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Chapter Eight
It had been all too easy sneaking back into the house. Nobody even noticed that I was gone, at least not that I know of.
Cee and I had gone to the Coffee Clutch after that scene at the restaurant. It was way too early for Cee to go back home after what, 15 minutes into her date?
All that would add up to is continuous questions from her mom, who wasn't that excited about CeeCee's date in the first place.
That fight between Paul and Adam was priceless. Who would have thought that Adam cared so much? Basically Adam had been giving Cee the cold shoulder since the Winter Formal. He didn't even try making sexual jokes…the way he used to.
Oh and the whole year-in-Maine thing Adam did, didn't help either.
So there I was, dozing in and out of sleep, when I thought about Gina.
Why, as her dad said, would she be taken to the Shadowland? I mean, unless she went into the light or went through one of the doors --which would be pretty stupid on Gina's part-- she wouldn't be stuck there or something, would she?
Well she's got to be. Either that, or she's giving me the silent treatment.
What about Jesse? Where is he? He's been avoiding me a lot lately and not even returning my phone calls. Jesse has got to be sneaking around for one reason or another.
Oh, great. Could he be cheating? No, Jesse would never, ever, do that.
Half of me wanted to believe that he is you know, looking for something to secure our relationship, if you catch my drift.
But the other half, I'm not so sure about.
I settled on the first half, because I'm probably right, with any luck. Plus, I really didn't want to stress out right before I nodded off or I might wake up with an unwelcome bump on my face in the morning.
That morning, I woke up to he whispers of my mom and Andy. Oh, and the constant touching of my forehead didn't exactly keep me asleep either.
"She seems a little warm Andy. I think she should stay home today, just to see how it goes, you know?" My mom whispered.
Andy sighed. "Maybe we should just wake her up and see how she feels before we decide anything."
"No need to do that." I groaned. "I'm up."
"Oh honey, sorry about that. Are you feeling okay?" My mom said.
"Yeah yeah, I'm fine. What time is it?" I said as I sat up on my elbows. My mom sat down on the end of my bed and Andy checked the digital clock on my desk.
"Nine-o-clock." He said.
I dropped my month. "What? You didn't even bother waking me up for school?"
I planned on talking to Father Dom today about the whole Gina thing. Not to mention if he knew anything about Jesse.
Otherwise I really wouldn't have cared if I missed a school day, especially Monday. What would happen? They finally ran out of hot-dogs? Yeah, right.
Completely ignoring my question, Andy kissed my mom on the cheek, said he had to get going, and left.
"I think you should stay home today, Susie." My mom said.
"No really mom, I'm fine." I said.
My mom sighed and felt my forehead again.
"You're staying home." She said in a more stern voice. "And that's final."
Giving up, I responded, "Fine mom, I'll stay, but don't blame me if my grade drops dramatically and I never graduate."
"Don't give me any of that Suze. Listen, I have to get to the station, we're doing a special today and I have to be there." She started walking toward my door. "Oh and since you're feeling okay you can make your own soup, right?"
She didn't wait for me to respond; instead she just smiled and left.
The garage door closed and the house was now empty. Except for me anyway.
Jesse popped into my mind again. Now, that made me even more curious.
This time, instead of calling and asking what was up with him, I was going to find out myself.
I got up, took a quick shower, and got dressed in some flirty outfit. You know, just in case he was home. Then, I grabbed the keys to my car and was on the road.
It was a beautiful day, perfect for going to the beach. Even though all the mist from the ocean hadn't burned off yet, it was still great weather to roll down your windows to.
I arrived at Jesse's apartment no later than 10 minutes tops. I couldn't help but wondering if I would be living there a month from now, after graduation and everything. Maybe even with a ring on my finger.
Climbing the stairs was a little nerve-racking. I mean, what if Jesse was home all along and he was just ignoring me?
There is definitely no excuse, even if his phone was cut-off or something. He could drop by at my house now and then or at least call from a pay phone.
When I reached his door I paused and took a breath. You never know what I could find.
I knocked.
No answer.
"Jesse? Jesse are you home?" I called.
No answer.
I put my hand on the doorknob and turned.
The door opened.
"Jesse?" I called once again.
As I stepped into the apartment, a chill went down my spine.
Not only because the apartment was empty, but also because the refrigerator door was open.
I went over and closed it. There was still a bowl of soggy cereal on the table and an empty glass on the counter.
Whenever Jesse left, he forgot to finish breakfast…
Or he could have been taken.
By whom? A robber? No, nothing looked like it was out of place. Nor was there any sign of struggle if a kidnapper happened to want Jesse.
I went over and pressed the button on Jesse's answering machine. There were five new messages.
I listened for a second, but only to hear myself recite the messages I left days earlier.
As they rang out, I wondered around the apartment. The bed wasn't made and Jesse's radio alarm clock was still going.
Jesse definitely hasn't been here in days.
I wondered back into the main room in the apartment. The answering machine was now coming to a stop. I picked up the phone and called the hospital where Jesse works.
"Carmel-by-the-Sea Hospital." The receptionist said.
"Uh, hi, I was wondering…" I started.
"No emergency?" The voice asked.
"No."
"Please hold."
I sighed. I sat down on one of Jesse's barstools next to the counter. It had only been a couple minutes when the receptionist came back on. "Yes?" She said.
"Hi, I was wondering if Dr. De Silva has been in recently?" I asked.
She paused and started mumbling to a nearby person. A couple seconds later she said, "No, sorry. May I direct you to a different doctor?"
"No, but thanks anyway." I said and hung up.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. It wasn't going to do any good sitting around at Jesse's apartment, so I decided to go back home
I took a longer way home this time, partly to enjoy the breezes and partly to think.
When I got home, there was a note on my end table.
The note said:
Susannah,
I'm very disappointed in you. I told you to stay in bed! I came back to check up on you and I saw your car was gone. Use it while you still can because when I get home, I'm taking your keys. Oh yes, and please don't make any plans other than school for the next couple days. I'm tired of this Susie.
Love,
Mom"Great." I said loudly. Maybe a little too loud because after I did, I heard a voice call up the stairs.
"Susannah is that you?" My mom yelled.
She made her way up the stairs. She opened the door, took one look at me and said, "So you got my note? Sorry babe but as I said, I'm tired of this. If you really want to stop getting grounded, I suggest you do what your told."
"It was important!" I said. I wasn't about to tell her my reason for leaving, though. All I need now is her worrying about Jesse and getting in my way of actually finding him.
But I'm glad she didn't start asking questions. All she said was, "Well, no dates with Jesse until after graduation." She smiled.
"Aren't you supposed to be attending a special at the station?" I snapped.
"They moved it to tomorrow." She started digging through my drawer. Satisfied, she came up with my silk lounging pajamas and threw them on my bed. "Put those on and go back to bed! I'll check up on you in a little." She said.
I didn't have anything else to do, now that my mother was hovering over me, so I did as I was told. When I heard her coming up the stairs, I hopped in bed and pretended to sleep.
I wasn't very convincing though. "Susannah." She said while putting a fresh pile of magazines on my bed. "I know you can't fall asleep that fast, nice try though."
I rolled over and sat up. Cosmo was on the top. I laughed at the magazines. I hadn't even gotten through the first one from yesterday. "Thanks." I responded, nodding toward them.
"You're welcome. Now, if you need anything, I'll be downstairs." My mom said and then left.
Great. All my hopes now are relying on a visit from Mr. Augustin, or a phone call at the least.
I guess I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew, I was waking up to the sound of a very familiar voice.
"So it is true. Little Miss. Simon really is sick." Paul said.
