6


"Pilar!" Fox cried breathlessly as he ran into the kitchen. The photograph Fox held in his hands filled him with confidence and elation. He convinced himself that he was right and that he knew Theresa's location.

"What is it, Fox?" Pilar asked while still a bit startled from Fox's rushed entrance.

"I think I know where Theresa is." Fox said excitedly. He handed the picture to Pilar and observed her reaction intently. She gazed at the picture briefly, and with eyes full of sympathy she lifted her head to look at Fox. Fox found the hope that the picture gave slowly diminishing. "What is it?" He asked worriedly.

"Fox~" Pilar said. "I don't mean to disappoint you, but Theresa is not with her sister or her aunt and uncle. I've already called and asked. They haven't heard from her."

"Well, maybe they were covering up for Theresa." Fox insisted. "Or maybe they've heard from her in the last few minutes. Pilar, I have the strongest feeling that Theresa is with them. I can't explain why I feel this way, but I'm almost positive that she's with them."

Pilar looked at Fox with skepticism pervading her gaze. "I don't know Fox~" Pilar's voice trailed off.

"Can I at least speak with one of them? Please?" Fox pleaded.

Pilar sighed. "Still as persistent as ever." She said. "Fine." Pilar relented. She reached for a piece of paper and scrawled down the number. "But Fox," Pilar said softly. "Don't get your hopes up."

Fox looked down and nodded. "I know." He said quietly. "I just want to find her so badly so that I can speak with her."

"I know." Pilar said as she placed her hand comfortingly on Fox's shoulder. "I know you do."

Ethan Martin sat quietly at the kitchen table and observed Fox and Pilar with wide inquisitive eyes. "Fox?" He called out.

"What is it buddy?" Fox said as he walked over to the little boy.

"Have you found Mommy yet?" Ethan Martin asked anxiously. His small legs swung back and forth hitting the chair with a loud thump.

"I'm sorry kiddo, but not yet," Fox said quietly.

"Oh." Little Ethan's features frowned in disappointment. He folded his small hands together in his lap and fixed his gaze on the ground.

"I'll find her." Fox said trying to comfort the young child. "Don't worry."

"Promise?" Ethan Martin asked looking up briefly. His eyes were glazed over with impending tears.

"Promise." Fox replied.

Appearing satisfied with Fox's answer, Little Ethan reached for the plate of cookies in front of him. Before he took a bite he glanced at Fox. "Do you want a cookie?" He asked.

Fox was touched by the young child's gesture. "Thanks, pal." He said.

Ethan Martin smiled. "I made them." He said proudly.

"All by yourself?" Fox said trying to appear amazed.

"Well, Grandma helped a little." Ethan Martin admitted.

Fox laughed. "I see."

The smile on Ethan Martin's face vanished as quickly as it had appeared. "I wish I could give Mommy a cookie. She likes cookies." He said sadly.

"Fox, here's the number," Pilar said quietly. You can use the phone in my room if you want. Maria is Theresa's aunt, Francisco is Theresa's uncle, and Paloma is Theresa's sister. I'm not sure who will answer the phone this time. The last time I called, I spoke with Paloma."

"All right," Fox said. "I'll be right back." He said to Little Ethan. Ethan Martin only nodded and took a small bite of his cookie.

After closing the door behind him, Fox headed over to Pilar's desk and reached for the phone. He dialed the number and waited impatiently for someone to answer.

"Hello?" Fox heard a woman answer.

"Hello, my name is Fox Crane. Uh- would this happen to be Maria or Paloma?"

"This is Maria." Theresa's aunt answered in surprise. "Um, you said your name was Fox?" She asked.

"Yes." Fox replied simply. "I'm sure you are familiar with my family in Harmony."

"Yes." Maria replied tight lipped. "My niece almost married Ethan Crane, but then he turned out to be Ethan Winthrop, and well~" Maria's voice trailed off.

"Yeah, Ethan's my half brother." Fox replied unenthusiastically.

"I see." Maria responded. "Fox, may I ask why you are calling?"

"It's about Theresa." Fox said quickly. "Do you know where she is?"

There was a slight pause before Maria answered. "I'm sorry, but no I do not." Maria forced herself to say.

Fox sighed deeply. "Oh." He said disappointedly. "I wish I knew where she was." Fox mumbled.

"May I ask why?" Maria replied.

"I really need to speak with her." Fox answered.

"Are you and Theresa good friends?" Maria asked.

"We used to be very close until~" Fox paused and sighed.

"Until what?" Maria asked softly.

"Until I screwed everything up." Fox replied miserably. "I need to apologize to her. I need to salvage what's left of our friendship."
"Per- perhaps you should speak to Theresa's sister, Paloma." Maria said flustered. "Hold on."

Taken a little off guard, Fox managed to mumble his thanks and waited. He closed his eyes and prayed that Paloma would somehow give him a clue as to where Theresa may have gone. Fox needed to know where she was and if she was okay. Not knowing was driving Fox insane. Please don't let this be a dead end. Fox whispered to himself.