Having her around for another day was depressing. Whenever she wasn’t tending to Mother, she’d be watching me with those suspicious eyes. Suddenly, my miraculously getting the strength I needed to return to school seemed like a good idea.
“I’m thinking of returning to school tomorrow, Daddy,” I said.
“I think that’s a good idea. There isn’t much you can do here, and the moment I get any information about Kaylee, I’ll contact you.”
“Promise?”
“Absolutely,” he said. “Probably before I tell your mother.” He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek as he passed by with Mother’s breakfast tray. “Eat something substantial,” he called back.
“I will.”
I toasted a slice of bread and smeared it with jelly. As I sat there eating, I thought about what I would be wearing when Ryan arrived later. I was surprised at the sound of the front door opening and realized that Daddy must have given Mrs. Lofter a key to our house. Was I better off with her here snooping around or with Mother recovered enough to no longer need her?
Mrs. Lofter mistook my angry musing for depression and sadness. I saw the look on her face when she stepped into the kitchen carrying her small suitcase. “How are things?” she asked.
“No different from the moment you left.”
She nodded. “Your father is upstairs?”
“He just took Mother her breakfast.”
“Listen, Haylee, I don’t want to tell you what to do and what not to do, but in my experience with situations that were somewhat similar for other reasons, it became best for the young people to try to get on with their lives until things sorted themselves out. You might not think she realizes it, but your mother senses your sadness and that affects how hard she’s taking it, too.”
“You want me out of the house?”
“It’s not that I want you out of the house, no. I want you to try to get into a normal routine. And I know how difficult that will be,” she quickly added.
Normal routine, I thought. If she had any idea what our normal routine was, she would never even think to suggest it.
I sighed as if she had placed a heavy burden on me, on top of all that I was already carrying.
“I suppose you’re right,” I said. “I’m thinking of inviting someone over after school. He can bring me my homework and tell me what’s been going on.”
She widened her eyes a little. “Oh, you have a steady boyfriend?”
“No,” I said, perhaps too sharply. “He’s not a steady boyfriend. I think that’s juvenile.”
“Oh?”
“Girls who settle on one boy, swear to be loyal or something, are insecure. It’s easy and comfortable.”
“I see. Well, that’s certainly another way to look at it,” she said. I thought she was close to laughing at me.
We heard Daddy on the stairs.
“Whatever,” she said. “If it helps you get back into things and keep your mind off all this trouble.”
Thanks for your unwanted approval, I thought, and took my cup and dish to the sink.
She went to meet and talk to Daddy. I saw them turn and head for his old office-den. Secret talks, I thought, and started up to my room.
“Who’s that?” I heard Mother call when I drew close to her bedroom door.
I paused, thinking. I checked the stairway, listening for Mrs. Lofter or Daddy, and then I went into Mother’s bedroom. She was sitting up in bed, her breakfast tray on the bed table Daddy had set up for her.
“Good morning, Mother,” I said.
She started to smile and then stopped. “Where’s Kaylee?”