The Feathered Bone by Julie Cantrell

Author:Julie Cantrell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2015-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

BEFORE I HEAD TO THE OFFICE, I PULL INTO THE OLD FINA STATION to refill my tank and give Beth a call. Once upon a time we were meeting here as teens, trading cigarettes and wine coolers, chasing Carl and his older friends. Beth served as the designated driver and constant lookout to ensure we wouldn’t be caught. Now a long blank space spreads between Beth and me. No matter how many times she and Preacher insist they don’t blame me for what happened to Sarah, I blame myself.

She answers on the second ring, and I speak with a soft voice, acknowledging the weight of today’s anniversary. “Beth? I’ve got an eight-thirty client, but I’ve cleared my schedule for the rest of the day. I’ll be heading out with fliers. I just wanted to see if you might want to go with me? Or we can go for a walk? Grab some coffee? Anything you need.”

“Thanks, Amanda.”

There’s a pause, and I’m not sure how to fill it. If either of us speaks, we may burst into tears. So we steep in the silence until Beth takes the lead. She tells me their plans for the day include a few television interviews.

“We’ve just finished the local morning shows. We’re trying to keep Sarah’s pictures out there so people won’t stop looking.”

“I’m glad they’re giving you air time.”

“We go in to talk about trafficking. No matter how much we hate it, we’ve been given this platform. We’re trying to make the most of it. Even if it doesn’t bring Sarah back to us, maybe we can at least help other missing children.”

I take a deep breath. My lungs fill with the harsh fumes of gasoline.

“You think she’s being exploited?”

“It’s a possibility,” Beth says. “Preacher’s convinced.”

“I’ll target the typical hot spots again today. I keep thinking there’s something we’re not seeing. Something right in front of our eyes.”

“Thanks, Amanda. As soon as we finish up here, we plan to spend the afternoon out at Jay’s camp. Just the two of us.”

“I’m sorry, Beth. I’d do anything to fix this. To bring her home.”

As I say the words fix this, Carl’s criticisms come rushing back, and my hands begin to shake. What if he’s right? What if what they really need is for me to leave them alone? I set the fuel pump and clasp my hands together. The chemical scent clings to my fingers.

“We don’t blame you, Amanda. We really don’t. It’s . . . it’s all too hard.” Her sigh lasts longer than any I’ve ever heard. For the first time since The Day, I sense she is losing her final bit of faith.

We end the call, and I cap my tank just as Jay pulls his truck to the opposite side of my pump. He smiles and exits the cab. “You still fill up at the Fina? Who does that?”

“Too sentimental for my own good.”

“Yep. Loyal to a fault.” He laughs. “Where are you headed?”

“Work.” We talk around fumes as cars rush by.

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