked her if she ever thought about getting a cochlear implant.”

“Nice, Henry. Now you’re trying to change who she is?”

I could sense the attitude in her tone, and I wasn’t in the mood.

“No, Addison. I’m not. It was a question which escalated into a huge fight.”

“Well, you better find her and make things right. Listen, I love you and everything, but I’m on my way to class for a mid-term. Keep me updated.”

“I will. Thanks, sis.”

After ending the call, I thought about how my parents had been in California for the past two weeks, vacationing with some friends of theirs. Bringing up my contact list, I gave my father a call.

“Hello, son.”

“Hey, Dad. I need you to do me a huge favor.”

“What do you need?”

“Can you go over to my house in Malibu and see if Ellie is there? It’s only about an hour's drive from where you’re at.”

“I know where Malibu is, son. What happened?”

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