outside and over to the bike racks.
Dwight waited for him to unlock the chain on his bike, then hoisted it on his shoulder.
“Cold as it is, I’m surprised Mother let you ride off without them.”
Normally, Dwight never spoke critically of Jonna to Cal, not wanting to try the child’s loyalties, but there was that bombshell from Mrs. Shay. As they walked over to visitor parking, he said, “Nana told me that she didn’t sit with you while your mother was out last night.”
Cal’s stricken look was all he needed. Dwight put the bike in the back of his truck and stooped to sit on his haunches at eye level with his son.
“This is serious, buddy. Why did you tell me Nana was with you last night?”
Cal’s eyes dropped. “Because I knew you’d be mad if I said I was home by myself.”
The final bell must have rung, because children began to stream from the building, some fighting against the strong gusts as they hurried for the buses, others pushed along toward the bicycle racks.
Dwight unlocked the truck, helped Cal take off his backpack and fasten the seat belt, then went around and got in the driver’s side. He put the key in the ignition and started the engine so as to warm up the frigid cab. The wind had turned Cal’s ears as red as his cheeks, and he held his small hands over the vent to let them thaw as he looked apprehensively at his father’s stony face.
A cold fury was building in Dwight’s head, but he tried to keep his tone mild. “Was she still gone when you got up this morning?”
Cal nodded mutely.
“Well, what did she say when she left last night?”
Cal’s lip quivered and his eyes began to fill with tears.
“She wasn’t there last night.”
“Not at all? Not when you got home from school?”
“No, sir,” he whispered, half fearfully.
“Son, I’m not mad at you. I’m just trying to understand.”
Tears spilled down Cal’s cheeks.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” Dwight said.
He unsnapped the seat belt and pulled the child close and let him cry out all his fear and bewilderment. Be-4 tween sobs, Cal told Dwight that he had not seen Jonna since she dropped him off at school the morning before.
Thursday morning.
And this was Friday.
“I didn’t tell the truth last night because I was scared you’d get mad if I told you Mother wasn’t here. I tried to call Nana, but she wasn’t home either.”
“You did right to call me, and you don’t ever have to be afraid to tell me anything.”
“But Mother said—”
He broke off.
“Mother said what?”
“That I wasn’t going to see you as much now that you married Miss Deborah. She said you’d probably have new babies and forget about me.”
Once again, his brown eyes filled, and Dwight took that small face between his big hands. “Look at me, Cal.
Have I ever lied to you?”
“No, sir.”
“I never have. I never will. So listen up. You’re my son.
You’ll always be my son and I’ll always love you. I could have a dozen more children and none of them would ever take your place or make me love you less. You got that?”
The boy gave a tremulous smile. “Yessir.”
“Good. Now tell me everything you can remember about yesterday.”
From Cal’s viewpoint, Thursday had begun as a normal day. Jonna had already shoveled the front steps and walk by the time he got up and they both ate bacon and pecan waffles for breakfast. Afterwards, she had driven him to school since Wednesday night’s snowfall had left the sidewalks too blocked for his bike. That was the last time he had seen her.
“Did she seem worried or upset?”
Again Cal shook his head.
“Okay, buddy, here’s what we’re going do,” Dwight said decisively. “First we’re going to go talk to Jimmy Radcliff’s dad. See if he knows anything. Maybe she slid off the road in the snow and forgot to charge her cell phone before she went out. Then we’re going to pack your suitcase and you’re coming home with me today.”
Cal gave him a relieved hug, settled back in his seat, and clicked his seat belt. “Could Bandit come, too?”
