Tim saw Calleigh's SUV pulled into his driveway and he threw the door open before she was even out of the car.
"Did you hear from them?" she asked as she walked, more like ran, up the sidewalk. Tim shook his head. "Oh my God! What if they're lying somewhere in a ditch and their guts are hanging out and... and... what if someone kidnapped them?"
"I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"Who the hell in their right mind would want to kidnap our kids?" Tim asked.
"Parolees! Crazy people! Druggies! Sex offenders!" Calleigh exclaimed and Tim was sure she could rattle off some more if he hadn't stopped her. Gripping her shoulders tightly, Tim forced Calleigh to look at him.
"Shut up."
"But..."
"No buts. No one is coming after them. Nothing. When I got home at six-thirty Christine was not here so I called your house but no one answered. They could be anywhere."
"Anywhere with anybody! What if they hitchhiked out of state?"
"Yes someone is going to pick two 12-year-olds up off the side of the street."
"What if they got on a plane?"
"How are they gonna get a plane ticket?" Tim countered. "Will you relax?"
"How are you so calm?" Calleigh asked.
"Because, being in a state of panic is not going to get us anywhere. I was panicking before when I called you but as you were driving over I thought out all the possibilities. They could be at a friend's."
"They would've called! At least Kelly would've!"
"They could've forgotten. Who's one of Kelly's friends?"
S/C------
"I feel so stupid bothering them. I know that our daughters are not here."
"Calleigh, again, shut up. You expect the worse."
"Well this is new."
"What?" Tim looked down at her.
"You being all optimistic and I'm being all pessimistic." Calleigh replied as the door opened. "Sandy!"
"Hi Ms. Duquesne. Um... what can I do for you?"
"Is Kelly here?"
"Sandy, who's at the door?"
"Kelly's mom." she called back. An older version of Sandy appeared and smiled.
"Calleigh, hi. And um... who's this?" she asked, nodding at Tim.
"My husband." she said quickly but Tim heard her and hoped the surprise was not shown on his face. "Sandy, is Kelly here? Or Christine? Or both of them?"
"No... they were fighting today at school though." she replied.
"What do you mean?" Tim asked.
"Kelly was being really nasty to Christine and Christine mumbled something about she hopes you two don't get back together because she doesn't want to deal with a sister like Kelly. So Kelly got mad and they started fighting. They ran off in different directions after school."
"We haven't been here long enough for Christine to know where we live." Tim muttered.
"So she's anywhere!" Calleigh exclaimed hysterically. "Thanks for your time."
She quickly pulled Tim back to the car, where she began crying uncontrollably. Tim awkwardly pulled her into a hug the best he could over the armrest.
"I'm sure they're fine." he murmured. Calleigh nodded and Tim wiped her tears away. "We got to come up with something."
Calleigh suddenly sat up and started the car.
"Whoa, quick change." Tim said slowly. "Where we going?"
"The park..."
"Why?"
"Because when Kelly gets mad that's where she goes." Calleigh replied as thunder boomed overhead.
"Well we better hurry. It's gonna pour any minute." Tim said. "What about Christine?"
"You think there's a slight possibility that they're together?"
"Hopefully."
S/C----------
By the time Calleigh pulled up to the park it was already raining pretty bad. She quickly ran out of the car and Tim followed her as best he could.
"Calleigh, wait up!" he yelled over the rain. "Damn woman..."
When Tim finally caught up, Calleigh was leaning against the jungle gym, a lost look on her face.
"I thought she'd be here!" she exclaimed, tears mixing in with the rain that pelted her face. Tim pulled her into a tight hug and she cried into his chest. He kissed the top of her head lightly and she looked up at him. "I don't know what to do anymore!"
"There's got to be some other places where they are." Tim said. Calleigh shook her head.
"I don't know! Oh God Tim, I want them back!"
"I know. I do too."
"No, right now!"
"What do you think I want them ten hours from now? I wish they'd just crawl out of that tunnel thing over there and run over." Tim said. "I think I should become a psychic."
"I don't want to listen to your stupid jokes right now." Calleigh mumbled.
"My jokes aren't stupid and I should become a psychic because someone, well two someones just came out of that tunnel thing I was talking about."
"What?" Calleigh pulled away from him and turned around to see two girls running over. "Kelly! Chrissy!"
They each went to either of their parents, who held onto them tightly.
"Come on, get in the car. We'll talk later." Tim said.
"Your father's right." Calleigh nodded. "We'll be lucky if all don't catch pneumonia."