The hallway.

Nothing.

The bathroom.

Nothing.

The bedroom.

Nothing.

Then I saw the back door.

It was slightly open.

My blood went cold.

The Gate Was Open

I ran outside.

The backyard was empty.

The gate was swinging slightly in the wind.

I stood there staring at it.

Frankie could barely walk.

He couldn't hear properly.

He didn't wander.

He never left the yard unless we took him somewhere.

I ran toward the gate.

Nothing.

I searched the sidewalk.

Nothing.

I called his name.

"Frankie!"

My voice cracked.

Nothing.

I ran back inside.

Diane was still sitting at the table.

She took another sip of coffee.

I stared at her.

"Where is Frankie?"

She shrugged.

"He kept following me around."

"Following you?"

"When I was bringing my suitcase inside."

"What does that mean?"

"He was underfoot."

My heart was racing.

"What did you do?"

"I put him outside."

"Outside where?"

She looked at me.

"Outside the gate."

For a second, I couldn't process the words.

"You what?"

"He needed fresh air."

"He's sixteen."

"I know."

"He can barely hear."

"Well, he seemed fine."

"He doesn't wander."

Diane sighed.

"And yet, he did."

I felt something inside me break.

Not because Frankie was missing.

Because suddenly, I knew this wasn't random.

The Children Heard Everything

Laurence looked up.

"Mommy?"

I turned toward him.

"Yes?"

"Is Frankie lost?"

I swallowed.

"No, sweetheart."

I forced my voice to remain calm.

"Mommy's going to find him."

Jillian's lower lip trembled.

"But where did he go?"

"I don't know yet."

She stood up.

"Can we find him?"

I wanted to say yes.

I wanted to tell her everything would be okay.

But I didn't know.

I looked at Diane.