The only person in the stands who wasn’t cheering was Willow’s mom. She stood impassively, with her hands in her jacket, those hideous sunglasses covering half of her skeletal face. It felt like she was staring directly at me, and so I looked away and tried to act happy, but for some reason, I felt nothing but dread. With the softball season now over, I had to face all my issues.
For the first time since Dakota had gone missing, a shroud of darkness dropped over me.
I now know that Willow is somewhere out there and alive, waiting for me to save her. Knowing this, I realize I can’t stay in this dark room much longer and pretend to act all scared and confused. I need to know what happened that night. I simply can’t lie here and wait for my memory to spit out answers. But what to do? She said she’d message me when the time was right. I have no option but to wait. But I don’t want to wait. I want to go to her. To save her. When she calls for me, I will be ready. I will help my friend out of this mess, whatever this mess happens to be.
I only hope that my mother will forgive me to the extent that God will. Because I was taught to believe that God forgives all people who ask for His forgiveness.
ISLA
THE DOOR TO THE BRIGGSES’ HOUSE OPENED, AND ISLA SAW GIL standing before her in a blue sweat suit and pointing a camera in her face. What the hell was this? She made her way inside the dimly lit mansion, embarrassed and feeling self-conscious at being filmed. After a few moments, Gil went into the kitchen and placed the camera down on the granite island and began to sob into his hands. She followed him in stunned silence, unsure of what to say or do.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what else to do but get behind the camera and film everything around me. If Willow were here right now, it’s what she’d want me to do.”
“It’s okay, Gil.”
“I can’t believe she’s gone. I’m so devastated. She means everything to me, the best daughter a father could ever have.”
Did Gil also realize he had a grieving wife upstairs?
“She would want me to keep filming and making art.”
Art?
He went on. “I truly believe she’s out there and waiting for me. Waiting to come home and be the star everyone knows she’ll one day become.”
“They’ll find her. I’m sure of it.”
“Yes, I believe you’re right. I have to believe that, or else I’ll have no reason to live.” He wiped his eyes. “I’m sorry. I’ll go get Felicia for you.”
She placed her bag down on the kitchen island and circled the living room. She hadn’t before noticed the abstract art hanging on the wall or the colorful giant glass sculptures hanging from one section of the ceiling. There was so much to take in. One piece of glass sat on a side table. Blue inside and with speckled brown streaks in the outer layer, it looked like an exotic clamshell from outer space. She gently lifted it up and saw the word Chihuly etched in the bottom.
Footsteps came up behind her. She turned and saw Gil pushing a wheelchair out of the hallway. Felicia sat slumped in the chair, her slender hands resting on her knees. She looked old and worn down. Despite the dimness of the room, she still wore those hideous sunglasses. Gil kissed the top of her head and announced that he was retiring for the night, then headed upstairs.
“Thank you for coming over,” Felicia said.
“It’s my pleasure. However, I’m afraid I won’t be able to wash your hair while you’re in that chair.”
“I’m weak but not an invalid.” She pushed herself off the wheelchair, headed into the kitchen, Isla on her heels, and walked over to the massive stainless-steel sink. “Will this do?”
“Yes. Thank you. I moved a dining room chair next to the kitchen island so I can access the outlet.”
“That should work,” Felicia said, as if she was doing Isla a big favor.
“How are you holding up?”
“Dreadful.” She removed her sunglasses, and Isla instantly recognized fragments of that beautiful girl from Lost ‘n’ You. “Do you want me to just lower my head into the sink?”
“Yes, and then I’ll shampoo your hair and add conditioner before blowing it out.” Isla grabbed her phone and secretly clicked on the recording app. For what