"Look, I held off calling you as long as I could. I really think you need to come home. It's about Wade."

"Lavon, I've told you I can't deal with all of that right now."

"Zoe, he's gone. Nobody knows where he is."

I paused, confused by that statement. "So?"

"He left the reception early and he hasn't been back to the gatehouse since. It looks like he stopped by there that same night, but other than that, no sign of him. George was telling me about what happened before they left the bar in Mobile and… Well… nothing can justify what he did, but you still might want to hear it."

I hesitated. It was hard enough knowing about it even happening, much less think about it in any other light. Anger was my only defense and removing that seemed risky. "…Is George there?"

"He's right here. I'll put him on."

There was a shuffling noise and then George's voice. "Zoe, you've gotta know that I hate what happened, and I thought for sure I was mistaken when they left."

"George. What happened?"

"I don't know what caused it, but he got started way before the battle got rolling and it was bad by the time they got up to perform. Afterwards he started telling me that…"

"Wait, so he fired you and then you guys were just buddies again?"

"He was pretty out of it. I came up to him and apologized for what happened with us and the night. The point is, he started telling me how he didn't know why he tried – at anything. Started rambling on about the band and the bar and you and all these things he oughta be, but screwed up every time. Said he was a deadbeat and tired of people believing in him because it was a waste of time. It sounded like something must have happened beforehand?"

"No, I mean we fought, but I made it up to him. Even gave him a… sign…" Now that I was thinking about it, he did act really oddly when I gave it to him. Everything was fine until I revealed it. I thought he was just touched, but in hindsight maybe there was more.

"What are you talking about?"

"I gave him a sign, George. For his bar, you know? Told him how much I believed in him reaching his dreams and all that. It was a big gesture on my part – backing him fully. Are you saying he freaked out because of that? Even if that's it, he probably just needs some time alone."

"Zoe, I'm talking about why he cheated in the first place, not that you need to see that necessarily. My point is that he did it to push you away. To speed the inevitable, but it was a mistake and we both know he sees that. Even I can see that."

Another quick shuffle and then Lavon's deeper voice resounded through the connection, "Maybe you're too far on the inside to see this, but Wade loves you. He loves you and he lost you. Now, he thinks he's not good enough for somebody like you and that's why he did it. I don't care if you accept that or not, but you have to know it right now. It's been almost two days and nobody's even seen his car. Being honest, I don't know what he's doing and it has me really worried."

"Zoe," Lavon said, hesitating for my sake, "That gun of his, did he ever find somebody to buy it?"

I froze, unable to comprehend what he was suggesting. My brain was devoid of any answer. I tried to process memories from that last week for any mention of it, but nothing came to mind. This couldn't be happening. I knew he was having a hard time with my reaction, but it didn't seem nearly this big…

"Zoe!" He said again, drawing me back.

"I… I don't know. I don't think he mentioned anything about that… and I didn't see a car, but that doesn't mean anything, right?" All the sudden panic was rising in my chest. I couldn't be here another minute. "Lavon, I'm coming. Even if I have to bribe a taxi from Mobile, I'll be there. Holy…"

"I'll have Lemon or AnnaBeth come get you. Just text me when you'll land."

"Okay" I said, voice shaking now. My hands were already digging through drawers and gathering the few things I'd brought with me. Stuffing them into my bag, I called the airlines and found a flight into the area that left in an hour. I booked it as I rushed into the bathroom to gather the things I'd left there before grabbing my purse from the counter.

"Where are you going in such a rush?" My mother asked abruptly from the couch.

"I have to get back to Bluebell," I rushed, "I can't explain now, it's too much, but my flight leaves in an hour and I can't miss it. Oh my gosh, I can't even breathe…"

Worried, she stood up. "Look, I'll take you. It's faster that way. You really ought to sit down for a minute and relax. Is it one of your patients? It everything alright?"

"Thank you!" I gasped as she grabbed the keys and led me down to the garage. "Yeah sort of. I don't know… I just really need to be there."

"Oh my gosh… No no no no." I was gasping as I fell down on my knees beside him. I thought finding him propped up against a tree was a blessing, but he was completely unresponsive. "Lavon!" I screamed, trying to find a pulse in his wrist, but my own heart was pounding too hard to feel anything but my own hands shaking. "No… no no no no no…." helpless panic flooded down my face and I found myself completely useless.

Lavon came crashing through the trees and dropped down beside me. He reached up and felt his forehead. "No gun, plenty of bottles though. We've got to get him out of here."

"I can't even…"

"It's okay, Zoe. I need you to help me get him up."

I nodded mutely, all control over the tears lost. I helped Lavon hoist him over his shoulder and followed him helplessly as we started back through the woods.