“Honey? What did you find?”
Thomas came rushing through the door. He stopped dead in his tracks.
He saw the mattress, propped up against the wall. The suitcase, open on the floor. The rows and rows of little bags fanned out across the hardwood. The notebook. The map.
His mouth opened. Nothing came out.
And before I could say a single word, I heard tires on the gravel in our driveway.
I scrambled to the window, still clutching one of the bags in my hand, and yanked the curtain back.
I blinked.
A silver Buick. Slowing to a stop right behind Thomas’s car.
And in the passenger seat, Harold. Calmly adjusting his glasses.
The bag slipped right out of my fingers and hit the floor.
I spun around.
“What did you do?”
Thomas’s face went red.
“I… I called my mom. That was the call. I wasn’t on a work call, I just… I thought it was best if they came and picked up whatever they left. Before you… before we did anything. I didn’t know it was going to be all of… this!” He waved at the floor. “I thought you found, like, a bag of Dad’s pills or something! I thought it would be a five-minute thing!”
“You called your mother before you even looked?”
“She’s my mother, Claire!”
The front door opened before I could think of anything to say to that.
Eleanor came breezing in ahead of her husband. Silver bob perfect. Cream-colored cardigan with the little pearl buttons. And balanced on one palm, a Tupperware container with a loaf of banana bread inside, like this was the most normal Saturday visit in the world.
Harold trailed in after her, hands in his coat pockets. He took one look at my face, and his bushy eyebrows went straight up.
“Sweetheart!” Eleanor said. “We were already halfway here with this, a little thank-you for letting us camp out with you for so long, and then Thomas called and said you were upset about something, so we just drove straight over.”
I couldn’t speak.
I just stepped aside and pointed down the hall toward the guest room. Like a woman pointing at a crime scene.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
At TheArchivists, Ethan specializes in uncovering compelling stories that reflect a wide range of human experiences. His work is celebrated for its authenticity, creativity, and ability to spark meaningful conversations, earning him recognition among peers and readers alike.
Passionate about the art of storytelling, Ethan enjoys exploring themes of culture, history, and personal growth, aiming to inspire and inform with every piece he creates. Dedicated to making a lasting impact, Ethan continues to push boundaries in the ever-evolving world of digital content.