SECOND PART
The next days were a blur for Jeannie as she and Mike together planned Steve's funeral. There were times she seemed in a semi catatonic state. Only hers and Steve's children seemed to be able to pull her from that state. The pain the four of them shared was excruciating for each one. Mike felt afraid that if it weren't for the kids he would lose Jeannie completely.
Once they got through the funeral Jeannie and the kids got away for a few days with Mike to try to start making a semblance of picking up the pieces of their life. They did their best to make sure the kids had a little bit of fun before they had to go back to school. There were times though they knew the charade was not working. Mikey was so much like his father and thought he could handle everything himself. Kim who had a drawing talent expressed her hurt at their loss through pictures that prominently featured her father.
"Mike, was the second car an accident or on purpose like the first car?"
"It was an accident. The driver was very upset they could not stop in time. Last I heard he was still under a doctor's care. The other driver was caught and will stand trial soon."
"There are so many what ifs when someone leaves you too soon. I don't think Mikey is going to have an easy life due to this. He is so much like Steve in thinking he can handle everything, I guess we all are in a way."
"Yes, I have noticed that even you have become like Steve was sweetheart. I have to admit I am worrying about the three of you trying to deal with this alone."
"We aren't alone, Mike. We have you and Steve will always be with us no matter what."
"I want you three to try to talk to Lenny though Jeannie. I think it could help you and the kids and me too. At least consider it before you say no."
Jeannie promised her father that much at least. The day came that they had to get back to the everyday world. Jeannie reluctantly went back to her job as enviromental architect in San Francisco and the kids back to school. The time passed for each one, nobody had a clue though to the turmoil that was in Mikey's head. Every night he dreamed of Steve seeing him alive and still with them only to wake to reality. The daytime too has brought sightings of Steve not only for Mikey but for each of his loved ones.
Jeannie almost felt as though she were losing her mind one day when she swore she saw him sitting in the chair in front of her desk. She knew that her children were suffering as well as time went on. Reports from teachers told her Mikey's grades had dropped greatly since Steve's death and that Kim had gotten almost completely silent in class and anywhere else.
The weeks passed into months and Jeannie was finally ready for them to talk to Lenny when she got a call from the school.
"Mrs. Keller is Mikey with you? He has not been at school since first period."
"No he isn't. Are you sure he isn't there? Have you checked to see if he is hiding in the restroom or somwhere?"
"We have checked and are still checking but so far there is no sign of him. We have notified the police here to be on the look out for a ten year old boy and gave them a complete description, thanks to your daughter."
"I will call their grandfather just in case he might try to get to him. Thank you for letting me know Mrs. Gallagher I'll pick Kim up as soon as I can arrange the rest of the day off."
Jeannie hung up and called homicide immediately. Mike's extension was answered by Lee Lessing.
"Homicide Stone's office Inspector Lessing speaking."
"Lee it's Jeannie I need Mike it is urgent."
"Just a second Jeannie he is up in Olsen's office I will transfer your call up there."
When the phone was picked up in Olsen's office it again was not Mike and Jeannie was getting more and more agitated. She abruptly told Captain Olsen she needed Mike urgently. He knew that something was desperately wrong from her tone and handed the phone to Mike quickly.
"Stone."
"Mike, it's Mikey he has disappeared. The school just called me, he took off after first period. Has he contacted you?"
"No Jeannie I will get a search going for him here. Has BPD been notified?"
"Yes, the school called them. I can't think where he would be I am scared of what could happen to him."
"I will find him sweetheart. Can you take the rest of the day off and go wait at the house in case he turned up there?"
"I think I can it is almost time for me to leave anyway. I told the school I would pick Kim up as soon as I can arrange the rest of the day off. Mike please call me the second you know anything at all."