Find Layla by Meg Elison

Author:Meg Elison [Elison, Meg]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781542019804
Google: UCGnywEACAAJ
Amazon: 154201980X
Publisher: Skyscape
Published: 2020-09-01T23:00:00+00:00

Saturday Morning

I slept past dawn, and I can’t figure out what time it is. I wanted to get started earlier, but whatever.

Nobody’s outside. The whole block is quiet. After I’ve slipped out, I can see kids watching cartoons through their closed windows. Saturday seems like the best day to do this.

It’s only a few minutes’ walk back home, but it seems to take forever. I avoid the main roads, and I keep looking over my shoulder. I’m sure no one is following me. But still.

Mom’s office has had the same lock code since her very first day. She sent me over dozens of times, to get something she forgot or to check something for her.

The chair is empty, but it feels like she’s there. As I sit down, I wobble the glass ashtray and a few butts overflow onto the desktop. Jiggle the mouse and her computer wakes up, tabs still open.

She looked at a lot of ways to get out of town. There are tabs open looking at trains and buses and a couple of posts from people looking to share a ride.

Her email is still open. There are two emails from CPS. One looks like a form letter, but the other one seems like it came from a real person. It doesn’t tell me anything new, though.

I dial into her office voicemail and listen to two complaints about broken mailboxes and one person looking for an apartment. Then the calls from CPS start.

“Ms. Thompson, this is Anne Cox with Child Protective Services. Please give me a call . . .” She rattles off a phone number and that’s that.

“Ms. Thompson, this is Julius Evans with Child Protective Services. I’m here at Brookhurst Junior High, attempting to interview your daughter . . . uh . . . Layla. They’ve informed me she did not attend class today. I’d like to speak with both of you. Please call me back at . . .”

I wonder who he talked to at my school. Raleigh? That old-lady registrar who always yells at me when I’ve been absent?

“Mrs. Bailey—Ms. Thompson, I mean, this is Mona Monroe at Maxfield Elementary. Your son, Andrew, has just been signed out by two officers of the court who are attempting to reach you. Please call me at . . .”

“Darlene, this is Bette. I know that today has probably been pretty hard, but please try to understand that we’re all trying to help you. And your kids. Okay? Just let us help you. Okay. Bye.”

The next voice is deep, almost booming. “Mrs. Bailey, this is Officer Benson with the Anaheim Police Department . . .”

The hair stands up on the back of my neck. A real actual cop.

“Please contact me regarding your appearance in court.”

His number follows. Holy shit.

“Ms. Thompson, this is Anne Cox again, calling regarding your son, Andrew. He’s been placed in emergency foster care until your hearing on Monday. You are entitled to visitation with him. Please contact me for the information on where he is and how to proceed.

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