Page 129 of Fish out of Water
My cell started to ring from where it sat on my bedside table. I practically dove for it, grabbing it up and immediately swiping across where the screen displayed Julia’s name.
“Hey.” I wasn’t interested in playing it cool. Didn’t care if I sounded too eager.
Too interested.
I was both of those things when Julia was concerned.
“Grant?” The voice on the other end was familiar.
But it wasn’t Julia’s.
“Collette?” A chill snaked down my spine. “Where’s Julia?”
“That’s what I was trying to find out. She’s not with you?”
I turned toward my mother. “She’s not with me.” I forced myself to swallow past the tightening in my throat. “Are you sure she’s not there? Maybe in the shower?”
“I checked everywhere. Her purse and keys and phone are here, but they’re gone.”
“They?”
“Sylvia’s gone too.”
I was already moving, grabbing socks and shoes before rushing out of my room. “How long have they been gone?”
“I don’t know. I fell asleep as soon as we got here and they were gone when I woke up a few minutes ago.” Collette’s voice wavered. “They’re okay though, right?”
“Everything will be fine.” I grabbed my keys and rushed through the garage door my mother held open. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”
I disconnected the call, punching the button to lift the door as I passed.
“What did she know?” My mother was already getting in my car.
“Not much.” I started the engine and backed out. “Doesn’t know how long they’ve been gone.”
“Maybe they went out to get breakfast.” My mother sat calmly in her seat, purse on her lap.
For the first time I understood why people were scared of her.
She appeared absolutely unbothered by the entire situation even though I knew she was very bothered by it.
I pulled into the lot at Sweet Side Apartments just over the five-minute promise I’d made Collette, and pulled into a front parking place. My mother slid from her seat, looking like a woman out for a day of shopping in a pair of fire-engine red pants and a black and white polka dot shirt. Her hair was smooth and shiny, and her makeup was impeccable.
You’d never know what she was capable of by looking at her.
The narrow heels of her pumps clicked up the steps as we rushed to Julia’s apartment.
“How do you know where Julia lives?” I chased after her.
“She told me.” My mother’s eyes never stopped moving as she strode to the brand-new door. “How terrible of a future mother-in-law would I be if I didn’t remember where the girl my son adores lives?” Her head tipped so she could peer at me over the top of her dark sunglasses. “For now.”
“As long as we find her.” The pit in my stomach grew, deepening until it cut through me.
My mother rolled her eyes. “Being with your grandmother almost assures she will be dumped somewhere. They won’t be able to stand it.” She reached out to snap her knuckles against the door.
Collette barely opened it, peeking out at us through the crack. The door closed again and she slid the safety chain off.
When the door opened again my mother went straight in. “What happened?”
