MAP OF THE PROBLEMATIQUE

***Short and, yes, somewhat boring chapter, but important because it furthers the story, of course. :P

Chapter 3: Stepping Out

SEPTEMBER

"Honey, you never call anymore. Is everything okay? You been having more of those dreams?"

I sighed, pushing my long raven hair from my eyes. "I'm fine, Mother, honestly, I am. I just..... I've been tired......"

"Oh, I know, sweetheart. Anything to do with work?"

"Yes-- well, no.... Oh, I don't know, Mother. Partially, yes."

"That customer at work bothering you again?"

"Naw, Jeremy talked to him about it all."

"Ah, good. You know, I always liked that Jeremy, such a sweet young man. You two should go out some time."

"Mother, he's the assistant manager. You know we have a policy against workplace dating. Besides, that's the last thing I need right now."

"I know, I know......." my mother laughed. "Oh, Wendy, you always make me laugh."

"Glad I'm able to help," I smiled.

"You know, you should really tell Detective Bellamy about him."

"Mother, I really doubt he..... you know." There was a pause. Finally, "How's Papa?"

"Oh.... he's to be expected."

"That bad, eh?"

"He's been helping Bill down the street fix the Mecha Bill and his wife've had for a few years."

"The nanny one?"

"Yeah. She's been acting up again."

"That sucks. She kick Tina again?" I opened up the fridge and leaned over to peer into the abyss of the unknown.

"No."

"Oh. Well, good." Finally, a bag of black cherries was fished out.
"Bill."

"Oooh," I winced. There was a beeping sound on my phone. "Incoming Call: JEREMY MATHESON, 555-7129"

"Mom? Work's calling in. I've got to go."

"Alright, Wendy, well..... you take care of yourself, and call if you need anything, you hear?"

"I will."

After a relatively short shift of only three hours (covering for a sick co-worker), I came home to put my things away and turn on the television. My daughter's face flashed across the screen. "Still no word in the kidnapping case of five-year-old Lydia Burton; she was taken from her home in early May of this year and there have been no leads as to her whereabouts. Police originally suspected the girl's absent father, but his alibi still stands......." I turned down the volume, unable to hear more. I was so tired. Making my way down the hall to my room, I passed hers on the way. The door remained shut, just as I'd left it. LYDIA, big pink and green letters across the door. "I won't stop believing, and I won't stop looking," I whispered, letting my fingertips sweep over the flowery letters.

Slowly opening the door, I gazed in on the little room, still frozen in time. I crawled into her bed to stare up at the ceiling. It was becoming more of a comfort to me than a burden now, being there in her room. I felt as if it were the closest I'd ever be to her again. The colours of the setting sun paintbrushed and bled out above me, and I must have sat there for a while because by the time I opened my eyes again it was dark. It took me a few moments to orient myself, and as I sat up I rubbed my eyes. My watch beeped, and I looked down at my wrist as I illuminated the watch face. 5:00 AM. My eyebrows raised in surprise at how long I'd had been asleep. I didn't bother getting up, instead, rolling over to fall back asleep. I could have slept for as long as I'd pleased, for today was my day off. As a matter of fact, I had the entire weekend off. It was some of the best sleep I'd gotten those months.

The phone rang at eleven as I ate a late breakfast.

"Hello?"

"Wendy!" My sister's voice filled my ear. "How are you feelin, sis?"

"Hey Sallie. Oh, you know.... SSDD, right?"

Sallie groaned sympathetically. "Same shit, different day...."

"Mmm."

"Oh, oh my gosh, it's that weird customer from work, too, isn't it? Stephen, was that his name? Has he bothered you anymore?"

"Well, Jeremy talked to him about it the other day, but Stephen-- yeah, that's it-- anyway he tried calling once, yesterday."

"Girl, you oughta block that number, or something! Ugh. But hey, it's the weekend! You got any special plans? Hmm?" There was a smile in her voice.

"Uh...." I put down the spoon and thought a moment. "Well, I've got to meet with the detective handling Lydia's case at about three today, we're going over some things, and..... well, no, nothing, really. Why?"

"Well..... I was actually hoping you'd come in to Rouge City with me tonight. Now, I've gotta be at work tomorrow at about nine-- only a few hours-- but I'd love to take you out to dinner tonight. It's been hard for all of us, sweetie, what with Lydds being gone...... but I want to do something nice for you. I have someone I'd like you to meet. I realize how stressed out you've been, and I think I know just the thing for you. Whaddaya say?"

"Wha...." I smiled. "O-okay...."

"Don't worry, girl, I'll take you out to dinner, we'll meet up with this friend of mine, it'll be fun!"

I sighed. "Sure thing, Sallie. Sounds like a blast."

"Alright then, I'm picking you up at seven."

"Seven it is."