Page 122 of Sing with Me

Mom patted his head.

“When is Skye coming back?” Ethan asked in between sips. “She didn’t have dinner with us.”

Diehl shrugged. “After church tomorrow—today—she’s going to visit her brother in Atlanta.”

“Atlanta? We live there too. Can we go?” Ethan put the cup of water carefully on the island.

“No. We’re going to stay right here until Elisa comes back.” Diehl polished off the last bite of cheesecake. It was delicious, but he knew he’d have to walk off about two pounds in two months. Or more.

“Are you joining Ivan’s search party?” Mom asked.

Diehl nodded. “They’re having a meeting Sunday after the evening service at Ivan’s house. I’ll go for us.”

“What exactly are they going to do?”

“Ivan has flyers. The whole church is involved, going door to door in their own neighborhoods to ask if anyone has seen Elisa. The techno-savvy high schoolers and college kids are going online to show her photo in every social media platform.”

“Twenty thousand dollars might get us a lead or two,” Mom said.

“At least.” That was Diehl’s hope. “Of course, Detective Jeong will take the calls and sift through the tips.”

“Dad?” Ethan asked.

“Yes?” Diehl rinsed out the dessert plate and fork, and put them in the dishwasher. After church, Cara would come over and add more dirty dishes and start the dishwasher.

“Take me to church, Dad.”

Diehl pointed to the clock on the wall. “We’d better go to bed if we want to make it to the church service on time.”

“What about Sunday School? I want to see my new friends.”

“Sunday School starts in eight hours.” Diehl could survive on four or five hours of sleep, but Ethan needed more sleep than that. “If we stay up all night, we won’t make it. Or we’d sleep in church.”

“That’s what happened to Elisa last week.” Ethan laughed. “She stayed up all night Saturday night, and she fell asleep in church. Do you remember, Dad?”

Of course he remembered. Elisa fell asleep even before Pastor Gonzalez began his sermon.

“What was Elisa doing staying up all night?” Diehl asked.

Ethan’s eyes widened. He pursed his lips.

“Ethan?”

“I’m not a tattletale.”

“No,” Diehl said. “We’re beyond that. If you know something that can save Elisa’s life, you need to speak up now.”

“Or your sister might die,” Mom added.

“Mom.” Diehl glared at her.

“Die? I don’t want Elisa to die.” Ethan burst into tears.

"Shhh. Mom, you’re scaring him.” Diehl reached for his son. “Ethan?”

“I didn’t mean to listen at the door, but she was talking loudly,” Ethan said.

“What did you hear?”

---